For millions of ACEs around the world, BGYO represent a soundtrack to growing up, falling in love, and owning your truth. Since their 2020 debut with “The Light,” the five-member Filipino group—Gelo, Akira, JL, Mikki, and Nate—have grown into one of Southeast Asia’s most exciting acts, balancing expansive vocals, sharp choreography, and music that speaks directly to their generation.

More recently, BGYO returned with their EP Headlines, with a bold, Y2K-inspired R&B title track reimagined through a modern lens. Powered by sleek beats and honeyed vocals, the single serves as an anthem about being fearless in how you express yourself and who you love; and with contributions from heavyweight producers like Leather Jacket (Ariana Grande, Jason Derulo) and Courtlin Jabrae (Usher, Cardi B), the track positions BGYO at the forefront of a new global sound while still staying true to their roots.

Headlines arrives on the heels of the group’s previous self-titled EP, which explored everything from heartfelt ballads (“Divine”) to emo-tinged pop rock (“Heartstrings”). It also follows the continued success of “All These Ladies,” which further cemented their playful, charismatic side with repeat listeners. So, whether on stage at sold-out shows, millions of streams, or even through music videos that rack up millions of views, BGYO has proven that they can seamlessly shift between styles while maintaining a core identity built on authenticity and heart.

Now, BGYO is opening up to Stardust to talk “Headlines,” their growth, and the story they want to tell moving forward.

“Headlines” feels both nostalgic and fresh, pulling from early 2000s R&B while still sounding modern. What drew you to this style for your new single?

Nate: We were drawn to this single because we wanted the style to match the feeling of being proud of who you love, while at the same time sounding fun and easy to dance and party to.

Mikki: It’s also a genre that we’ve always wanted to explore, and for me, the sound fits our youthful energy. Very good dance song, but also a good song to vibe/ party to from the moonlight to the sunlight!

The song is about owning love boldly and without hesitation. Was there a particular moment or feeling that inspired you to deliver that message now?

Nate: For this single, we wanted a song that anybody can vibe to, and we wanted it to match the vibe of being loud and proud about showing your love for someone, so loud that your love can make the headlines.

You’ve worked with producers who’ve crafted hits for artists like BTS, BLACKPINK, Ariana Grande, and Usher. What did you take away from collaborating with such an experienced team?

Akira: It was an amazing experience. These producers have worked with some of the biggest artists in the world. And the level of detail, creativity, and emotion they put into their craft is amazing. They really inspired us to be better and to grow more as an artist.

Gelo: We picked up a lot from them, how they work, how they build a song’s vibe, and how open they are to ideas. It really pushed us to step up and keep improving what we do.

Mikki: Their ideas are so good, and they really motivated me to push myself more when it comes to songwriting and producing. What I also love about our studio session is how all the writers and producers work together. Listening to each other’s ideas, and how to blend it all together. A very special experience for me.

Your new EP showed different sides of BGYO, from emotional ballads to high-energy tracks. How does “Headlines” fit into that journey of exploring your sound?

Nate: Our EP fits perfectly because “Headlines” is about the journey of love, from appreciating the beauty of all these ladies from afar, to being in love and celebrating that love loud and proud in the headlines. And the heart of the EP is “Dance With Me,” which expresses a desire to connect with someone on a deeper level. This journey shows that love isn’t just loud, it’s also soothing and can heal your heart like Aloe Vera.

Gelo: “Headlines” shows how much we’ve grown in trying new things while still keeping our sound. Each track represents a side of us we’ve been wanting to show, and it’s part of our journey to keep discovering what fits us best. We are really very proud, happy, and excited with our sound now and our future releases.

Fans love your live performances—dynamic, emotional, and full of energy. How are you preparing to bring “Headlines” as a single and body of work to the stage?

JL: We’ve been preparing a lot for this! Every time we perform, we want to give something new. For “Headlines,” we’re focusing on how to deliver both the message and energy live, so our listeners can really feel the story behind the song.

Gelo: We’ve been preparing together, working on our dance choreographies, how we project, and how we perform our parts with soul. We want to bring the energy of “Headlines” on stage so every performance feels real and connects with people. It’s a really different feeling when it’s live and we get to share that energy with everyone watching.

The ACEs have been with you since day one. What role did they play in motivating you during this new release?

JL: ACEs have always been our biggest source of strength. Whenever things get tough or we start to doubt ourselves, we think about them, their support, their love, the energy they put into us, and they remind us why we do what we do. This release is really for them, because they’ve been part of our journey since day one.

You performed at Summer Sonic music festival in Bangkok and had your own first solo concert —what does it mean to bring P-pop to such a global stage?

Akira: Being able to bring OPM to an international stage feels surreal, and having our first-ever solo concert is a big moment for us. We want people to see and feel the passion, talent, and heart that Filipinos put into our music. It’s also one way of showing the world what OPM is all about.

Looking ahead, what can fans expect from BGYO’s next chapter with this new EP? Are there sounds, stories, or collaborations you’re especially excited to explore?

Gelo: With this new EP, our listeners can expect a more mature and diverse BGYO. We’re also excited to collaborate with more songwriters and producers, both local and international, to keep evolving our sound while staying true to who we are.