SB19 members (from left) Ken, Pablo, Justin, Stell, Josh. Image: Sony Music Philippines
A’TIN — SB19’s legion of fans — emerged as the winner in Billboard’s weeks-long fan army face-off, making them the first fanbase of a Filipino act to achieve this feat.
Out of 64 overall acts, SB19’s fanbase won Billboard’s Fan Army with 51.1% of the votes, beating Carats of the South Korean boy band Seventeen, which garnered 48.9% votes in the final round.
“You all voted in Billboard‘s Fan Army Face-Off, and we have a winner. Sixty-four acts entered the ring and one by one, they fell. After five rounds it came down to SEVENTEEN vs. SB19. And the ultimate fandom to reign supreme is SB19,” a portion of the U.S.-based music publication’s story read.
Aside from SB19 and Seventeen, other artists included in the poll were Cardi B, Shakira, Nicki Minaj, Selena Gomez, Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, EXO, Tomorrow X Together, and Stray Kids, among many others.
Following the achievement, the quintet took to their official X (formerly Twitter) page on Wednesday, Aug. 9, to express their gratitude to fans. They also went live on Instagram hours later, to show their appreciation.
“Congratulations, A’TIN! You’ve once again proven the power that you hold. Maraming salamat!” the post read.
Congratulations, A’TIN! You’ve once again proven the power that you hold. Maraming salamat! https://t.co/eZe2SiL2bT
— SB19 Official ⚠️ (@SB19Official) August 8, 2023
Meanwhile, SB19’s Josh, Pablo, and Stell thanked their fans on their respective accounts.
You guys worked hard for it ❤️
— JOSH CULLEN (@JoshCullen_s) August 8, 2023
Proud of all your hardwork A’TIN! https://t.co/Ha38RHUcCo
— JOSH CULLEN (@JoshCullen_s) August 8, 2023
Lessgawww!!
— PABLO (@imszmc) August 8, 2023
🫨🫨🫨
— Vester (@stellajero_) August 8, 2023
SB19, which debuted in October 2018, recently wrapped up the U.S. leg of their “Pagtatag” world tour, and is set to head to Canada within the month. They dropped their second EP “Pagtatag,” which they described as the establishment of their identity as a group.
“From our story in ‘Pagsibol’ kung paano kami mag-grow, this time sa ‘Pagtatag,’ ganito kami as SB19. Ito si SB19. Makikita sa kwento ng mga songs [na] ganito ang nangyari sa SB19. Ganito na sila ngayon. Tinatanong natin sa ‘Pagsibol’ ang ‘What?’ which uses a question mark. Sino si SB19? Ano si SB19?” Justin explained at a media launch, while referring to the group’s 2021 single “What?”
“Sa ‘Pagtatag,’ sinagot na natin ang mga tanong na ‘yun. ‘Gento’ si SB19. Ginto si SB19,” he added, an apparent reference to their hit single “Gento.” EDV