Nancy Jewel McDonie (born April 13, 2000), known professionally as Nancy (Korean: 낸시), is a South Korean and American singer, actress, and host. She is a former member of the South Korean girl groupMomoland, which was formed on November 10, 2016, through the Mnet's reality survival show Finding Momoland. In 2023, she also began performing in live musical theater.
Early life
Nancy was born on April 13, 2000 in Nam-gu, Daegu, South Korea.[1][2] In 2001, the family moved to the father's hometown of Columbus, Ohio, where Nancy spent her early years and attended school.[3][4] In an interview about her being of mixed origin and the product of two cultures Nancy said, "I have always been told by my parents that there are two cultures that I am in contact with ever since I was a child."[5][6][2]
On March 20, 2019, it was reported that Nancy changed her Korean legal name to Lee Geu-roo from Lee Seung-ri.[7]
Education
She graduated from Hanlim Multi Art School on February 9, 2018, where she was a student in the Musical Department.[8][9]
Career
Pre-debut
Nancy auditioned in Korea's Got Talent as part of a hip-hop group called "Cutie Pies" in 2011. The group reached the semi-finals.[10][11]
As a teenager, she appeared in several TV programs, including The Unlimited, and also participated in Mak Ee Rae Show: Just Do It Expedition in 2012, in which she traveled to the Philippines and Saipan with South Korean actress Kim Yoo-jung.[12][unreliable source]
2016: Finding Momoland, debut with Momoland, and Sunny Girls
In 2016, Nancy became a contestant on Mnet's reality survival show Finding Momoland to select the members of MLD Entertainment's new girl group Momoland.[13] She finished the competition in first place,[14] and had her debut with the group[15] on November 10, 2016, with the mini-albumWelcome to Momoland.[16] Momoland made their debut stage performing at M Countdown.[17][18]
Nancy was selected to host the music show The Power of K alongside U-Kwon and Shownu. The show began airing in Japan and Korea in January 2018.[28]
On January 3, 2018, Momoland released their third mini-album, Great!. As a result, the lead single, "Bboom Bboom", was a huge commercial success, reaching number two on the Gaon Digital Chart.[29] On June 26, 2018, Momoland released their fourth mini-album Fun to the World with the lead single "Baam" becoming the 15th best-selling song of July 2018 on Gaon Music Chart.[29]
In October 2018, Nancy appeared in episode 11 of MBC's Dae Jang Geum is Watching, alongside her fellow-members JooE, Hyebin and Daisy as idol trainees.[30]
On January 27, 2023, it was announced that Nancy, along with the Momoland members, departed from MLD Entertainment following expiration of the contracts.[31] Momoland officially announced their disbandment on February 14.[32] On March 4, Nancy announced that she signed a contract with Aria Diamond, a newly established talent agency affiliated with Aria Group, through her personal Instagram account.[33][34] On September 17, Nancy revealed via Instagram that she is no longer an artist under Aria Group.[35] On September 21, it was confirmed that Nancy has signed an exclusive contract with ATOC.[36]
In September 2023, Nancy announced on her Instagram account that she would be appearing in the live musical "The Show! ShillaHada", which depicts the story of Cheoyoung who unites the ancient Korean kingdom of Shillia. Nancy plays two characters: Lee Chae Rin of the present time, and also the role of Princess Seungman in the Silla period.[38][unreliable source?]
Endorsements
In January 2020, Nancy was chosen as the new endorsement model for the popular skincare brand Some By Mi.[39][unreliable source?]
^대구 토박이 '부심'들게 만드는 대구 출신 미모의 아이돌 6인 [6 beautiful idols from Daegu who make Daegu natives 'proud']. Insight (in Korean). January 26, 2020. Archived from the original on June 29, 2021. Retrieved November 5, 2020.
^[ON+자소서] 모모랜드 최종 멤버 7인이 직접 쓴 '입덕 안내서' [[ON+Self-written letter] 'Guide to becoming a fan of virtue' written by the final 7 members of Momoland] (in Korean). September 21, 2016. Archived from the original on September 24, 2020.
^모모랜드 낸시 "내 몸매 관련 댓글밖에 없어...그게 왜 중요한가" [Momoland Nancy "There are only comments related to my body... Why is that important?"]. Donga (in Korean). June 25, 2020. Archived from the original on August 30, 2020. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
^Kang, Sun-ae (June 25, 2020). 모모랜드 낸시 "몸매 댓글밖에 없더라...왜 몸매만 중요하게 생각하는지" [Momoland Nancy "There were only comments about my body... Why do I only care about my body?"]. SBS Entertainment News (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 27, 2020. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
^Cho, Hyo-jeong (March 20, 2019). '이승리→이그루' 모모랜드 낸시, 상큼 셀카와 함께 새 이름 공개[★SNS] ['Lee Seung-ri → Lee Geu-roo' Momoland's Nancy reveals a new name with a fresh selfie [SNS]] (in Korean). Sports Seoul. Retrieved April 13, 2022 – via Naver.
^"아쉽지만 뿌듯해요" 예리, 주이, 연정, 재현, 휘영, 주학년, 한림예고 졸업 ["It's unfortunate, but I'm proud" Yeri, JooE, Yeonjeong, Jaehyun, Hwiyoung, Joo Haknyeon, Hanlim Art High School graduates]. Voice of the People (in Korean). February 9, 2018. Archived from the original on October 18, 2020. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
^모모랜드 낸시-주이, '함께 그리는 하트' (한림예고 졸업식) [Momoland's Nancy-JooE, 'Draw Hearts Together' (Hanlim Arts High School Graduation Ceremony)]. Seoul Economic Daily (in Korean). February 9, 2018. Archived from the original on December 27, 2020. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
^Park, Hye-mi (July 15, 2016). '서바이벌 모모랜드를 찾아서', 최강 비주얼 자랑하는 연습생 2人 공개 ['Survival Finding Momoland', two trainees with the strongest visuals revealed]. Top Star News (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 24, 2021. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
^Sun, Mi-kyung (September 6, 2016). '모모랜드', 낸시·혜빈·제인 등 7인조 데뷔 확정..꿈 이뤘다[종합] ['Momoland', 7 members including Nancy, Hyebin, and Jane confirmed their debut... The dream has come true [Comprehensive]]. Osen (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 24, 2021. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
^Sun, Mi-kyung (October 20, 2016). [단독] 모모랜드, 드디어 꿈 이뤘다..11월10일 데뷔 확정 [[Exclusive] Momoland finally achieved their dream.. Debut confirmed on November 10th]. Osen (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 24, 2021. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
^Ha, Kyung-hun (September 17, 2016). 엠넷 '모모랜드를 찾아서' 모모랜드, 결국 파이널 미션 실패로 데뷔 불발 [Mnet 'Finding Momoland' Momoland failed to debut due to final mission failure]. Sports Kyunghyang (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 27, 2020. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
^Jung, In-cheol (November 11, 2016). 모모랜드, '엠카운트다운' 500회 특집 통해 전격 데뷔 [Momoland makes a surprise debut through the 500th episode of 'M Countdown']. Asian Economy (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 23, 2019. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
^은하X성소X유아X나영X낸시 '써니걸스'의 'TAXI' [Eunha X Cheng Xiao X YooA X Nayoung X Nancy 'TAXI' by 'Sunny Girls']. kakao (in Korean). May 15, 1976. Archived from the original on August 14, 2020. Retrieved August 12, 2020.
^'써니걸스' 성소-은하-유아-나영-낸시, 강렬한 매력의 'TAXI' 첫 공개 ['Sunny Girls' Cheng Xiao-Eunha-Yooa-Nayoung-Nancy, the first release of 'TAXI' with intense charm]. 서울경제 (in Korean). November 27, 2016. Archived from the original on August 14, 2020. Retrieved August 12, 2020.
^써니걸스 | 텐아시아 [Sunny Girls | Ten Asia]. TenAsia (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 24, 2020. Retrieved August 12, 2020.
^ abChoi, Yoon-na (October 24, 2017). 모모랜드 낸시, 웹뮤직드라마 '썸라이트' 여주인공[공식] [Momoland's Nancy, the female lead in the web music drama 'Somelight' [Official]]. Sports Donga (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 29, 2021. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
^Lee, Jung-ah. [단독]유권-낸시-셔누, 1월 런칭 韓日 동시 방송 음악쇼 MC 발탁 [[Exclusive] U-Kwon, Nancy, and Shownu selected as MCs for a simultaneous Korean-Japanese music show launched in January] (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on February 20, 2023. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
^[단독] 모모랜드 낸시, 現 소속사 MLD 떠난다 '계약 종료' [[Exclusive] Momoland Nancy leaves the current management company MLD 'contract terminated']. 언론사 뷰. Archived from the original on March 4, 2023. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
^모모랜드 사실상 해체..주이·낸시 "새로운 출발 응원"[종합] [Momoland virtually disbanded.. JooE and Nancy "Cheering for a new start" [Comprehensive]]. Naver (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 14, 2023. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
^Lee, Min-ji (September 21, 2023). "모모랜드 출신 낸시, ATOC 전속계약...지니와 한솥밥[공식]" [Nancy from MOMOLAND, ATOC Exclusive Contract...One Pot Meal with Genie[Official]] (in Korean). Newsen. Retrieved September 27, 2023 – via Naver.
^Kim, Mi-jung (October 11, 2018). '대장금이 보고있다' 모모랜드, 카메오 출격! 이열음과 아이돌 연습생으로 변신 ['Daejanggeum is watching' Momoland, cameo sortie! Transformed into idol trainees with Lee Yeol-eum]. Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 29, 2021. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
^Jang, Chang-hwan (June 26, 2011). '코갓탤', 귀요미 초등학생 댄스팀 등장에 '흐뭇' ['Kogottal', 'I am delighted' at the appearance of the Kwiyomi elementary school dance team]. Osen (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 29, 2021. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
^Kim, Moon-seok (July 4, 2014). '김구라 김동현의 김부자쇼' 김구라 아들 김동현, 3년 전 모습은.... ['Kim Gu-ra and Kim Dong-hyun's Kim Rich Show' Kim Gura's son Kim Dong-hyun, 3 years ago...]. Sports Kyunghyang (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 29, 2021. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
^Kim, Na-hee (November 23, 2016). [뮤직&톡]전소미·낸시·모니카, 마성의 걸그룹 혼혈 멤버들 [[Music&Talk] Jeon Somi·Nancy·Monica, mixed-race members of a demonic girl group]. News1 (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 29, 2021. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
^Park, Geon-wook (July 15, 2016). '모모랜드' 측, 연습생 낸시·연우 공개 '최강 비주얼' ['Momoland' side reveals trainees Nancy and Yeonwoo, 'strongest visual']. News1 (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 29, 2021. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
^Shin, So-won (March 7, 2017). 매드타운 조타·AOA 찬미·나뮤 금조...'내가 배우다' 출연 [Madtown Jota · AOA Chanmi · Namyu Geumjo... Appearing in 'I Learn']. My Daily (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 29, 2021. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
^[단독] 모모랜드 낸시, 데뷔후 첫 단독 MC...'팝스인서울' 진행 [[Exclusive] Momoland Nancy, the first solo MC after debut... Hosted 'Pops in Seoul']. X-sports News (in Korean). March 24, 2017. Archived from the original on June 29, 2021. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
^Lee, Seung-hoon (December 20, 2020). '복면가왕' 부뚜막 고양이, '故 종현' 추억→7연승 성공..낸시∙황규영∙서사무엘∙타루 정체 공개 [종합] ['King of Mask Singer' Cat Cat, Memories of 'The Late Jonghyun' → Success in 7 Winnings... Nancy∙Kyuyoung Hwang∙Samuel Seo∙Taru Revealed [Comprehensive]]. Osen (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 29, 2021. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
^Cho, Eun-mi (October 29, 2021). 고디바 SHOW' 제아·김용명→자이언트핑크·낸시, 패널 8인 공개 ['Godiva Show' Jea and Kim Yong-myeong → Giant Pink, Nancy, 8 panelists unveiled] (in Korean). Herald Pop. Archived from the original on October 29, 2021. Retrieved October 29, 2021 – via Naver.
^Moon, Ji-yeon (September 5, 2019). [공식] 안효섭X모모랜드 낸시 '2019 AAA' MC 호흡 [[Official] Hyo-seop Ahn X Nancy of Momoland '2019 AAA' MC breathing]. Sports Chosun (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 9, 2022. Retrieved February 9, 2022 – via Naver.
^[공식입장] 김종국X모모랜드 낸시, '가온차트 뮤직어워즈' MC 확정 [[Official Position] Kim Jong-kook X Momoland Nancy Confirmed MC for 'Gaon Chart Music Awards'] (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved July 15, 2022.
^Son, Jin-ah (January 20, 2022). 모모랜드 아인·낸시, '플라이하이 케이팝 콘서트' 스페셜 MC 출격 [Momoland's Ain and Nancy to appear as special MCs for 'Fly High K-Pop Concert] (in Korean). MK Sports. Archived from the original on January 20, 2022. Retrieved January 20, 2022 – via Naver.
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