Photo Courtesy of Zenith Cover Group
Formed in 2023 under XEBU Cover Groups, this dynamic seven-member ensemble has quickly carved a niche for themselves with high-octane performances inspired by the edgy sounds and fierce energy of BADVILLAIN.
Known for their razor-sharp choreography, powerhouse vocals, and magnetic stage presence, Zenith brings a fresh twist to the cover scene, electrifying audiences at events and competitions across Cebu. Beyond their technical prowess, the group’s camaraderie and dedication shine through every performance, embodying their name—Zenith, a symbol of reaching new heights together.
Stay tuned as we dive deeper into their story, challenges, and aspirations in this exclusive interview!
As an all-female cover group, how does Zenith reinterpret BADVILLAIN’s music to reflect your own style and energy?
BADVILLAIN is known for their powerful, rebellious, and fierce “girl crush” energy. As an all-female cover group, we wanted to reinterpret that “villain” persona not as antagonists, but as protagonists who are unapologetically true to ourselves, an advocacy we have believed in since Day 1 of our career.
What inspired the name “Zenith,” and how does it represent your group’s mission?
In Astronomy, “ZENITH” refers to the highest point reached by a celestial body, like the sun. Figuratively, it means the culminating point or peak of success or power.
This name represents our desire to reach the highest point or limit that we can reach, basically our mission to do our very best in every practice and in every competition we join. And to hopefully, break that limit someday.
What challenges have you faced as a cover group, and how do you stay authentic while paying tribute to the original artists?
Coming from different backgrounds in dance and with different goals in life, we’ve had our share of challenges as a group, especially in communicating what we want to do.
With time, we’ve learned how to communicate with each other and have built a bond we can’t begin to describe, and to trust in each other as well.
We always remember to put something that’s “ZENITH” in our performances, whether it’s in the choreography, costumes, or the overall vibe, and I think and hopefully it shows, while also paying tribute to the original artists as well.
Walk us through your process of preparing for a competition or event. How do you balance choreography, vocals, and stage presence?
In choosing the song we’re going to cover, we usually hold a voting or a poll using everyone’s suggestions and discuss why we think that song suits us.
Then whichever has the majority votes, we start self-practicing before we gather together to practice and clean the formations.
I’m not gonna lie, it’s difficult to balance getting the choreography right and having good stage presence as well, but with constant practice we’re able to achieve that in the littlest time possible. I mean, part of the reason we work so hard in what we do, is to give the best performance and the best version of ourselves to the audience and our fans.
BADVILLAIN’s music often blends fierce concepts with intricate performances. How do you adapt their work to suit Zenith’s strengths?
Luckily, one of ZENITH’s strengths as a group is adapting quickly to different concepts. One of the advantages of having a diverse group skillwise, is that each member brings something unique to the table.
The only thing we need to do is to have the passion and consistency to keep working hard and improving as well.
What’s the most memorable moment you’ve shared on stage, and why did it stand out?
If we had to choose, it would be our debut stage. It was at this moment that we felt all the fruits of our hard work come to life.
That day was our most unforgettable moment, and it’s the foundation of everything we’ve done and everything we still want to do.
As finalists for Cebu KPop Stars 2024, what did you learn from the experience, and how has it shaped Zenith’s growth?
Being finalists for Cebu KPop Stars 2024 was an incredible journey for us. The experience taught us so much, not just about performing, but also about ourselves as a group.
One of the biggest lessons was the importance of resilience. There were moments of doubt and immense pressure, but we learned to push through them together.
This experience has fundamentally shaped our growth. It gave us a much-needed confidence boost, confirming that our hard work is paying off.
It also helped us identify our strengths and weaknesses, allowing us to focus our training more effectively. Most importantly, it solidified our bond. We went into the competition as a group of friends who loved to dance, but we came out as a unified team with a shared vision for our future.
How do you handle the pressure of competing against other talented groups while maintaining teamwork?
We know how it feels to be on that stage, with all eyes on you and the pressure building.
What keeps us together as a team is a few simple but powerful things. First, we always remind ourselves that our real competition isn’t the other groups—it’s us. We focus on being a little bit better than we were the day before, instead of worrying about what everyone else is doing. That way, we stay focused on our own growth and don’t get discouraged. Second, we’re all about open communication.
If someone’s feeling stressed or just not themselves, we talk about it. We have a rule that there’s no judgment, so everyone feels comfortable sharing what’s on their mind. We’re each other’s biggest supporters, whether we’re giving a pep talk right before we go on or just checking in during a tough rehearsal. Finally, we celebrate every single small win.
It could be something as simple as finally nailing a tricky dance move or getting a new formation to look perfect. These little victories remind us that we’re a team, and we’re on this journey together.
It’s not just about winning a trophy; it’s about the entire experience we share as a group. That perspective helps us stay tight and passionate, even when the pressure is at its peak.
With seven members, how do you ensure everyone’s voice and ideas are heard during creative decisions?
With seven of us, making creative decisions could get messy, but we’ve developed a system that works for us. Ultimately, we try to reach a consensus on major decisions. If we can’t agree, we’ll often vote, but we make sure everyone understands the reasoning behind the final choice.
It’s about making sure everyone feels heard and valued, even if their idea isn’t the one we go with. We know that the best creative outcomes happen when everyone feels a sense of ownership over the final product.
What unique strengths does each member bring to Zenith, and how do they complement one another?
Each member of Zenith brings something unique to the table, and that’s what makes our group so strong. Our leader, Frans, is the visionary; she’s great at seeing the big picture and organizing our practices. Yoori and Jalen are our choreography masters—they can create cool choreographies, break down complex moves and teach them to us step-by-step.
Then there’s Micah, our stage presence queen; she has this incredible energy that lights up the stage. Ava is our fashion icon, with a fantastic eye that helps us look our best.
Finally, there’s Cheska and Bea— the group’s sunshine duo, making sure we stay positive and focused, especially when things get tough. We each have a role that complements the others, and together, we form a cohesive unit that’s more than the sum of its parts.
Beyond covers, does Zenith plan to explore original music or other creative projects in the future?
Since all of us come from different dance backgrounds, we definitely do want to try exploring other creative projects and experimenting with various dance genres and learning the culture as well.
Like for example, learning Afro from our friends at Afro Cebu. We’ve also been so incredibly lucky to have a family like XEBU Dance Studio, supporting us in our goals and providing us with the tools that we need in order to properly learn and appreciate the different dance cultures there are.
What message do you want to send to fans through your performances, and how do you hope to impact the K-Pop cover scene in Cebu?
The message we want to send to our fans is simple: we are you. We’re not just up on a stage; we’re fans first, just like them. Every step, every emotion we put into our performances comes from a place of genuine love for K-Pop.
We want our fans to see themselves in us—to feel the same excitement, passion, and dedication that we do. We hope our performances inspire them to pursue their own passions, whether it’s dancing, singing, or anything else they love.
Cebu has an incredible pool of talent, and we want to be a part of a community that pushes each other to get better. We aim to show that a cover group can be more than just a dance crew; it can be a cohesive performance unit with a strong identity.
We believe that by collectively elevating the quality of performances, we can make the Cebu K-Pop cover scene a major force, not just locally, but on a national level as well.
Where do you see Zenith in the next 2–3 years, and what steps are you taking to get there?
In the next 2–3 years, we see Zenith evolving from a cover group into a true performance unit with our own distinct identity.
Our main goal is to become a leading force in the Cebu K-Pop cover scene, and maybe someday, become a respected name on the national level. Right now, we’re focusing on elevating our performances beyond just mimicking the original choreography.
This means dedicating more time to improving our stage presence, developing stronger emotional expressions, and adding our own creative touches to our dance formations and concepts.
We are also working on building our online presence to reach a wider audience and connect with fans more effectively.
Ultimately, we want to create a brand for Zenith that is synonymous with quality, creativity, and the genuine passion we have for K-Pop.
How do you engage with your supporters, and what’s the most touching feedback you’ve received from fans?
We try to be as hands-on as we can with our supporters. We’re very active on our social media, especially on Instagram and TikTok. We also love interacting with them in person at events and competitions.
The most touching feedback we’ve received came from a fan who told us that watching our blindfolded performance during the KDCC 2025 and seeing our teamwork helped them feel more confident and inspired them to pursue their own creative passion.
They said that seeing us overcome challenges together made them believe they could do the same. That kind of feedback goes beyond just appreciating our performance; it shows us that we’re making a real, positive impact, and that means a lot to us.
What advice would you give to aspiring performers who look up to Zenith?
The best advice we can give to aspiring performers is to focus on two things: passion and discipline. Passion is what gets you started, but discipline is what keeps you going. There will be days when you’re tired, unmotivated, and feel like giving up.
That’s where discipline comes in—the dedication to show up to practice, to work on your craft, and to keep pushing yourself even when it’s hard. Also, don’t be afraid to be yourself.
While we’re a K-Pop cover group, we don’t just copy; we try to add our own flair. Find what makes your group unique, and let that shine through. The K-Pop community in Cebu is incredibly welcoming and supportive, so embrace it. Learn from other groups, share your knowledge, and always remember to have fun. The journey is the most important part.
👇 FOLLOW Their GRIND & SHINE:
Facebook: ZENITH – Cover Group
Instagram: @zenith.cebucg
Tiktok: @zenith.cebucg
Youtube: ZENITH – Cover Group
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