By Teino Evans, Staff ReporterSTARTING IN May, Jamaicans will have their very own live televised talent search, where new Jamaican acts will be showcased on TVJ.
At the launch of the 'Rising Stars' series, held at The Hilton Kingston Hotel in New Kingston recently, executive producer Michael Hogan said that the show was developed by the Irish based Shinawil Productions Limited and is based on the American Idol format.
The television series, with a production cost of US$1million, will be the highest costing local television programme to date.
'Rising Stars' will host open auditions around the island, starting on April 17 in Ocho Rios, followed by Port Antonio, Montego Bay, Negril, Mandeville and Kingston. After an initial round of eliminations, the show's celebrity judges, Nadine Sutherland, Anthony Miller and A.J. Brown, will select a total of 10 persons from each audition to go through to the first televised programmes, which begin on May 23. At this time, public voting will begin.
The public's votes will determine all further eliminations and, ultimately, the winner of the series, who will be awarded an international management/recording contract during the live grand finale on August 12.
The talent search is open to persons over 16 who are not currently signed to a management/recording contract and are citizens of Jamaica, or who have visas entitling them to enter and work in Jamaica. At the auditions, participants can either perform individually or in groups of up to six. If unsuccessful at one location, may try again at any other location.
Participants will be expected to sing a song of their choice, without musical accompaniment.
