Digicel Rising Stars, Jamaica’s most successful television show bows in for its fifth anniversary season with a new look and more auditions.
“We’ll be even more aggressive in our search for Jamaica’s next star this year with 6 auditions, so locations like Portmore and St. Thomas are fitting because they will be uncharted territories for our audition team, exposing the talent we know exists in these areas,” said Tahnida Nunes, executive producer.
“Change is natural, especially for a show like this so when we get to the big five year milestone it’s usually a good time to refresh what we do. Our viewers can expect a range of additions to the show’s look and line-up including a new host.” added Mike Hogan, creator/executive producer for the show.
“We are very grateful to Denise Hunt for the work that she put into the show; her passion for the show had a lot to do with how well we connected with audiences. We will introduce a new host on June 7 that I am sure that the show’s fans are going to love; there’s an effervescence that’s wonderful to watch.”
In addition to the new host, Digicel Rising Stars viewers can expect to be more involved by way of the online extensions of the show.
“The Jamaican people, to whom we attribute the show’s continued success, will have a chance to decide on some elements of the show, like what the host will wear among other things.” Hogan explained
More than Just Entertainment
Looking to the show’s track record so far, Hogan pointed out that Digicel Rising Stars is a legitimate platform on which musical careers have been launched.
“Digicel Rising Stars provides more than quality entertainment; it is also a valuable portal to successful musical careers. And it is not just those who placed first like Cavan, Chris Martin, and One Third but other participants like Noddy Virtue and Nikeisha Barnes are now just as popular; they are making significant strides as well and audiences are demanding them.”
As the show continues to grow in popularity, so too does the sponsor’s list. This year, KFC will join the show, while TVJ returns as broadcast partner. Pepsi, National Commercial Bank, RJR Communications Group, The Star, Sony Ericsson and the Knutsford Court Hotel will all make their return.
Tina Matalon, marketing manager, KFC explained that there existed some obvious synergies between her company and the legacy of the Digicel Rising Stars which influenced the company’s decision to be a part of the show this year.
“We are very interested in activities that unearth talents of Jamaican youth, and like the KFC brand , Digicel Rising Stars is fun, exciting, vibrant and everybody wants a piece of it,” she laughed.
Digicel Rising Stars is open to anyone over the age of 16, who is not currently signed to a management or recording contract, and is a citizen of Jamaica or has a visa entitling them to enter and work in Jamaica. At the auditions, participants may either perform individually or in groups of up to six. Participants who are unsuccessful at one audition location have the option of auditioning at another location, since there are six audition dates this year.
This year’s winner will receive $1 million, the opportunity to release two singles and a music video. The first runner up will receive $600,000 and a single, while the second runner up is set to receive $400,000 and a single.
Nadine Sutherland, Anthony Miller and Clyde McKenzie return as the Digicel Rising Stars judges and the two presenters are expected to bring their own energy to this dynamic bunch.
Fact Sheet
Digicel Rising Stars is in its fifth season, having been launched in 2004, and is the first live televised talent search in Jamaica.
How to enter
Digicel Rising Stars is open to anyone over the age of 16, who is not currently signed to a management or recording contract, and is a citizen of Jamaica or has a visa entitling them to enter and work in Jamaica. At the auditions, participants may either perform individually or in groups of up to six. Participants who are unsuccessful at one audition location have the option of auditioning at another location, since there are six audition dates this year.
The auditions
This year the number of auditions have increased to six, with Portmore and St. Thomas added as new venues. These are the key audition dates for the 2008 season:
Saturday, April 26 St. Thomas, Paul Bogle High School
Saturday, May 3 Mandeville, Manchester High
Saturday, May 10 St. James, Club Inferno
Saturday, May 17 Portmore, Portmore Heart Academy
Saturday, May 24 Ocho Rios, Hibiscus Lodge Hotel
Saturday, May 31 Kingston, Young Women’s Christian Association
Sponsors
Digicel returns as the show’s title sponsors. Associate sponsors include: National Commercial Bank, Sony Ericsson, The Knutsford Court Hotel, RJR Communication Group, The Star, Pepsi and KFC.
Production
Sharon Schroeter, in her second stint as series producer, will be joined by Mark Kenny, consultant producer, - making a return to the crew – for the audition phase of this year’s competition. Tahnida Nunes, who has been involved with the show since its inception, will serve as this year’s executive producer along with creator/executive producer Michael Hogan.
