Crossword Genius

Popular group to include European starlets (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

ingenues

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'starlets' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both people as well as being plural nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'popular group to include european' is the wordplay.
'popular' becomes 'in' ('in' can mean trendy).
'group' becomes 'genus' (genus is a kind of group).
'to include' indicates putting letters inside.
'european' becomes 'e' (abbreviation e.g. EU).
'genus' enclosing 'e' is 'genues'.
'in'+'genues'='INGENUES'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for ingenues that I've seen before include "Simple girls" , "Naive young things" , "Unsophisticated girls" , "Artless females" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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