“I never thought little ol’ 15-year-old me playing metal guitar in my bedroom would amount to this moment”: Smashing Pumpkins name social media shredder Kiki Wong as new guitarist after 10,000 applications

Smashing Pumpkins and Kiki Wong.

At the beginning of 2024, the Smashing Pumpkins damn-near broke the internet when they announced a worldwide open audition for an additional guitarist to replace the outgoing Jeff Schroeder, resulting in 10,000-plus applications (this writer included). Today, the alt-rock icons announced their new touring guitarist: Kiki Wong.

Wong is one of Instagram’s foremost shredders, with 674k followers to her name. She has performed with Taylor Swift, Usher and Bret Michaels, along with notable rock bands including Nylon Pink, Hellfire Heart, and currently, Vigil of War.