Group Photo of the 8 Members of AVANT during Fête de la Musique 2026.
*order from left to right (standing): ZY, MARY (Leader), ANYA, ELLE
*order from left to right (seating): JAJA, MADDIE, LOUIE, ANJ
‘Photographed by Curated by Caelle
A new era of Gen Z representation is unfolding in the local music scene as AVANT, an eight-member Filipina-forward girl group, officially embarks on its journey into the music industry with the release of its pre-debut single, “Reaching For The Stars.”
Designed as a space for collective aspirations, the collective aims to break barriers, champion individuality, and advance culture through authentic storytelling and creative performance.
A Fearless Fusion of Fashion, Film, and Advocacy
AVANT derives its name from a blend of three key concepts: “avante,” “abante babae,” and “avant-garde.” More than just a traditional music group, AVANT serves as an empowering platform that fuses fashion and film into its creative identity. The group seeks to redefine industry standards by adopting an unconventional, fearless, and innovative approach while pushing Filipina representation forward on both local and international stages.
Taking a hands-on approach to their craft, all eight members are intentionally involved in the creative process behind both their audio tracks and visual concepts.
Eight Distinct Voices, One Shared Purpose
The group brings together eight multi-talented members who each contribute distinct strengths and complementary roles. Mary leads the team as the Leader, Main Rapper, and Face of the Group, joined by Zy as the Global Representative, Lead Rapper, and Fake Bunso. Maddie serves as the Performance Center, Main Dancer, and Anchor of the Group, while Jaja fills the role of Lead Vocalist, Androgynous Icon, and Physical Representative.
The lineup is completed by Louie as the Main Dancer and Moodmaker, Elle as the Versatile Center and Monster Rookie, Anya as the Main Visual, Lead Dancer, and Lead Rapper, and youngest member Anj as the Main Vocalist and Golden Ace.
Together, the members embody diverse stories of Gen Z youth and progressive Filipina womanhood. AVANT actively champions inclusivity by celebrating a wide spectrum of ages, heights, body types, and skin tones. Diversity is heavily woven into the group’s identity, proudly including members of the LGBTQIA++ community such as lead vocalist and Muay Thai athlete Jaja.
Building Momentum from Runways to Major Stages
Prior to their official recording debut, AVANT established a solid reputation through a series of high-profile live appearances. The group became a regular feature at the Tatler-recognized, women-led HER Market pop-up bazaar and performed at The Weekend Market at SM Mall of Asia North Arcade in November 2025. That same month, they appeared as special guest performers at the iAcademy Makati Nexus Campus OEMZ: The Vault Fashion Show on November 22, 2025.
Following an official public introduction during a mini showcase on December 7, 2025, AVANT expanded its footprint in 2026 through a collaboration with SM Malls to create brand content and promote the company’s official theme song. Most recently, the group served as the closing act on the Juniper Stage at Fête de la Musique 2026 on June 27, 2026, held at McKinley Whisky Park in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.
Launching ‘Reaching For The Stars’
To commemorate their official entry into the music industry as recording artists, AVANT hosted a special media conference at Lost Spirit Makati, gathering content creators and media guests. The event preceded the global release of their pre-debut single, “Reaching For The Stars,” on July 3, 2026, across major digital streaming platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Deezer, and Amazon Music, alongside an official music video premiere on YouTube.
‘Executive Producer: Khurt Go, Music Video Produced by: Jian Carlo Antonio, Joey Paule, Curated by Caelle, Adrian Dano, and Khurt Go
The inspirational track chronicles the journey of eight young women pursuing their lifelong dreams while building a deep sense of belonging in each other’s presence. Grounded in conviction and hope, “Reaching For The Stars” serves as an open invitation for listeners and viewers to join AVANT as they redefine modern P-pop and empower audiences nationwide.