If you've ever wondered what it's like to write music for the industry's biggest pop stars, look no further. Netflix's new series Hitmakers shows audiences just that, bringing together 12 experienced songwriters to have a "camp" that encourages them to produce hits.
Throughout the reality TV show, the songwriters are randomly assigned into different groups, challenging them to work with different personalities. There is unexpected tension, however, between the one couple in the cast, and now fans are calling it out as potentially toxic.
Jenna And Stephen Have Communication Issues
The one couple in the cast is Jenna Andrews and Stephen Kirk, who met and began dating while writing BTS' hit single "Butter" together. There are times when the two are split up into different groups, and the cast pointed out how they didn't like the playboy way in which Stephen talked about women while he was in a committed relationship.
At other times, tensions arose when other cast members noted Stephen treated Jenna poorly. When the couple has everyone over for a dinner party, for instance, Jenna talks at length about their home renovation, and Stephen, growing bored of her stories, turns to her and rudely says "next song" to her in front of the group.
In a Reddit thread discussing Stephen's behavior, fans pointed out that he might even be on the verge of emotional abuse towards Jenna:
His behavior patterns are textbook for a type of relationship abuse called “coercive control.” It’s been studied and researched since the 70s. Guarantee more than one of the people filming or in onscreen cast have either personal experience with it or know the term, and flagged the issue. It also seems to be a reputation-sensitive career... There are definitely female artists who won’t touch you if you seem like a bro to a guy who is later in the headlines for damaging his gf.
The Cast Stepped In To Intervene
Things grow so uncomfortable with the cast that, at one point, two of the other men pull Stephen aside to discuss the situation. While some fans thought it wasn't their place to speak about someone else's relationship, others thought it helped to set a healthy precedent within such a visible industry:
When they first stepped out to have a convo with Stephen, I was a little like, "Ummm... this is not their business..." But when they said, "Hey, we as men need to hold each other accountable and not act like people always say men in this industry act." That made me respect what they were doing. It would be the same if one of the women sidled up to Jenna and was all, "Girl, are you safe at home?"
At first, Stephen appears defensive about the situation, swearing at the others and explaining that the only person whose opinion he cares about is Jenna herself. By the end of the season, he seems to have somewhat come around to their words, but he remains slightly prickly even up through the finale.
In a separate conversation, another cast member, Blu (part of producing duo NovaWav), pulls Jenna aside to check in on her. In hushed tones, Blu asks if Jenna is "good," hoping that she would be honest if anything were actually wrong in her relationship. Jenna insists that things are fine, telling the cameras that she knows her man well and still supports him.
As of now, it has not been announced whether Hitmakers will be back for Season 2. All episodes of Season 1 are currently available to stream on Netflix.
- Network
- Netflix
- Genre
- Reality TV
- Premiere Date
- July 24, 2025
Hitmakers is a reality TV series on Netflix that dives deep into the high-stakes world of songwriting and music production. Set in a competitive format, the show brings together a diverse group of up-and-coming songwriters from around the globe, all vying for the chance to break into the music industry. Each episode follows contestants as they craft and pitch their original songs to a panel of established music producers, recording artists, and A&R executives. These judges bring a wealth of industry experience and aren’t afraid to offer blunt, constructive feedback. The series doesn’t just focus on the performances—it also showcases the behind-the-scenes moments of creative struggle, mentorship, and collaboration. By offering a real-world look at what it takes to create a hit song from scratch, Hitmakers sets itself apart from more traditional talent competitions.
As the competition advances, so do the emotional and professional stakes. Contestants are not only judged on vocal performance or charisma but on their ability to write commercially viable, emotionally resonant music under tight deadlines and pressure. Viewers watch as raw lyrics evolve into fully produced songs, often with the help of celebrity guest producers or surprise collaborations. The format includes weekly eliminations, studio challenges, and live showcases that culminate in a finale where the top contestant earns the opportunity to have their winning song professionally released by a major artist or label. Streaming on Netflix, Hitmakers blends the personal journey of each songwriter with the broader reality of today’s music business—highlighting how rare, and rewarding, true originality can be.
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