3Quency Sang in the Rain and Performed Sick on Building the Band

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Liam Payne, who passed away, felt that the pop industry should be worried about the girl group 3Quency, as he stated in the finale of Netflix’s Building the Band. This trio, consisting of Brianna Mazzola (age 24), Nori Royale (also 24), and Wennely Quezada (25), was a surprise contender on the new reality show. Here, bands form for the first time in each other’s presence, similar to Love Is Blind. While some groups faced issues with group dynamics, 3Quency hit the ground running, practicing together even during challenging circumstances like singing in the rain and rehearsing non-stop on Mazzola’s birthday. Judges Payne, Nicole Scherzinger, and Kelly Rowland commended their impressive vocals and dance skills, which they thought were ready for awards shows. In the end, 3Quency outshone other favorite groups like SZN4, winning the $500,000 grand prize.

Despite Mazzola, Royale, and Quezada now publicly enjoying their triumphant conclusion (approaching a year since filming), some parts of the internet still focus on the early phase of 3Quency’s journey. On social media platforms, many have voiced anger regarding an instance in the blind booths where the group opted not to include singer Bri Gilyard in their lineup. Royale has faced criticism from those who attribute the decision – a collective choice according to 3Quency – to her alone, and blame her for what 3Quency stresses was a decision reflecting the three-piece structure of groups like Destiny’s Child and TLC. The group now aims to redefine their story from the show experience and dispel any rumors of tension with fellow contestants – in reality, the show felt more like a summer camp than a ruthless competition, as Mazzola explains, “The conversations we had with people during those weeks and hours were condensed into minutes for home viewers. Our actual experience differed greatly from what viewers perceive.

3Quency always seemed like the underdogs in the competition, as they were rarely the first group announced as safe. Heading into your final performance, how certain were you that you would emerge victorious?

Brianna Mazzola: It’s amazing! We used to whisper among ourselves, “Say 3Quency, say 3Quency,” hoping for a miracle. We believed in the power of spoken words and kept praying, “Give it to us, we will continue to push ourselves.” Week after week, each performance gave us an opportunity to evolve and reveal new aspects that audiences hadn’t seen before.

Nori Royale: Whether we’ve faced victories or setbacks before stepping onto the stage, our mindset has always been: “We will give it our best shot and emerge victorious.” This is not arrogance, but a belief in our abilities and the synergy of our talents. When manifesting success, there should be no room for self-doubt in your thoughts.

Brianna: Well, we’ve been brainstorming and strategizing. We’ve been visiting various recording studios, collaborating with diverse producers, aiming to refine the group’s unique sound. Mostly, this past year has been about development for us in terms of 3Quency.

Wennely Quezada: For our debut album or single, we’re drawn to the pop and R&B vibe. Our music aims to get you dancing, but also empowers women and offers some slow, melodious ballads too. It’s a blend of upbeat and romantic tunes.

Did your dancing significantly enhance your performances and make you stand out from other bands? When did you recognize that this could be a hidden advantage for you?

Our answer to that question came about in the rehearsal room. We asked questions like, “Do you dance?”, “How long have you been dancing?”, and “Are you comfortable dancing in high heels?” This was important to us all because we wanted to incorporate it into our performances. However, in the song “Have Ever,” we didn’t dance due to being seated, but even then, we managed a quick little move or two, adding a touch of the “Dreamgirls” flair.

As a follower, I felt that many had presumptions about our capabilities. Yet, we made it clear that we aim to surpass those expectations, demonstrating our extraordinary potential. We’re determined to put in the effort, pushing ourselves beyond our personal limits, not just as individuals but also collectively as a team.

NR: Clock it! [All three snap and point to invisible watches on their wrists.]

It was clear that the show highlighted the immense effort 3Quency had invested. By any chance, what was the longest day you both worked straight through without resting? That would have been on the day leading up to Bri’s birthday and her actual birthday. We didn’t get a wink of sleep beforehand, and we stayed awake throughout that entire night.

BM: Indeed, “Have You Ever” was my birthday celebration, and what a significant year it was for me – turning 24 on the 24th of the year ’24! They dressed us in golden attire, which added a lovely touch to the occasion. However, it was an incredibly challenging experience. We were all quite hoarse, slightly unwell, and I even twisted my ankle. There were issues with wardrobe, such as earrings coming loose, adding to the difficulties…

WQ: It was a chaotic day. But once we walked up onstage, we flipped the switch.

In that instant, it became clear to everyone: Regardless of how fast the world spins, we’re all in this together. That’s a positive indication. I believe it was this realization that propelled us forward to the next stage.

As a cinephile, I’m always intrigued by the behind-the-scenes dynamics of a movie set. So, could you enlighten me about your rehearsal methods? From what I gather, it’s not just the three of you acting individually, but there’s this unique element where you run together, which adds an interesting layer to the chemistry on screen.

BM: [Laughs.] When we began working together, I found myself saying, “If we’re going to be the only ones out here truly dancing with energy, we can’t sound winded. Let’s do a quick jog before we start.” I had been doing this for a couple of months prior. It helps me focus and release some nerves, but it also boosts my stamina and breath control. After rehearsals, we’d often be dancing for hours on end. Then I’d suggest, “Alright, ladies, let’s take the 21 flights up to our room, and let’s sing as we ascend!” This was a way for us to keep moving and maintain our energy levels.

In a nutshell, Bri put us through an intense training session. Following a long day of filming and practice sessions, we were still required to climb up the 21 floors.

To put it simply, despite the challenges, we all agreed and gave it our all because we understood the benefits. So, we climbed those stairs, we ran in the rain, doing whatever was necessary to achieve our best results.

BM: And listen, “Have Mercy”? There was not one breath.

NR: No room for breathing.

WQ: So it was definitely worth it.

Revisiting the show, you get a new perspective on what it must have felt like for the singers who didn’t make it into bands. Seeing Bri’s point of view, for instance, was particularly poignant. In the booths, we could only hear what we were singing, but watching now, we see emotions and reactions that we weren’t privy to before. For us, the decision came down to a shared passion for dance. We felt confident in our dancing abilities, and initially, the idea of adding a fourth member was considered, but it was eventually scrapped because other people’s pursuits seemed less dance-oriented. It was primarily a creative choice. There were no hard feelings towards Bri or any other talented singers like Erica, Alison, or Aaliyah – there were so many others we interacted with in the booths. We were simply grateful for having met them all. It’s sad to know that not everyone found their desired success as we did, but we had to trust our instincts and follow our hearts throughout this journey. That was how we navigated the experience.

Have you been in touch with Bri at all? 
[All nod immediately.]

WQ: We’re cool, yeah.

BM: Literally was just texting her.

NR: Ain’t no beef.

Wow, it seems like Alison posted a TikTok featuring you with the caption, “There’s nothing quite like millions critiquing us without ever having met us.” In simpler terms, it looks like she’s saying that people are being quite critical of us without really knowing us!

I expected criticism since I work in this field, but it’s still been challenging for me. Before, if anyone disliked me, they didn’t express it directly. However, now on social media platforms like Instagram, I sometimes have to think twice before posting something because of the potential backlash. Honestly, my friends have been a source of strength and support during these times, especially when I wasn’t used to this kind of attention.

WQ: At all.

BM: To be clear, in Nori’s defense, we all wanted a girl group of three.

In a similar fashion, we were all open to the idea of four. However, we found ourselves pursuing different women. Yet, in conclusion, we all concurred that three simply seemed more appropriate for us.

In essence, I no longer let hateful comments affect me as much. Instead, I tend to find them amusing and respond with a chuckle, thinking something like, “Bri, check out what she said! Oh my goodness!” Then, I simply move on without giving it any further thought. However, I won’t deny that I had to make some adjustments in response.

This educational journey was shared by everyone involved. Originally spanning weeks and hours of discussions, it’s now condensed into brief segments for viewers to enjoy. Just observing her navigate through this process left us feeling…

WQ: “That’s not how it happened!”

In each episode, there’s limited time to include important elements. For us, it was essential to reinforce to Nori that what we portrayed is the truth. Don’t let external influences alter your story. Remember, this is who you are, and we chose you because we recognize your true self. She’s straightforward and honest, and that’s something we emphasized in our discussions. We aimed for three strong-willed women who are clear about their desires. And that’s exactly what we ended up with.

Were there any other moments you wished viewers could have experienced with us? Well, it would have been great if they could see more about how we became closer, like our shared adventures at home – moving beds to the kitchen and sleeping together, roller-skating in socks, baking cookies (and me getting butter in my hair!), feeding everyone the cookies…

BM: With the hair butter. [Laughs.]

I genuinely wished more details about our cozy tea times and those adorable moments you might have overlooked were included.

In various instances, when the cameras weren’t rolling, we found ourselves exclaiming, “You need to capture this!” As comedians, Nori was keeping us in stitches, causing us to tumble onto the bed and roll off the couch. Our comfort level with each other off-set was evident. I believe as more people get to know us through our social media, they’ll truly grasp our unique personalities, for we are open books, revealing all aspects of ourselves.

It would have been interesting to see more about the factors that shaped us into the women we are now and our journeys to this point, since we share such common experiences and grew closer because of them.

AL: There was a glimpse of it when our mothers visited. We hail from extraordinarily large, warm-hearted families, and family is the cornerstone for each one of us. While we were engrossed in work during their stay, taking a brief respite to reconnect with our emotions was a truly moving experience.

Have your moms also stayed close over the past year? 
WQ: Definitely.

NR: They love each other.

BM: They steal our FaceTimes!

WQ: They’ll grab our phones. I’m like, “Girl, they didn’t call you!”

Absolutely, they’ll step outside for a chat without any of us present, much like older counterparts. In essence, they remind me of us in our past. Interestingly, they held hands on their first encounter during the show, making them adorable indeed.

It appears that the members of the Building the Band groups maintain a strong sense of friendship and unity with one another as well.

Frankly speaking, the show felt like a summer camp experience for us. Since we’re staying at a location where there are no cell phones or external communication. All we essentially share is our friendship and camaraderie. Whenever we had a free day or some downtime during filming, everyone would gather back at our place.

NR: Our house was the kickback house. Everybody came to ours.

BM: We’d be playing music …

WQ: We played games …

We were all in sync and enjoying each other’s company. Attending Netflix’s Summer Break event this week has been a delight, as it felt like we picked up right where we left off. It’s heartening to see that the bonds we forged are genuine and authentic, which makes our shared experiences even more meaningful for everyone involved.

It felt just as cozy as being at home, and we’re all mutually encouraging. We genuinely want to witness each other succeeding.

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2025-07-24 02:00