Kent teenager John Fadare joins Simon Cowell’s new boy band while continuing his studies

John Fadare, a 17-year-old student from Rochester, Kent, has taken a major step into the music industry after being selected for a new boy band created by music mogul Simon Cowell. Having sung as a chorister at school for five years, Fadare’s musical journey began quietly, often singing to himself as a child. Over time, his interests shifted toward pop music, which he found more enjoyable and expressive. This passion ultimately led him to audition for Cowell’s latest project, despite initial hesitation.

Fadare revealed that he almost did not attend the audition and only did so after encouragement from his father. Thousands of teenagers competed for a place in the group, making the selection process highly competitive. After progressing through multiple rounds, Fadare was flown to Miami along with 15 other finalists for the final stages of auditions. The entire process is documented in the Netflix series The Next Act, offering viewers insight into the pressure and excitement of forming a new pop group.

The resulting band, named December 10, consists of seven teenage members and released their debut single, Run My Way, on Friday. Simon Cowell commented in the series that Fadare made a strong impression during their conversation, noting his maturity, understanding, and likeability—qualities Cowell believes audiences will connect with.

Despite his rapid rise in the music world, Fadare has chosen to remain grounded by continuing his education. He is still attending school, where he is studying music, drama, and English to complete his A-levels. Balancing school life with international travel to cities such as New York and Los Angeles has been surreal for the teenager, who described the experience as ‘madness’ but also deeply fulfilling. While classmates are sometimes unsure how to act around him, Fadare says he is happy to live between these two very different worlds as he builds his future.