Nickelodeon took a massive gamble back in 2015. They basically tried to bottle the lightning of K-pop before the genre had even fully cracked the Western mainstream. It was loud. It was neon. It was Make It Pop. While some critics at the time dismissed it as a Glee clone with better outfits, the show built a massive, cult-like following that still floods social media comment sections today. But honestly, the most interesting part isn't the show itself—it's what happened to the make it pop cast after the glitter settled and the cameras stopped rolling at Mackendrick Prep.
People forget that this wasn't just a group of actors. They were a legitimate musical act called XO-IQ. They performed at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. They released multiple albums. Then, suddenly, the show ended after two seasons, leaving a void that hasn't quite been filled in the "tween-pop" niche.
Megan Youngblood and the Rise of Megan Lee
If you were a fan of Sun Hi Song, you knew she was the heartbeat of the show. Megan Lee didn't just play a diva; she brought a level of professional vocal talent that most kid-show actors frankly don't have. Before she ever stepped foot on a Nickelodeon set, Megan was already a YouTube sensation and had actually been a trainee in the South Korean idol system.
That history is crucial.
She wasn't just "playing" a K-pop hopeful. She had lived it. After the show, Megan didn't just fade into the background. She leaned heavily into her music roots. You might have caught her on The Voice Season 14, where she ended up on Kelly Clarkson's team. It was a bit of a "wait, is that her?" moment for a lot of fans. She’s continued to release solo music, moving away from the bubblegum sound of XO-IQ and toward more mature, R&B-influenced pop. If you listen to her 2020 single "Me, Myself and I," you can hear the technical growth. She's also stayed active in the voice-over world and acting, but music is clearly the pilot of her career.
The Quiet Power of Louriza Tronco
Louriza Tronco played Jodi Mappa, the fashion-forward, grounded member of the trio. Out of the entire make it pop cast, Louriza has arguably had the most consistent "traditional" acting career in Hollywood. She’s a workhorse.
Look at her IMDb. It’s dense.
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She transitioned from Nick into some pretty major projects. She had a recurring role in the Netflix series The Order, which was a huge shift from the neon hallways of Mackendrick. She’s also appeared in things like Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb and the TV movie Drink, Slay, Love. What makes Louriza’s trajectory interesting is her versatility. She managed to escape the "child star" pigeonhole by taking roles that required more grit. She isn't just the girl in the colorful leggings anymore; she’s a legitimate character actress who can handle sci-fi, horror, and drama.
Corki Chang and the Erika Tham Evolution
Erika Tham played Corki, the high-achieving, violin-playing perfectionist. In real life, Erika’s transition has been the most "aesthetic." If you follow her on Instagram, you know her vibe is now high-fashion, sleek, and very Los Angeles.
She basically reinvented herself.
Erika moved into the songwriting space with a lot of intention. She isn't just singing songs written by a room of 40-year-olds in Nashville. She’s writing her own stuff. Her sound is dark, moody, and sophisticated—think more Ariana Grande "thank u, next" era than "Light It Up." Tracks like "Shhh" and "Admission" show a side of her that the show never allowed to breathe. It’s impressive because many stars from these types of shows struggle to find an identity outside of their character. Erika didn't just find one; she built one from scratch.
Don't Forget Caleb: Dale Whibley’s Path
Dale Whibley was the "fourth member" in many ways, playing the DJ/producer Caleb Davis. Dale brought a specific energy to the show that grounded the high-energy trio. Post-show, Dale has kept a lower profile than the girls, but he hasn't been idle. He’s worked on projects like Shadowhunters and the slasher film There's Someone Inside Your House.
He’s aged into the "leading man" look quite well.
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The chemistry between the four of them was what made the show work, even when the plots were, let’s be real, a little thin. They felt like actual friends. And that leads to a question that drives fans crazy: are they still friends?
The Reality of Post-Nickelodeon Relationships
Usually, these casts drift apart. It’s the nature of the business. You work 14-hour days together for two years, and then you want to see anyone else. But the make it pop cast has been surprisingly supportive of one another. You’ll still see them popping up in each other's comments or posting throwback photos for anniversaries. There isn't the public "beef" that you sometimes see with Disney or Nick casts. They seem to view that time as a shared boot camp that they all survived together.
Why the Show Ended So Soon
A lot of people think the show was canceled because of low ratings. That's not entirely the whole story. While it wasn't a SpongeBob-level juggernaut, it performed well in the international market. The real issue was often the logistical nightmare of a musical show. Rights, recording schedules, and the sheer cost of producing original music for every few episodes is a massive drain on a budget.
Also, the stars were growing up. Fast.
By the end of the second season, the "high school" vibe was starting to feel a bit tight. Nickelodeon's business model usually relies on a high turnover of talent to keep the "tween" demographic locked in. Once the actors hit their early 20s, the network often looks for the next crop of 14-year-olds. It’s a bit cold, but it’s the industry.
The Legacy of XO-IQ and K-Pop Influence
We have to talk about the "K-pop" elephant in the room. Make It Pop was created by Nick Cannon and Thomas W. Lynch. At the time, they faced some criticism for "Westernizing" the K-pop aesthetic. Some argued it was cultural appropriation; others saw it as a gateway for Western kids to discover actual Korean artists like Girls' Generation or 2NE1.
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Looking back from 2026, the show looks incredibly prophetic.
Today, K-pop is the dominant force in global music. Blackpink and BTS are household names. Make It Pop was basically the early-warning system for a cultural shift that was about to explode. The cast members were pioneers in a way, performing a hybrid style of music that didn't really have a name in the US market yet.
What You Should Do If You're a Fan Today
If you’re feeling nostalgic, don't just re-watch the old episodes on Paramount+. The best way to support the make it pop cast now is to engage with their current work, which is significantly more personal.
- Check out Megan Lee’s YouTube channel. She still vlogs and does covers, and it’s a great way to see her actual personality without the "Sun Hi" filter.
- Listen to Erika Tham’s solo EP. If you want to see how much a person can change in five years, her music is the definitive proof.
- Follow Louriza Tronco’s acting credits. She often takes roles in indie films and Canadian productions that are actually quite good but don't get the massive marketing push of a Nick show.
The show might be over, but the talent was real. These weren't just kids in colorful wigs; they were performers who used a niche Nickelodeon show as a springboard into actual, sustainable careers in a very difficult industry. They didn't "fall off"—they just grew up.
To stay updated on their latest projects, the most reliable method is following their verified Instagram accounts rather than relying on fan wikis, which are notoriously slow to update. Megan and Erika, in particular, are very active in sharing behind-the-scenes looks at their recording sessions and new auditions. Supporting their independent music on platforms like Spotify or Apple Music also makes a much larger impact on their careers than streaming old XO-IQ tracks, as they typically see a higher percentage of those royalties.