You are mostly correct - it is what I've been saying for a while (to much scorn).
To the point of followers - they never had 1m genuine followers. Sure - that's what it said on the top of their insta page but that was made up of purchased and bots. How do I come to this conclusion? When they would do live videos - they'd have 300 or 400 people tuning in. For an account with 1m genuine followers - that number would be north of 20,000 (and that's just 2% of the total following).
Their singing was never great. I don't know why it's so wrong to admit they're just adorable thirst traps and always have been. In this world - in this society - being cute - being hot - being handsome - can get you very far without any real talent. Sure - they did some charity - I think that's marvelous. Most of us on here I assume also have contributed to various causes we hold dear. It doesn't set them apart as being world class philanthropists.
Why are they in this stuck position? Now we get down to actual business. No record label will make an investment in a person or group unless they know their return on investment will be amazing - especially in tricky 2023. If a record label thought they had any intrinsic value - theyd have already been signed. This isn't my nasty opinion or me just going off on them every chance I get. I think part of the problem here is some (well maybe one or two) can't see past the reality - and just go for the jugular of anyone who says anything they deem harsh even if it's strictly statistically backed.
They indeed are as I said, and have said - just wasting their time now. Endless cruises which are likely comped by third rate promoters. It's all they have left, hence why they film absolutely everything they do in some sort of odd effort to remain what they felt they were before....relevant.
I find much of what they do adorable - especially with the animals (special place in my heart). I love that they treat animals in such a delicate loving way. We need more of that in this world. However, to my point above - don't know if they're motives are to get "more likes" or because they genuinely care. Probably they genuinely care - but at this stage - who knows.
Where do they go next? At some point - the 3rd rate promoter money and opportunities will run out - they're getting older each day - their voices (yes...) still remain subpar and anything they do make is highly synthesized and auto-corrected. Either their parents will one day say "kids - party is over - you had your fun - time to go to College (or university in their terms) or get a job. The problem will be what kind of job - with little to know real world experience - they will have to start at the bottom. Going to be a difficult road - they aren't going to do more touring - and have no prospects to monetize their past music.
The good news is - we all get to watch and gawk and go gaga when they so these (yes silly) posts without their shirts as they begin to push those (much wanted) boundaries
I mean - you all remember in the last cruise when Harvey took a pic of himself in those black boxer briefs.... you can't sit here and tell me he didn't do that on purpose - knowing the effect it would have.
