Danity Kane
| Company type | Musical group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music industry |
| Founded | 2005 |
| Founder | Sean Combs |
| Headquarters | United States |
| Products | Music albums, singles |
Danity Kane is an American musical ensemble that originated during the third installment of MTV's Making the Band in 2005 and was subsequently signed by Sean Combs to Bad Boy Records. The group's latest configuration consisted of Aubrey O'Day, Dawn Richard, and Shannon Bex, following the exits of D. Woods in 2008 and Aundrea Fimbres in 2014.
Their debut album, titled Danity Kane (2006), sold over one million copies domestically and yielded two singles that reached the top 10: "Show Stopper" and "Ride for You." Their sophomore release, Welcome to the Dollhouse (2008), included the top 10 hit "Damaged" and established Danity Kane as the first female act in Billboard history to have their initial two albums debut at number one.
Due to internal conflicts, Sean Combs removed O'Day and Woods from the group during the finale of Making the Band 4 in 2008. The remaining members fulfilled their promotional duties before officially disbanding in early 2009. Subsequently, all members were released from their contracts with Bad Boy Records later that year.
In 2013, four members announced a reunion during the MTV Video Music Awards. However, Fimbres departed in 2014 to focus on her family, leaving O'Day, Bex, and Richard as a trio. After a studio dispute between O'Day and Richard, O'Day and Bex declared another breakup in August 2014. Despite this development, their third album, DK3, was released in October of that year. Following the split, Richard pursued solo projects while O'Day and Bex formed the duo Dumblonde.
The trio reunited again for a tour in August 2018 and released new material as Danity Kane in 2020. Since March 2020, however, the group has been on an indefinite hiatus with no updates on their official Instagram account.
2004–2005: Making the Band 3
In 2004, producer Sean Combs initiated Making the Band 3 to discover a new female supergroup. Collaborating with choreographer Laurie Ann Gibson, vocal coach Doc Holiday, and manager Johnny Wright, he selected 20 aspiring singers from nearly 10,000 applicants to compete in New York City. When narrowed down to seven finalists, Combs was unimpressed with their overall talent and opted not to form a band at that time but offered three contestants—including best friends Aubrey O'Day and Aundrea Fimbres—a second opportunity. These three contestants returned for season two.
At the start of season two, Combs held auditions for additional candidates and chose 20 women who moved into a loft in New York City. Viewers followed the friendship between O'Day and Fimbres—nicknamed "the AUs" and "Aubrea"—as they vied for spots in the group. O'Day quickly became a standout participant. After weeks of rehearsals and promotional appearances—including performing at a Backstreet Boys concert—11 finalists remained. They were sent home for three months to prepare for the final selection process.
The season two finale aired on November 15, 2005, setting new MTV ratings records as five members were selected: O'Day, Wanita "D. Woods" Woodgett, Shannon Bex, Dawn Richard, and Fimbres.
Making the Band 3 then chronicled the formation and early struggles of this newly formed group, named "Danity Kane" after a female anime superhero character created by Richard. The group later appeared on seasons two and three of Making the Band 4, alongside male R&B ensemble Day26 and solo artist Donnie Klang.
2006–2007: Danity Kane
Following several months of studio work, Danity Kane's debut album, titled Danity Kane, was launched in the United States on August 22, 2006. The project featured production from notable figures such as Timbaland, Scott Storch, Rodney Jerkins, Mario Winans, and Ryan Leslie. It achieved impressive sales, moving over 90,000 units on its initial day and surpassing 234,000 copies within its first week. The album entered the U.S. Billboard 200 chart at number one and earned platinum status from the RIAA by November of the same year.
The album’s lead track, "Show Stopper," produced by Jim Jonsin, debuted at number 17 on the Billboard Hot 100 and climbed to a peak position of number 8. Internationally, it secured top 30 placements in countries like Germany and Lithuania. The second single, "Ride for You," produced by Bryan Michael Cox and chosen through a fan vote, premiered its music video on MTV's Total Request Live on December 5, 2006. On that same day, the group also released the holiday-themed song "Home for Christmas," penned by member Dawn Richard.
Between February and May 2007, Danity Kane served as the opening act for Christina Aguilera’s Back to Basics Tour alongside The Pussycat Dolls while simultaneously working on their sophomore album. Although initially scheduled for a late 2007 release, the album's launch was deferred to 2008.
During summer 2007, speculation about a potential split arose amid misinterpreted remarks—especially Aubrey O'Day’s statements regarding The Pussycat Dolls—and members engaging in external ventures such as D. Woods joining The Girl's Club. The group publicly addressed these rumors and reassured fans via their MySpace page on July 25, 2007, affirming their unity and commitment to completing their second album.
2007–2009: Welcome to the Dollhouse, legal issues and breakup
In late 2007, while pursuing individual appearances, Danity Kane appeared on the second season of Making the Band 4, which premiered on January 28, 2008, on MTV. During this period, they recorded alongside solo artist Donnie Klang and fellow group Day26.
The lead single from their second album Welcome to the Dollhouse, titled "Damaged", was digitally released on January 29, 2008. It became their second top ten hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Its music video garnered nominations for "Best Pop Video" and "Best Dancing in a Video" at the MTV Video Music Awards. The album debuted atop the Billboard 200 chart on March 18, 2008, with first-week sales totaling approximately 236,000 units and achieved gold certification from the RIAA by April. By September of that year, sales had exceeded 546,000 copies. The follow-up single released was "Bad Girl".
In 2008, Danity Kane embarked on a headlining tour and appeared in the third season of Making the Band 4, which began airing on August 19. Plans were made for additional singles after "Bad Girl". However, tension between mentor Sean Combs and member Aubrey O'Day—who faced criticism over her provocative image—sparked breakup rumors. During this time O'Day also explored opportunities in Broadway theater.
Despite circulating reports about solo projects—particularly regarding Dawn Richard's potential deal with Bad Boy Records—an Atlantic Records representative confirmed that Danity Kane remained together and was developing a third studio album. Although slated to support Janet Jackson's Rock Witchu Tour, they withdrew due to conflicts with their label. Pre-production sessions for their next album were planned for October 2008.
The group expanded their brand into merchandise by launching a denim collection under Dollhouse and endorsing Visa debit cards through Russell Simmons' Plastic Cash International initiative. They also participated in a PETA awareness campaign and announced plans for fragrance, apparel, and cosmetics lines. Additionally, Richard created a comic book inspired by their superhero-themed name set for release in 2009.
In September 2008, Combs declared that Aubrey O'Day was no longer part of Danity Kane following ongoing disagreements; shortly thereafter D. Woods was also dismissed due to internal strife. Combs attributed O'Day’s departure largely to changes in her public persona. Post-departure, Woods aimed to join another ensemble called Girls Club while O'Day pursued solo endeavors. Richard commented that O'Day’s sexually charged image conflicted with the group's younger audience demographic.
By January 28, 2009, Dawn Richard confirmed that Danity Kane had officially disbanded. Although Combs invited all former members back for the subsequent season of Making the Band, only Richard and Aundrea Fimbres returned. Contracts for O'Day, Woods, Bex, and later Fimbres were terminated by Combs; Richard remained under contract. O'Day expressed hope that fans would continue supporting Danity Kane—the group that launched her career—and remained open to future reunions.
On April 30, 2009, MTV broadcasted "The Rise and Fall of Danity Kane," a documentary chronicling the group's inception and eventual breakup.
2013–2014: Reunion, DK3, and subsequent disbandment
In May 2013, O'Day, Bex, Richard, and Fimbres began discussions about reuniting and shared images from their studio sessions. The reunion was officially revealed during the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards, featuring the four returning members without Diddy. They announced plans for a new track titled "Rage," produced by The Stereotypes, who had also worked on "Damaged." Original member D. Woods chose not to rejoin but extended her best wishes to the group.
Their first live appearance in over five years took place at the iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas on September 21, 2013, where they delivered an a cappella rendition of "Damaged." They confirmed working with notable producers such as James Fauntleroy, Dem Jointz, Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, Timbaland, Da Internz, and The Stereotypes for their upcoming album. Their initial reunion show was held in December 2013. On March 15, 2014, they performed "Bye Baby" at Fort Cheyenne in Las Vegas. The announcement of their "No Filter" tour followed, set to start in May 2014.
Danity Kane unveiled their first official single after reuniting, "Lemonade," on May 15, 2014. The Stereotypes produced this track featuring rapper Tyga and included a sample from Clipse’s 2002 hit "Grindin'." During the opening night of their #NOFilter Tour on May 16 at The Fillmore in San Francisco, Fimbres revealed she would exit the group once the tour concluded; O'Day, Bex, and Richard planned to continue as a trio.
"Lemonade" became available for purchase on iTunes on May 28, accompanied by a lyric video on YouTube showcasing child actors impersonating the three members.
On August 4, 2014, an incident occurred in a Los Angeles recording studio where Richard reportedly struck O'Day. Following rumors about the event, O'Day and Bex officially declared the group’s second breakup on August 8. Despite this development, they announced on September 24 that their third album, DK3, was slated for release on October 28. After the split, Bex and O'Day formed the duo Dumblonde while Richard embarked on a solo career.
2018–2020: Second reunion and pause
In August 2018, Bex, O'Day, and Richard revealed plans for The Universe Is Undefeated Tour, with O'Day and Richard confirming they had resolved previous differences. The concert setlist was structured into three segments: featuring material from Bex and O'Day’s duo project Dumblonde, highlighting Richard’s solo work, and concluding with Danity Kane performances. In January 2019, during a Houston tour date and via Instagram, O'Day confirmed that new Danity Kane music was forthcoming.
Following nearly a year of touring with Danity Kane alongside Dumblonde and Richard’s solo acts, the trio released "Neon Lights" under the Danity Kane name on June 24, 2019. To promote this single, they hosted a two-day interactive experience called "Choose Your Own Adventure," allowing fans to decide the setlist for the first portion of each show.
In 2020, Danity Kane issued the EP Strawberry Milk, which included singles such as "Fly" and "Boy Down." Although launched under the Danity Kane brand, the EP was also promoted as Aubrey X Dawn. During an Instagram Live session, O'Day explained that Bex was absent due to her focus on developing her business venture Vooks. She stressed that Danity Kane serves as a platform representing women regardless of lineup changes and affirmed that all former members remain welcome. On March 19, 2020, the duo released their third collaborative single titled "New Kings." Since then, the group has entered an indefinite hiatus.
2025–present: Third Reunion and Return Tour
On October 5, 2025, after nearly six years since their previous Instagram update, Danity Kane revealed plans for nine performances under their “Untold Chapter Tour.” They characterized this event as “not a comeback but a revelation,” accompanied by the hashtag #TheUntoldChapter.
Discography
- Studio Albums
- Danity Kane (2006)
- Welcome to the Dollhouse (2008)
- DK3 (2014)
Tours
As Headliners
- Jingle Ball Tour (2006)
- Making the Band 4 – The Tour (2008)
- #NoFilterTour (2014)
- The Universe Is Undefeated Tour (2018–19)
- The Untold Chapter Tour (2025)
As Supporting Act
- Never Gone Tour (2005)
- The Monkey Business Tour (2006)
- Back to Basics Tour (2006–07)
#NoFilterTour (2014)
| Date | City | Country | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 16 | San Francisco | United States | The Fillmore |
| May 18 | Anaheim | The City National Grove of Anaheim | |
| May 21 | Chicago | House of Blues | |
| May 22 | St. Louis | The Pageant | |
| May 23 | Cincinnati | Bogart’s | |
| May 24 | Detroit | The Fillmore | |
| May 25 | Cleveland | House of Blues | |
| May 28 | Charlotte | The Fillmore | |
| May 30 | Boston | House of Blues | |
| May 31 | Silver Spring | The Fillmore | |
| June 1 | Philadelphia | Theater of The Living Arts | |
| June 3 | New York City | Irving Plaza | |
| June 5 | San Diego | Humphrey’s by The Bay |
Members
| Member | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2013 | 2014 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dawn Richard (2005–2009, 2013–2014, 2018–2020) |
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| Aubrey O'Day (2005–2008, 2013–2014, 2018–2020) |
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| Shannon Bex (2005–2009, 2013–2014, 2018–2019) |
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| Aundrea Fimbres (2005–2009, 2013–2014) |
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| D. Woods (2005–2008) |
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Awards and Nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Urban Music Awards | "Best Group – Female" | Danity Kane | Template:Won |
| 2007 | Poptastic Awards | "Best Ringtone" | "Show Stopper" | Template:Nom |
| Soul Train Music Awards | "Best R&B/ Album Group, Band or Duo" | Danity Kane | Template:Nom | |
| 2008 | BET Awards | "Best Group" | Danity Kane | Template:Nom |
| Teen Choice Awards | "Best R&B Track" | "Damaged" | Template:Nom | |
| rowspan=2 | MTV Video Music Awards | "Best Pop Video" | Template:Nom | |
| "Best Dancing in a Video" | Template:Nom | |||
| "Best R&B / Hip-Hop Song" | Template:Nom | |||
| "Favorite Group / Band" | Danity Kane | Template:Nom | ||
| "Album of the Year (R&B)" | Welcome to the Dollhouse | Template:Won | ||
| "Off the Hook Award (R&B)" | Damaged | Template:Won | ||
| "Las Culturistas Culture Awards" | "Best Way To Ride With Your B*tches" | "Show Stopper" | Template:Nom |
External links
- Articles with short description
- Contestants on American reality television shows
- Winners of singing competitions
- Artists signed to Bad Boy Records
- American pop ensembles
- American contemporary R&B groups
- Female musical groups from the United States
- American pop female groups
- Musical acts formed in 2005
- Musical acts disbanded in 2009
- Musical acts reunited in 2013
- Musical acts disbanded in 2014
- Musical acts reunited in 2018
- Musical acts disbanded in 2020
- American five-member musical groups
- 2005 establishments in New York City
- Musical groups disestablished in 2009