Girl Authority
American cover pop girl group of nine tweens.
Girl Authority was an American cover pop girl group formed in the summer of 2005. The group consisted of nine girls, ages 8 to 13 at the time: Jacqueline Laviolette, Carly Grayson, Jessica 'Jess' Bonner, Crystal Evans, Kate Barker, Zoë Virant, Jessica Tarr, Gina Miele, and Alexandra 'Alex' Bilbo. They were established by vocal coach and executive producer Samantha Hammel, Grammy-winning producer Scott Billington, and Rounder Records CEO John Virant, who was also the father of member Zoë Virant. The group released two albums and an EP, and their self-titled debut reached #9 on Billboard's Top Kid Audio chart. They are noted for their personas—each girl had a distinct character such as All-Star Girl or Glamour Girl—and for covering songs by artists like Madonna, Kelly Clarkson, and Cyndi Lauper.
- formed
- Summer 2005
- disbanded
- 2010
- origin
- United States
- genre
- Cover pop
- label
- Zoë Records / Rounder Records
- known_for
- Nine-member tween cover group with distinct personas
Quick Facts
- Background
- group_or_band
- Origin
- Sudbury, Massachusetts
- Genre
- Pop · children's music
- Years Active
- 2005–2010
- Label
- Zoë · Rounder
- Website
- twitter.com/girlauthority
- Past Members
- Jacqueline Laviolette / Carly Grayson / Jessica "Jess" Bonner / Crystal Evans / Kate Barker / Zoë Virant / Jessica Tarr / Gina Miele / Alexandra "Alex" Bilbo
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
All nine members of Girl Authority had participated in local musical theater together for five years before joining the group. Each girl adopted a persona: Laviolette was All-Star Girl, Grayson was Glamour Girl, Bonner was Boho Girl, Evans was Country Girl, Barker was Party Girl, Virant was Preppy Girl, Tarr was Rock N' Roll Girl, Miele was Urban Girl, and Bilbo was Fashion Girl. Their self-titled debut album, released in April 2006 on Zoë Records, featured covers of Madonna's 'Material Girl' and Kelly Clarkson's 'Breakaway' and was advertised on Nickelodeon. They shared stages with the Jonas Brothers and Jesse McCartney, and appeared on CBS' The Early Show.
Their second album, Road Trip, was released on March 13, 2007. It included a version of the Yazoo song 'Let's Get Together,' originally written by Vince Clarke, a Cyndi Lauper-penned ballad called 'Shine,' and four tracks by Tanya Donelly, including 'This Is My Day.' The group also released an EP titled Halloween Party Songs, sold only in iParty stores. The group disbanded in 2010 after the oldest members graduated high school and their contracts with Rounder Records ceased. Most members later attended or graduated college, and they remained close friends, holding reunions.
Reader's Guide
Girl Authority represents a specific moment in mid-2000s tween pop culture, where manufactured cover groups targeted preteen audiences with personas and familiar songs. Their formation by a vocal coach, a Grammy-winning producer, and a record label CEO—one of whom was a member's father—highlights the blend of professional music industry involvement and family connections. The group's two albums and EP, along with TV appearances and a songwriting contest with the Beacon Street Girls book series, show a cross-platform marketing approach. Their legacy is modest but illustrative of how the music industry packaged cover acts for young listeners before the rise of streaming. The group's disbandment due to members aging out of their contracts reflects the temporary nature of such projects. They won a Best Audio award from iParenting Media, indicating some recognition within parenting-focused media.
Did You Know?
- The group was established in summer 2005 by vocal coach Samantha Hammel, Grammy-winning producer Scott Billington, and Rounder Records CEO John Virant, who was the father of member Zoë Virant.
- Each member had a persona: for example, Jacqueline Laviolette was All-Star Girl, Carly Grayson was Glamour Girl, and Jessica Tarr was Rock N' Roll Girl.
- Their second album, Road Trip, included a version of the Yazoo song 'Let's Get Together' (originally written by Vince Clarke), and a ballad written by Cyndi Lauper titled 'Shine.'
- The group held a songwriting contest for Beacon Street Girls readers and chose the song 'I Am Me' by a 14-year-old from Swansea, Massachusetts.
More in American pop girl groups 1-24
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