Ally Brooke finished third on X Factor, then took a year to heal

A shy San Antonio singer joined Fifth Harmony

Brooke grew up in San Antonio, Texas, and attended Cornerstone Christian Schools before completing high school through home-schooling. She later recalled being so shy as a child that she sometimes cried or turned around when asked to sing in front of people. Her father kept encouraging her to believe in her talent. In 2012, she auditioned for The X Factor with Jaci Velasquez’s “On My Knees.” Britney Spears heard a “theatrical dynamic” in her voice. Brooke joined the five singers who became Fifth Harmony. Her career continued through the group’s albums Reflection, 7/27 and Fifth Harmony.

She brought women together for a writing camp

Fifth Harmony announced its hiatus in March 2018. That September, Brooke and her team arranged a two-day writing camp at Glenwood Studios with about 15 female engineers, producers and songwriters. Introductions over lunch led into sessions in separate rooms. In Studio B, six women began a song from scratch when a producer picked up a guitar. Brooke described the result as a personal, reflective song she had helped write. The session gave her room to share experiences from her years in the group and contribute her own ideas.

Dance helped her rebuild her confidence

Brooke spent nearly a year searching for her debut single, making 40 or 50 recordings before choosing “Low Key,” featuring Tyga. It arrived in January 2019. That year, Dancing with the Stars gave her another way to work through her insecurities. She told Good Morning America that people had mocked her dancing for years and that she had felt insecure each time she stepped onstage. Rehearsals made her feel stronger, and encouragement from viewers helped her confidence. Partnered with Sasha Farber, she learned dances including the Charleston, Viennese waltz and jive, and finished third.

Her memoir explained the fight for singing parts

In October 2020, Brooke published Finding Your Harmony and spoke about the strain behind her group career. She told Entertainment Tonight that producers, writers and people at the label had decided who received singing parts. She described feeling that she was “losing my identity” as the group became famous. The schedule, time away from family and social media ridicule added to that strain, she said. At points, she called her parents in tears and considered whether she could continue. She chose to stay and expressed pride in the work Fifth Harmony had made. Writing the memoir gave those experiences a place in her own account of her career.

She made Spanish part of her solo music

In August 2021, Brooke spoke about learning Spanish while preparing an album in the language. She told HOLA! that trouble speaking it had been a source of insecurity, and that she had a teacher and planned more intensive lessons. Recording in Spanish was one of her proudest experiences, she said. On October 22, she released “Mi Música,” her first solo single sung entirely in Spanish, with an accompanying video. The song’s message centered on her family, close friends and fans. Her new music also came with new management and a new record label.

A year away changed how she worked

By November 2023, Brooke had returned from a year-long break for her mental health. She told Wondermind that she had spent the time working on herself and attending therapy. She felt lighter, had more energy and missed performing. Her return included reconnecting with Joey Arbagey, who had been her A&R representative in Fifth Harmony. He encouraged her to be herself in recording sessions and invited her to say when she wanted changes. Brooke called that check-in essential. “I just kind of felt lighter and more energetic,” Ally Brooke told Wondermind. She also credited her team and family with helping her through difficult periods.

A Christmas duet renewed an old partnership

Brooke’s Under the Tree EP arrived on November 3, 2023, with four songs, including her solo version of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” A duet with Dinah Jane followed on December 1, with a festive video. Brooke told The Jennifer Hudson Show that they had reunited at Jane’s party after five years without seeing each other. Jane heard the EP while driving in Los Angeles traffic and wanted to join it. The duet became the first shared song by Fifth Harmony members since the group’s hiatus. For Brooke, the holiday project also fulfilled a goal she had held since childhood.

Her 2025 work reached fashion and a private wedding

In January 2025, Brooke launched Bold Elements x Ally Brooke with JCPenney. The collection drew on her own difficulty finding clothes that fit and included 29 pieces in petite, standard and plus sizes. She said she wanted women to feel confident in clothes that suited them. On May 3, she married Will Bracey at the Hotel Bel-Air in Los Angeles, with only their officiant, Judah Smith, attending. Bracey had worked as Fifth Harmony’s tour manager when they first met. Brooke wore a Lee Petra Grebenau dress and walked down the aisle as violinist Ben Hoyt played Kari Jobe’s “Holy Spirit.” She and Bracey exchanged traditional and personal vows.

She teased a new remix with Dinah Jane

In 2026, Brooke released “Dignity” with DJ Buddha on May 15, followed by “Baby Girl” on July 17. Both releases carried the Rising Sun Productions name. She co-wrote “Baby Girl” with Álvaro Rodriguez, Omar Tavarez, Lita and Troy Scott, adding her own writing to the Latin-influenced track. On October 21, Brooke and Dinah Jane teased a remix of the song. That teaser brought Jane into a track Brooke had already released under her own name, extending their partnership into another part of her solo work.

• Ally Brooke: career and music
• Listen to Ally Brooke on Spotify
• Listen to Ally Brooke on Apple Music
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• Listen to “Dignity” on Apple Music
• Listen to “Baby Girl” on Apple Music