Music mogul Simon Cowell officially unveiled his new boy band, December 10, following the conclusion of his Netflix documentary series, Simon Cowell: The Next Act.
The six-episode show, which premiered on December 10, 2025, documented Cowell's nationwide search for a group that could rival the global success of One Direction.
While Cowell initially planned to select only five members, he eventually chose seven finalists: Cruz Lee-Ojo, Danny Bretherton, Hendrik Christoffersen, John Fadare, Josh Olliver, Nicolas Alves, and Seán Hayden.
The band derives its name from the release date of the series, which they consider their official "birthday."
The group made its musical debut shortly after the show's finale with a cover of NSYNC’s "Bye Bye Bye," followed by their first original single, "Run My Way."
However, the band's launch faced immediate challenges. "Run My Way" entered the UK Singles Chart at number 72, a significantly lower position than the chart-topping debut of One Direction’s "What Makes You Beautiful."
Reports suggest that Cowell expressed frustration over the initial chart performance as he navigates a vastly different music landscape dominated by social media and solo artists.
In addition to the chart performance, December 10 encountered early public relations hurdles.
During the Netflix series, 19-year-old member Cruz Lee-Ojo made a comment comparing the band's potential to the K-pop group BTS, stating they could "sell out Pluto" if BTS could sell out Wembley Stadium.
The remark drew heavy criticism from BTS fans on TikTok, leading Cruz to issue a public apology on the Zach Sang Show.
He explained the comment as an attempt to boost the group's confidence during their first high-pressure label meeting.
The band also faces potential legal trouble over its name. A Scottish heavy metal group called December Tenth, formed in 2020, claimed that the similarity has caused significant confusion for their fans.
The metal band’s representatives reportedly reached out to Cowell’s team and Netflix to discuss the branding issue.
Despite these early setbacks, December 10 continues to promote their music and build a following on social media, with fans already adopting the nickname "D10" for the group.