Ep 5. New Voices

New Voices is the fifth episode of the first season of the American musical drama television series Star. The episode revolves around the aftermath of the group's successful performance at the Atlanta NextFest, which involved Alexandra's father, Roland, throwing money around for their career. The group is now faced with new challenges they must overcome.

As the episode opens, we see that Star is still in shock after discovering that her mother is not dead and is residing in a mental facility. Meanwhile, Alexandra is dealing with her father's disappointment in her for going against his wishes and performing with Star. The group decides to channel their emotions into their music and head back into the studio to work on new material. However, they soon discover that they will have to share the studio with a girl group, Take 3, who are also working on their music.

The girls are at first hesitant to collaborate with Take 3 but eventually, they agree to work together, with Take 3's lead singer Eva playing a significant role in helping the group shape their sound. Alex and Eva bond over their respective troubles with their fathers and gain a better understanding of each other's perspectives. Simone and Star, however, are not as successful in their collaboration, but with encouragement from Eva, they eventually find common ground and complete the song they had been working on.

The episode takes a dark turn when Alexandra confronts her father about his recent behavior and learns that he has been embezzling money from his company. Roland tries to justify his actions, but Alexandra is disgusted and decides to cut ties with him completely. She later confides in Jackson, and they share a meaningful moment before he has to leave. Later on, Star and Simone receive news that their godmother, Carlotta, has been arrested on drug charges.

The girls come together to support Carlotta, but in the process, they discover that the arrest has been orchestrated by Jahil, a shady music producer with whom Carlotta has a history. Meanwhile, Eva's mother confronts her about her sexual orientation, and Eva is forced to make a tough decision about her future. The episode concludes with the group performing at a charity event for hurricane relief and finally finding their voice as a united front.

Overall, New Voices is a pivotal episode in the first season of Star, as it explores issues of identity, family, and trust. The episode is character-driven, with each member of the group facing their own set of challenges and overcoming them in their own way. The themes of collaboration and musical creativity are also heavily emphasized, with the girls learning to embrace new voices and work together to achieve success. The episode sets the stage for the rest of the season, with the group solidifying their bond and facing even more hurdles as they navigate the complex world of the music industry.