Nancy McDonie is a rising star in the K-pop music scene, known for her stunning vocal range, electrifying dance moves, and captivating stage presence. As a member of the popular girl group Momoland, Nancy has gained a massive following of fans from all over the world who are drawn to her unique talent and magnetic personality. In March 2023, the group disbanded after the contract with MLD Entertainment expired and signed a contract with Aria Diamond. But there’s more to Nancy than just her music career, she has appeared in TV shows like Korea’s Got Talent, Pops in Seoul, Idol Star Athletics Championships, and King of Mask Singer. Learn more about her inspiring journey and rise to fame in this detailed biography.
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Nancy McDonie Biography
Nancy Jewel McDonie was born on April 13, 2000, in Nam-gu, Daegu, South Korea. According to her birthday, she is 23 years old as of 2024.
| Birth Name | Nancy Jewel McDonie |
| Nickname | Aenaen, Jonaensi, Spinach |
| Born | April 13, 2000 |
| Age | 23 years old |
| Birth Sign | Aries |
| Birth Place | Nam-gu, Daegu, South Korea |
| Profession | Singer, Songwriter, Actress, Dancer |
| Nationality | Korean |
| Ethnicity | American and Korean |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Residence | South Korea |
Family and Early Life
Born on April 13, 2000, in Daegu, South Korea, to an American father and a Korean mother, she moved to her father’s hometown of Columbus, Ohio, in 2001 with her family. Her father, Richard Jowel McDonie, worked in the US Army and was stationed in Korea when he met Lee Myeong-ju (Nancy’s mother) and they eventually married. Her father is of Irish-American descent, and her mother is of Korean descent. She has an older sister named Brenda, who is a cellist. After her parents divorced, Nancy and her sisters returned to South Korea with their mother.
Nancy spent most of her childhood in Ohio, where she attended a local elementary school. Nancy’s love for music started at a young age, and she began taking piano lessons when she was four. She also enjoyed singing and dancing and would often perform at local talent shows. She later attended Hanlim Multi Art School, which is a prestigious performing arts high school in South Korea, graduating in 2018
Personal Life
Nancy has not publicly revealed any information about her dating life. She is known for keeping her personal life private and focusing on her career.
Body Measurements
| Height | 5 feet 4 inches or 163 cm |
| Body Build | Slim |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown |
| Hair Color | Dark Brown |
| Sexuality | Straight |
Career and Net Worth
Nancy’s music career began in the early 2010s when she auditioned for the reality show Korea’s Got Talent in 2011 as a teenager. Her career really took off in 2016 when she auditioned for the South Korean talent show Finding Momoland. She was one of the seven contestants who were selected to become members of the girl group Momoland. The group debuted on November 10, 2016, with their first EP, Welcome to Momoland, and made their debut stage performing at M Countdown.
Nancy’s incredible dance skills and stunning visuals quickly made her a fan favorite, and she became one of the most popular members of the group. The group released their mini-album, Great! in 2018, featuring the hit song, “Bboom Bboom”, a huge commercial success. The song became a viral hit, reaching number two on the Gaon Digital Chart, and won several music awards in 2018.
In addition to her music career, Nancy has also pursued acting. In 2017, she starred in the web series Somne Light and had a cameo in the TV show Dae Jang Geum Is Watching in 2018. In January 2023, Nancy along with other members of the group announced their exit from MLD Entertainment following the expiration of the contracts.
Nancy’s popularity has also led to numerous endorsement deals. She has been a brand ambassador for several companies, including the Korean cosmetic brand Etude House and the clothing brand MixxMix. As of 2024, Nancy’s net worth is estimated to be around $1.5 million. This includes her earnings from her music as well as her endorsement deals. She has gained a huge following due to her incredible vocal skills, stunning beauty, and charismatic personality.
Nancy McDonie Facts
In 2011, she was a member of the hip-hop dance group called Cutie Pies and they reached the semi-finals of Korea’s Got Talent.
She was the younger member of the girl group Momoland. The group disbanded in February 2023.
She is fluent in English, Korean, and Spanish.
Nancy has won several awards throughout their career. In 2018, they won the Mnet Asian Music Award for Best New Female Artist and the Seoul Music Award for Best New Artist. They also won the Asia Model Award for Best Global Female Group in 2020.
In 2018, she was featured in TC Candler’s “The 100 Most Beautiful Faces of 2018” list.
She officially changed her name to Lee Geu-roo from Lee Seung-ri on March 20, 2019.