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PrettyMuch

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PRETTYMUCH were an American pop and R&B boy band based in Los Angeles, California. Formed by Simon Cowell in 2016, the band consisted of Brandon Arreaga, Edwin Honoret, Austin Porter and Zion Kuwonu. The band released five EPs and a debut album before disbanding in 2023.

PrettyMuch
Refer to caption
PrettyMuch in 2018
(L–R): Edwin Honoret, Zion Kuwonu, Brandon Arreaga, Austin Porter, and Nick Mara
Background information
OriginLos Angeles, California, U.S.
Genres
Years active2016–2023
Labels
Past members
  • Brandon Arreaga
  • Edwin Honoret
  • Austin Porter
  • Zion Kuwonu
  • Nick Mara
Websiteprettymuch.com

Career

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2016–2017: Formation and early career

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The members of PrettyMuch were pursuing solo careers until Syco Music founder Simon Cowell and former label president Sonny Takhar merged them into a group.[2][3] Since 2016, the members of PrettyMuch have been based in Los Angeles where they have shared a home since March 18, 2016, in which they have worked on their dancing skills in addition to recording their debut EP.[2][4]

In 2017, PrettyMuch gained attention on social media with their cover songs and dancing videos, including a rendition of Charlie Puth's "Attention" and choreography tributes to Michael Jackson and Bruno Mars.[1][5][6] PrettyMuch's debut single, "Would You Mind," written by Savan Kotecha and Jacob Kasher, was released in July 2017.[6][7] A month later, the group performed the song at the 2017 Teen Choice Awards and sang an a cappella version on the red carpet at the 2017 MTV Video Music Awards.[4][1] A music video for the song was then released in September. Directed by Emil Nava, it depicts the members dancing and jumping over each other in empty alleyways, along with scenes from a road trip the group had taken.[8][9] The clip was inspired by boy band videos of the late 1990s and early 2000s, such as Backstreet Boys' "We've Got It Goin' On" and NSYNC's "I Want You Back".[9] The single peaked in the top 40 on Billboard's Mainstream Top 40 charts.[10]

PrettyMuch performed "Would You Mind" on MTV's Total Request Live in October 2017 and released their second single, "Teacher".[11] This single and its music video have been accused of being very similar to those of Dead Obies' "Where They @".[12] On October 27, 2017, they released their single, "Open Arms". In November 2017, they confirmed via Twitter that they would perform during the final of Series 14 of The X Factor in the United Kingdom, performing their single, "No More".[13] PrettyMuch had their own tour called PrettyMuch Everywhere Tour across the United States. The group performed on Good Morning America on January 15. PrettyMuch performed their singles "Open Arms" and "No More" on MTV's Total Request Live on January 17.

2018–2019: PrettyMuch an EP, Phases, and INTL:EP

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They released their debut EP, Prettymuch an EP on April 19, 2018, including their single "10,000 Hours". On June 21, 2018, they released a summer single "Summer On You," written by Ed Sheeran and produced by Steve Mac.[14] They also performed it on the Late Late Show with James Corden. On August 20, 2018, the group performed at the 2018 MTV Video Music Awards on the Push Artist Stage.[15] The single peaked in the top 50 on Pop radio.[16] On September 28, 2018, they released their single "Solita" featuring Rich the Kid.[17]

They released their song "Real Friends" on October 17, 2018, to promote their fall tour, the Funktion Tour, and afterward "Jello," on December 14, 2018, accompanied by an official video. In the start of 2019, "Blind" (stylized as "BLiND") was released on January 25. Their second single of 2019, "Phases," was released on April 26, alongside a music video featuring model Justine Mae Biticon. On May 17, PrettyMuch announced their second EP would come out a week later. On May 20, the band released "Gone 2 Long," written and produced completely by Brandon Arreaga. The group's second EP, the Phases - EP, was released on May 24, 2019. The EP consists of six songs: two already released songs ("Phases" and "Gone 2 Long"), and four new songs called "Eyes Off You", "Temporary Heart", "4U" and "One Shot".[18]

On July 11, PrettyMuch kicked off their FOMO Tour with opening act Kenzie Ziegler in Dallas, Texas. A week later, on July 19, the band released "Lying," a collaboration with Lil Tjay.[19]

On November 22, PrettyMuch released INTL:EP, which features "Me Necesita," a collaboration with Latin-American boy band CNCO, and three other songs, with guest vocals from Luísa Sonza, NCT Dream, and Iñigo Pascual.[20] On March 10, 2020, PrettyMuch was announced as an opening act for select US dates of Camila Cabello's The Romance Tour, but the tour was later cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[21]

2020–present: New label and Smackables

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Following a year of more participation in their music, PrettyMuch was musically silent for the entirety of 2020, but continued to remain active on social media. Later in the year, it was revealed that Syco Music, the band's record label, had been dissolved.[22] In December 2020, PrettyMuch announced they had signed to Sire Records.[23] They began teasing their comeback to releasing music on their social media, as well as posting a countdown on their website to January 22, 2021.[24]

On January 17, 2021, the band revealed that a new single was set to be released that week, posting the cover art with the title hidden by asterisks (stars).[25][26] Five days later, "Stars" was released to all streaming platforms, along with a music video. On the same day, PrettyMuch announced their label debut EP, Smackables.[27] The EP was released a week later on January 29, along with a music video for the song "Parking Spot" featuring actress and model Alexia Castillo.[28]

In an interview with GQ,[29] it was revealed that "Corpus Christi," a song initially thought to be on the original Smackables EP would be released on a deluxe version of Smackables. This also served as a simultaneous, unofficial announcement of Smackables (Deluxe Version). On February 19, the music video for "Lonely" was premiered on PrettyMuch's YouTube channel.[30] On February 26, 2021, the deluxe version of the Smackables EP was released on Sire Records. The deluxe EP included "Corpus Christi," a song written mainly by Brandon Arreaga featuring a production credit from Lido, and "Smackables," the long-awaited title track teased by the band in various YouTube videos throughout 2020.

Prior to the release of Smackables (Deluxe Edition), PrettyMuch announced a "Smackables EP Release Party,"[31] hosted by Moment House.[32] The release party was held in three installments, each for a different region of the world on March 4 or 5th, 2021, to accommodate their global fans. The party consisted of the band doing short commentaries on three songs ("Free," "Lonely," and "Corpus Christi") and playing them for fans, performing three of the songs off the complete Smackables EP ("Stars," "Parking Spot," and "Smackables"), and a special premiere of the "Corpus Christi" music video. The official "Corpus Christi" video, directed by Boni Mata, was released on March 9, 2021. PrettyMuch also performed their song "Stars" on Good Morning America on March 16.[33]

After sharing a teaser on TikTok, PrettyMuch released "Trust" on July 30, 2021. The official video, which was released on the same day, is directed by Ian Eastwood and edited by Brandon Arreaga.[34]

On October 7, 2022, PRETTYMUCH announced that Nick Mara is leaving the band and the group is continuing to make music as a four-piece.[35] Along with the announcement, the remaining members released the song "H2L" on the music platform Sound.xyz.

On October 29th, 2023 via an instagram post, the group announced that they were disbanding.

Band members

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Brandon Arreaga

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Brandon Michael Lee Arreaga (born December 14, 1999) grew up in Corinth, Texas. He began doing acting and modeling jobs at around eleven years old, and used money earned from the jobs to get equipment for a home studio.[36] Arreaga would rent the studio out to other local musicians.[37] He was the last member to join the group, as he did not initially get involved because his parents thought the scouting was fake.[38]

Edwin Honoret

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Edwin Joel Honoret (born February 12, 1999) is from The Bronx, New York.[37] He is of Dominican descent.

Austin Porter

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Austin Dale Porter (born August 14, 1997) grew up in Charlotte, North Carolina. Prior to the audition, Porter had a solo career, having released a pop album titled One Love in 2013[39] and made an unreleased rap EP.[37] He is inspired by a variety of different genres including lo-fi hip-hop and jazz. He has listed Elton John, James Taylor, Chicago and The Beatles as some of his musical influences.[40]

Zion Kuwonu

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Caleb Zion Kuwonu (born June 29, 1999) is from Ottawa, Canada. He was inspired to become a singer after watching Justin Bieber: Never Say Never, and lists Justin Bieber as one of his musical inspirations, among other artists such as PartyNextDoor, One Direction, and Michael Jackson.[38][41] Kuwonu was noticed by Sony Music after he began posting song covers on Vine in order to gain popularity at school. He has noted that he only had around 150 followers at the time.[37]

Nick Mara

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Nicholas Carter Mara (born November 8, 1997) was born in New York, but grew up in Englishtown, New Jersey. He began dancing at around nine years old, and was formerly in the dance crew ICONic Boyz, which was featured in the sixth season of America's Best Dance Crew. Mara describes his musical interest as "Bad Boy-era type music," being inspired by artists such as Notorious B.I.G.[41] In October 2022, he left the band to pursue a solo career.[42]

Discography

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PrettyMuch discography
Studio albums1
EPs5
Singles25
Music videos23

PrettyMuch have released one studio album, five extended plays, twenty-five singles, and twenty-three music videos.

Studio albums

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List of studio albums
Title Album details
This Thing Called Love

Extended plays

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List of extended plays
Title EP details
PrettyMuch So Far...
  • Released: March 23, 2018[44]
  • Label: Syco
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
PrettyMuch an EP
  • Released: April 19, 2018
  • Label: Syco
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Phases - EP
  • Released: May 24, 2019
  • Label: Syco
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
INTL:EP
  • Released: November 22, 2019
  • Label: Syco
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Smackables
  • Released: January 29, 2021
  • Label: Sire Records
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Smackables (Deluxe Edition)
  • Released: February 26, 2021
  • Label: Sire Records
  • Format: Digital download, streaming

Singles

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List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US Pop
[45] 		NZ
Hot
[46] 		UK
[47]
"Would You Mind" 2017 40 — 100 PrettyMuch So Far...
"Teacher" — — —
"Open Arms" — — —
"No More"
(featuring French Montana) 		— — 77
"Hello" 2018 — — — PrettyMuch an EP
"10,000 Hours" — — —
"Healthy" — — —
"On My Way" — — —
"Summer on You" 49 — — Non-album singles
"Solita"
(featuring Rich the Kid) 		— — —
"Real Friends" — — —
"Jello"[48] — 34 —
"Blind" 2019 — — —
"Phases" — 26 — Phases EP
"Gone 2 Long" — — —
"Eyes Off You" — — —
"Lying"
(featuring Lil Tjay)[49] 		— 19 — Non-album singles
"Rock Witchu"[50] — — —
"Me Necesita"
(with CNCO)[51] 		— — — INTL:EP
"Up to You"
(with NCT Dream) 		— — —
"Stars" 2021 — — — Smackables
"Lonely" — — — Smackables (Deluxe Edition)
"Trust" — — — Non-album singles
"I Don't Wanna Leave"
(featuring Jeremih) 		— — —
"Talking 2 You" 2022 — — —
"Same Place" 2023 — — — This Thing Called Love
"Wrong?" — — —
"Excited" — — —
"Maria" — — —
"Alone" — — —
"Before You"
(with angelbaby) 		— — — Non-album singles
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.

Music videos

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List of music videos, showing year released and directors
Title Year Director Ref.
"Would You Mind" 2017 Emil Nava [9]
"Teacher" Noah Duran [52]
"Open Arms" [53]
"No More" Emil Nava [54]
"10,000 Hours" 2018 Noah Duran [55]
"Hello" [56]
"Summer on You" Tim Mattia [57]
"Jello" The Young Astronauts [58]
"Blind" 2019
"Phases"
"Lying"
"Me Necesita" Isaac Rentz [59]
"The Weekend" [60]
"Love" [61]
"Stars" 2021 Natalie Fält [62]
"Parking Spot" Steven Mertens [63]
"Free" Keenan O'Reilly [64]
"Lonely" Natalie Fält [65]
"Smackables" Ian Eastwood [66]
"Corpus Christi" Boni Mata [67]
"Trust" Ian Eastwood [68]
"I Don't Wanna Leave" Lucas Chemotti [69]
"Same Place" 2023 Brandon Arreaga [70]
"Excited" [71]
"Alone" [72]

Awards and nominations

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Year Nominated Award Category Result Ref.
2018 PrettyMuch iHeart Radio Music Awards Best Boyband Nominated [73]
MTV Video Music Awards Push Artist of the Year Nominated [74]
MTV Europe Music Awards Best Push Nominated [75]
Best Group Nominated
2019 Teen Choice Awards Choice Music Group Nominated [76]
MTV Video Music Awards Best Group Nominated [77]

Tours

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Headlining

  • PrettyMuch Everywhere Tour (2018)
  • Funktion Tour (2018)
  • FOMO Tour (2019)

Supporting

References

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  1. ^ a b c Hosken, Patrick (September 15, 2017). "Prettymuch's Sunny 'Would You Mind' Video Looks Like It's From 1997". MTV. Archived from the original on September 20, 2017. Retrieved September 23, 2017.
  2. ^ a b Angermiller, Michele Amabile (July 28, 2017). "PrettyMuch, Simon Cowell's Latest Boy Band Discovery, Poised to Pop". Variety. Retrieved September 23, 2017.
  3. ^ Horowitz, Steven J. (August 24, 2017). "Meet the Next Wave of Boy Bands: Prettymuch, Why Don't We and CNCO". Billboard. Retrieved September 23, 2017.
  4. ^ a b Monell, Ray (September 17, 2017). "New Simon Cowell boy band is Prettymuch the latest thing". New York Daily News. Retrieved September 23, 2017.
  5. ^ Corinthios, Aurelie (May 13, 2017). "Meet Simon Cowell's New Boy Band, Prettymuch (Spoiler: They're Adorable and They Can Really Dance)". People. Retrieved September 23, 2017.
  6. ^ a b Diaz, Thatiana (September 19, 2017). "Simon Cowell's boy band Prettymuch drops 'Would You Mind' music video — watch now". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved September 23, 2017.
  7. ^ Wass, Mike (July 7, 2017). "Meet Your New Favorite Boy Band: Prettymuch Teases "Would You Mind"". Idolator. Retrieved September 23, 2017.[permanent dead link]
  8. ^ Armstrong, Megan (September 15, 2017). "Prettymuch Drops 'Would You Mind' Video". Billboard.com. Retrieved September 23, 2017.
  9. ^ a b c Hosken, Patrick (September 19, 2017). "PrettyMuch Director Breaks Down the Influences Behind 'Would You Mind' Video". MTV. Archived from the original on September 21, 2017. Retrieved September 23, 2017.
  10. ^ "Prettymuch". Billboard.com.
  11. ^ Roth, Madeline (October 5, 2017). "Prettymuch's New Single Is All About 'Women Empowerment, 100 Percent'". MTV. Archived from the original on October 7, 2017. Retrieved October 6, 2017.
  12. ^ Plante, Stéphane. "[VIDÉO] Dead Obies plagié par un boys band américain?". Le Journal de Montréal (in Canadian French). Retrieved April 21, 2018.
  13. ^ "Twitter". Twitter. November 29, 2017. Retrieved June 24, 2018.
  14. ^ Mele, Sofia (June 21, 2018). "Prettymuch Drops Sunny Ed Sheeran-Penned Single 'Summer on You': Listen". Billboard.com. Retrieved June 24, 2018.
  15. ^ "Prettymuch confirmed to perform at 2018 MTV VMAs". Pressparty. August 14, 2018.
  16. ^ Cantor, Brian (August 27, 2018). "Songs By Marshmello & Bastille, Panic! At The Disco, Prettymuch Join Pop Radio's Top 50". Headline Planet. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
  17. ^ Spanos, Brittany (September 28, 2018). "Hear PrettyMuch's Feisty New Song 'Solita'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on August 26, 2019. Retrieved October 3, 2018.
  18. ^ "Prettymuch Gets Things Very Right On 'Phases,' Listen Here". Idolator. May 24, 2019.
  19. ^ Spanos, Brittany (July 19, 2019). "Watch PrettyMuch, Lil Tjay's Graffiti-Covered 'Lying' Video". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 15, 2019.
  20. ^ Spanos, Brittany (November 22, 2019). "PrettyMuch Discuss Guest-Filled 'Intl:EP,' Ambitious 2020 Plans". Rolling Stone. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
  21. ^ "Camila Cabello Announces Romance Tour Opening Acts". Billboard.com. March 10, 2020.
  22. ^ "Syco analysis: The low-key demise of Simon Cowell's former label". www.musicweek.com. Retrieved December 21, 2020.
  23. ^ "Sire Records Signs Prettymuch Following Syco Music Closure: Exclusive". Billboard. Retrieved December 21, 2020.
  24. ^ "PrettyMuch's Instagram profile post: "new label. new music. new everything. Prettymuch 2.0 coming 2021 🔥 don't call it a comeback. Link in bio!!!"". Instagram. Archived from the original on December 26, 2021. Retrieved December 21, 2020.
  25. ^ "PrettyMuch on Twitter: "⭐👀 01/22"". Twitter.
  26. ^ "PrettyMuch (@prettymuch) posted on Instagram: "⭐️👀 01/22" • Jan 16, 2021 at 7:56pm UTC". Instagram. Archived from the original on December 26, 2021. Retrieved January 19, 2021.
  27. ^ Mier, Tomás (January 22, 2021). "Prettymuch Isn't Here to Be Your Typical Boy Band — We're 'Not Afraid to Take Risks'". People. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  28. ^ "Prettymuch Rolls Out "Parking Spot" Video, Drops 'Snackables' EP". idolator. January 29, 2021. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  29. ^ Armstrong, Megan (January 29, 2021). "PrettyMuch Wants to Be the Anti-Boy Band". GQ. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
  30. ^ PRETTYMUCH - Lonely (Official Music Video), retrieved March 8, 2021
  31. ^ "PrettyMuch on Instagram: "Smackables Release Party Airing March 4th and 5th !!! mark your calendars 😈"". Instagram. Archived from the original on December 26, 2021. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
  32. ^ "Moment House". www.momenthouse.com. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
  33. ^ America, Good Morning, PrettyMuch performs 'Stars' on 'GMA', retrieved March 17, 2021
  34. ^ "'Trust' Prettymuch To Release A Hit Like This!". July 31, 2021.
  35. ^ "PRETTYMUCH Announce Nick Mara Is Leaving the Band". Billboard. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  36. ^ "interview | prettymuch". Schön!. Retrieved November 4, 2019.
  37. ^ a b c d "PRETTYMUCH talks Would You Mind, One Direction and French Montana". Zach Sang Show. August 29, 2017.
  38. ^ a b "Prettymuch On Boy Band Life & Debut Single "Would You Mind": Interview". Idolator. July 21, 2017. Retrieved November 4, 2019.
  39. ^ ""One Love" by Austin Porter on Deezer". December 7, 2013.
  40. ^ Papadatos, Markos (July 10, 2018). "PRETTYMUCH talks new single 'Summer on You,' Ed Sheeran, Beyonce (Includes interview)". Digital Journal.
  41. ^ a b "PrettyMuch Gets Real About Musical Influences and Being in a Boy Band". Teen Vogue. December 13, 2017. Retrieved November 4, 2019.
  42. ^ "Boy Band PrettyMuch Announces Nick Mara Is 'Formally Leaving the Band,' But Will Continue as Four-piece". Rolling Stone. October 7, 2022. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  43. ^ "This Thing Called Love by PRETTYMUCH". Apple Music. Retrieved May 25, 2023.
  44. ^ "Prettymuch So Far..." Sony Music (in Japanese). Retrieved November 9, 2021.
  45. ^ "Billboard Pop Songs". Billboard. October 7, 2017. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
  46. ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. December 24, 2018. Retrieved December 21, 2018.
  47. ^ "PrettyMuch | full Official Chart history". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 16, 2017.
  48. ^ "Jello – Single by Prettymuch on iTunes". iTunes Store. December 14, 2018. Retrieved December 21, 2018.
  49. ^ @Prettymuch (July 10, 2019). "New Single. Lying. FT @liltjay 😈 07/19" (Tweet). Retrieved July 11, 2019 – via Twitter.
  50. ^ "Rock Witchu – Single by PrettyMuch". Apple Music. Retrieved August 16, 2019.
  51. ^ "Watch Prettymuch & CNCO Team Up For an Epic Boy Band Battle in 'Me Necesita' Video". Billboard.com. October 23, 2019.
  52. ^ Armstrong, Megan (October 6, 2017). "PRETTYMUCH on New 'Teacher' Video: 'We Wanted to Just Turn the Camera on and Let Us Be Us'". Billboard.
  53. ^ Roth, Madeline (November 1, 2017). "PrettyMuch Get Animated with Artsy 'Open Arms' Video". MTV. Archived from the original on November 7, 2017.
  54. ^ Baker, Zac (December 15, 2017). "PRETTYMUCH ft. French Montana 'No More' by Emil Nava". Promonews.
  55. ^ Nied, Mike (March 8, 2018). "PRETTYMUCH Makes a Splash with Their Creative "10,000 Hours" Video". Idolator.
  56. ^ "noahsfire.com".
  57. ^ "PRETTYMUCH Premieres New Music Video for "Summer on You"". PM Studio. July 12, 2018.
  58. ^ Nied, Mike (April 26, 2019). "PRETTYMUCH Shows Their Softer Side on Romantic "Phases"". Idolator.
  59. ^ "Prettymuch & CNCO 'Me Necesita' by Isaac Rentz". Promonews. October 31, 2019.
  60. ^ PRETTYMUCH - The Weekend (Official Video) ft. Luísa Sonza, retrieved June 17, 2023
  61. ^ PRETTYMUCH - Love (Official Video) ft. Inigo Pascual, retrieved June 17, 2023
  62. ^ "PRETTYMUCH - Stars (Official Music Video)". YouTube. January 21, 2021.
  63. ^ PRETTYMUCH - Parking Spot (Official Music Video), retrieved June 17, 2023
  64. ^ PRETTYMUCH - Free (Official Music Video), retrieved June 17, 2023
  65. ^ PRETTYMUCH - Lonely (Official Music Video), retrieved June 17, 2023
  66. ^ PRETTYMUCH - Smackables (Official Music Video), retrieved June 17, 2023
  67. ^ PRETTYMUCH - Corpus Christi (Official Music Video), retrieved June 17, 2023
  68. ^ PRETTYMUCH - Trust (Official Music Video), retrieved June 17, 2023
  69. ^ PRETTYMUCH - I Don't Wanna Leave (feat. Jeremih) [Official Music Video], retrieved June 17, 2023
  70. ^ PRETTYMUCH - SAME PLACE (Official Music Video Explicit), retrieved June 16, 2023
  71. ^ PRETTYMUCH - EXCITED (Official Music Video Explicit), retrieved June 17, 2023
  72. ^ PRETTYMUCH - ALONE (Official Music Video), retrieved June 17, 2023
  73. ^ "2018 iHeartRadio Music Awards: See The Full List Of Nominees & Winners". iHeartRadio. March 10, 2018. Retrieved July 16, 2018.
  74. ^ "2018 VMAs Winners: See the Complete List". The Hollywood Reporter. July 16, 2018.
  75. ^ "Camila Cabello, Ariana Grande, Post Malone Lead 2018 MTV EMA Nominees". Billboard.com. October 4, 2018.
  76. ^ "Teen Choice Awards: Full List of Winners". The Hollywood Reporter. August 11, 2019. Retrieved August 16, 2019.
  77. ^ 2019 VMAs Reveal Three New Fan-Voted Categories, Pre-Show Performers, August 19, 2019
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