Simon Cowell’s new group, December 10, might be young but they’re not going into this industry blind, especially when it comes to mental health.
Forming on Netflix’s The Next Act, the seven boys were chosen specifically by the X Factor legend to fill that boyband-sized gap.
Despite wanting to carve their own path, the group is distinctly aware of the obvious parallels to One Direction as debut song Run My Way hits the charts.
‘We’re our own thing, and we just want to put out the music,’ said John Fadare, 17, as December 10 chatted to Metro ahead of their first live performances.
‘There’s a famous quote that goes, “Comparison is the thief of joy,” and at the end of the day, we’re just here to do our different thing,’ agreed Nicolas Alves, also 17.
His bandmates teased him about being a ‘philosopher’ as he went on to say they’re a ‘new band’ even with ‘all the comparisons’.
However, some similarities are harder to ignore, especially when it comes to Liam Payne.
‘It was scary for us,’ admitted Seán Hayden, 19, reflecting on the death of the former 1D star, who died aged 31 in October 2024.
Payne fell from a balcony at his hotel after concern around his spiralling mental health, which he had spoken openly about on multiple occasions.
The news broke while Simon and the boys were filming The Next Act, prompting the music mogul to have a serious chat with all the teens and their parents.
‘Seeing his audition, [it] was so similar to us,’ Seán, from Dublin, continued. ‘I could imagine him going into the room for this show and…
He trailed off before collecting his thoughts and adding: ‘Just … our thoughts and prayers go to his family and friends. That was tough.’
Josh Olliver said ‘all their parents struggled’ while Danny Bretherton, both 17, added it was the ‘only downside to all of this’.
‘From the parents’ perspective, it can be a bit scary putting your child into this industry,’ said Nicolas. ‘We’re just grateful that we have such a great team around us to always protect us.’
Cruz Lee-Ojo, 19, proudly shared that Simon and the label have put in place group therapy for the lads, which they’re more than happy to take part in.
Mental health is incredibly important for December 10, who acknowledged that being role models for young men is especially important in today’s climate.
‘A lot of my mates have struggled to talk about their mental health growing up,’ Hendrik Christoffersen reflected. ‘They don’t really talk about their feelings.
‘So we would like to show that if we can do it as seven young lads of different ages, everyone else can. It’s okay to be upset as a young man.’
Danny agreed it ‘isn’t healthy to bottle it up’, encouraging young kids (and adults for that matter) not to hide their feelings.
Perhaps it’s their TV show origins that have made them more willing to chat about their emotions, having had nowhere to hide while on camera.
The Next Act bonded them together as well as with Simon, whom Josh called ‘the dad of the group’, assuring us that they did know who the BGT icon was before auditioning.
‘People have got this image of him through TV, him being this bad guy judge, but no, he’s just really a lovely person, and he’s always in touch with us, checking on how we are,’ added Nicolas.
The whole process felt a little surreal for the teens until they were in the studio actually recording, which Danny called a ‘really special moment’.
December 10 UK shows
December 10 will be performing a string of small shows across the UK, featuring some unreleased tracks as well as covers.
There are still a limited number of tickets available for each show through Ticketmaster.
- Monday, 16 Feb – Oran Mor, Glasgow (2pm, 5pm, 8pm)
- Tuesday, 17 Feb – O2 Academy 3, Manchester (5pm, 8pm)
- Thursday, 19 Feb – O2 Academy Islington, London (4.30pm, 8pm)
- Friday, 20 Feb – O2 Academy 2, Birmingham (1pm, 4.30pm, 8pm)
- Sunday, 22 Feb – Academy Green Room, Dublin (1pm, 4pm, 8pm)
Seán shared how, during their studio sessions for Run My Way, the lads were ‘hitting notes you wouldn’t even expect to be able to do’.
However, the closed studio is nothing like performing live on stage for the first time, which they’re set to do this month.
Josh admitted he was excited but a little nervous about using in-ear monitors for the first time, calling it a ‘whole new ball game’.
Despite the nerves, they already have one eye on the future and are hoping to sell out arenas, maybe win a Grammy… and potentially get a McDonald’s black card.
‘John needs a black card,’ declared Cruz, having expressed the lofty dream of an unlimited free food card for both Nandos and Maccies.
It’s apparently ‘exactly what [they] deserve’, as John clarified that this particular goal is because he used to work at the fast food chain.
Metro teasingly asked if there’s any temptation to go solo in a few years, having seen the excitement around Harry Styles’ return.
Cruz joked that there’s ‘more chance of them being parents first’ than there is of them going solo, resulting in nervous laughter from his bandmates at the concept of having children.
The group told us that they actually have a 10-year pact to stay together, so ‘going solo is definitely not on’… until they’re at least 27.
‘We’re bound to grow,’ shared Hendrik, but they have no fears about it, ‘as long as it’s in a good way.’
As for right now, December 10 ‘just want to put positive energy’ out there through their music.
Cruz concluded: ‘Whatever negativity is happening around you, listen to our music and feel alright for a time.’
December 10’s debut single Run My Way is out, and tickets to their live shows are on sale now.
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