Idols (also known as the SuperStar in other countries) is a reality television singing competition format created by British television producer Simon Fuller and developed by Fremantle. The format began in 2001 with the British television series Pop Idol; its first adaptation was the Polish series Idol in 2002. It has since become the world's most widely watched television franchise, as well as one of the most successful entertainment formats, adapted in over 46 regions around the world, with its various versions broadcast to 150 countries with a worldwide audience of roughly 3.2 billion people. The franchise has generated more than $2.5 billion in revenue.
Each season, the series aims to find the most outstanding unsigned solo recording artist (or "idol") in a region. Originally aimed for pop singers, the series has since evolved to accept singers from different genres of music, such as rock, R&B, and country. Through a series of mass auditions, a group of finalists are selected by a panel of judges (which usually consists of artists and record producers) who offer critiques on their performances. The finalists then advance to the weekly live shows. On each live show, the contestants all sing, the television audience votes (by telephone, SMS Internet, and via apps), and then the contestant who receives the fewest votes gets eliminated. The final episode is the grand finale episode, when usually two, but sometimes three or four, finalists are left, and the contestant who gets the largest number of votes is declared the winner. The winner receives a recording contract, monetary prizes, and a title as their nation's "Idol", "SuperStar" or "Star". Sometimes one or more of the runners-up get recording contracts as well.
The various series have launched the careers of a number of highly successful recording artists around the world, including Idols winners Will Young of the United Kingdom, Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Scotty McCreery, Fantasia, Ruben Studdard, David Cook, and Phillip Phillips of the United States. Kurt Nilsen who won in Norway. Ryan Malcolm and Kalan Porter who won in Canada. Guy Sebastian of Australia, and Elvis Blue of South Africa. Contestants who did not win but have still gone on to prominence include Anthony Callea, Ricki-Lee Coulter, and Jessica Mauboy, of Australia, Carly Rae Jepsen, of Canada, and Clay Aiken, Chris Daughtry, Gabby Barrett, Lauren Alaina, and Adam Lambert of the United States, among many others. Some Idols contestants have also achieved success in acting and musical theater, most notably Academy Award winner Jennifer Hudson of American Idol.
International versions[]
Adult editions[]
| Country | Local title | Network | Judges |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albania Kosovo |
Superstar | PRO1 | TBA |
| Arab World | سوبر ستار SuperStar |
Future TV | Elias Rahbani, Abdallah Al Qaoud, Fadia Tenb Al Hadj, Ziad Botrous |
| Arab Idol | MBC 1 | Ragheb Alama, Ahlam, Hassan El Shafei, Nancy Ajram, Wael Kfoury | |
| Saudi Idol | Aseel Abu Bakr, Assala, Ahlam, Majid Al Mohandis | ||
| Armenia | Հայ Սուպերսթար Hay Superstar |
Shant TV | Michael Poghosyan, Egor Glumov, Naira Gurjianyan, André, Leila Saribekyan, Avet Barsekhyan, Garik Baboyan |
| Australia | Australian Idol | Network Ten | Marcia Hines, Kyle Sandilands, Mark Holden, Ian "Dicko" Dickson, Jay Dee Springbett |
| Seven Network | Current: Marcia Hines, Kyle Sandilands, Amy Shark Former: Meghan Trainor, Harry Connick Jr. | ||
| Bangladesh | Bangladeshi Idol | SA TV | Andrew Kishore, Ayub Bachchu, Ferdausi Rahman, Mehreen Mahmud |
| Belgium | Idool | VTM | Jean Blaute, Jan Leyers, Nina De Man, Bart Brusseleers, Vera Mann, Herman Schueremans, Patrick Carbonez, Sylvia Van Driesche, Wounter Van Belle, Koen Buyse |
| Brazil | Ídolos | SBT, RecordTV | Arnaldo Saccomani, Cyz Zamorano, Thomas Roth, Carlos Eduardo Miranda, Luiz Calainho, Paula Lima, Marco Camargo, Luiza Possi, Rick Bonadio, Fafá de Belém, Supla |
| Bulgaria | Music Idol | bTV | Yordanka Hristova, Slavi Trifonov, Gloria, Doni, Vili Kazasyan, Dimitar Kovalchev – Funky, Esil Duran, Lucy Diakovska, Maria (main judges) Philipp Kirkorov (guest judge) |
| Cambodia | Cambodian Idol | Hang Meas HDTV | Current: Aok Sokunkanha, Nop Bayyareth, Chhorn Sovannareach, Sok Seylalin Former: Preap Sovath, Chhorn Sovannareach |
| Canada | Canadian Idol | CTV | Farley Flex, Jake Gold, Sass Jordan, Zack Werner |
| China | 中国梦之声 Chinese Idol | Dragon TV | Han Hong, Huang Xiaoming, Coco Lee, Wang Wei-chung, Vivian Hsu, Richie Jen, Guo Jingming (main judges) Adam Lambert (guest judge) |
| Colombia | Idol Colombia | RCN Televisión | Peter Manjarres, Rasario, Alejandro Villalobos, Eddy Herrera |
| Croatia | Hrvatski Idol | Nova TV | Đorđe Novković, Miroslav Škoro, Nikša Bratoš, Goran Karan |
| Hrvatska traži zvijezdu | RTL | Tony Cetinski, Goran Lisica-Fox, Ivana Mišerić, Anđa Marić, Jelena Radan | |
| Superstar | Severina, Tonči Huljić, Filip Miletić, Nika Turković | ||
| Czech Republic | Česko hledá SuperStar | TV Nova | Leoš Mareš, Ondřej Hejma, Ilona Csáková, Eduard Klezla |
| Czech Republic Slovakia |
Current: SuperStar Former: Česko Slovenská SuperStar |
TV Nova, Markíza | Current: Pavol Habera, Leoš Mareš, Monika Bagárová, Patricie Pagáčová, Marián Čekovský Former: Matěj Ruppert, Ben Cristovao, Katarína Knechtová, Marta Jandová, Ondřej Soukup, Klára Vytisková, Ewa Farna, Rytmus, Gabriela Osvaldová, Helena Zeťová, Dara Rolins, Ondřej Hejma |
| Denmark | Idols | TV3 | Thomas Blanchman, Kjeld Wennick, Henriette Blix, Carsten Kroeyer |
| East Africa | Idols | DStv | Lebogang Mzwimbi, Thato Matlhabaphiri, Angela Angwenyi, Trevor Siyandi, Kawesa Richard |
| Estonia | Eesti otsib superstaari | TV3 | Rein Rannap, Heidy Purga, Mihkel Raud, Maarja-Liis Ilus, Mart Sander, Tanel Padar, Jarek Kasar, Koit Toome, Eda-Ines Etti, Birgit Sarrap |
| Finland | Idols | MTV3 | Jone Nikula, Asko Kallonen, Nina Tapio, Kim Kuusi, Jarkko Valtee, Hannu Korkeamäki, Nanna Mikkonen, Patric Sarin, Sami Pitlkämö, Laura Voutilainen, Tommi Liimatainen, Sini Sabotage, Jussi 69, Lauri Ylönen, Antti Tuisku, Erin, Jurek Reunamäki |
| France | A la Recherche de la Nouvelle Star | M6 | André Manoukian, Dove Attia, Varda Kakon, Lionel Florence |
| Nouvelle Star | André Manoukian, Dove Attia, Marianne James, Manu Katché, Sinclair, Lio, Phillippe Manœuvre, Marco Prince, Benjamin Biolay, Dany Synthé, Cœur de pirate, Nathalie Noennec | ||
| D8 | André Manoukian, Sinclair, Maurane, Olivier Bas, Elodie Frégé, Yarol Poupaud, JoeyStarr | ||
| Georgia | ჯეოსტარი Geostar |
Rustavi 2 | Unknown |
| საქართველოს ვარსკვლავი Georgian Idol - Sakartvelos Varskvlavi | |||
| ჩვენ ვარსკვლავები ვართ We Are The Stars - Chven-Varskvlavebi Vart |
Imedi TV | ||
| საქართველოს ვარსკვლავი Georgian Idol - Sakartvelos Varskvlavi | |||
| Germany | Deutschland sucht den Superstar | RTL | Current: Dieter Bohlen, Pietro Lombardi, Loredana, Beatrice Egli Former: Thomas Bug, Shona Fraser, Thomas M. Stein, Sylvia Kollek, Heinz Henn, Anja Lukaseder, Andreas Läsker, Nina Eichinger, Volker Neumüller, Fernanda Brandão, Patrick Nuo, Natalie Horler, Bruce Darnell, Bill Kaulitz, Tom Kaulitz, Mateo Jaschik, Kay One, Mietze Katz, Marianne Rosenberg, Mandy Capristo, DJ Antoine, Heino, Vanessa Mai, Michelle, H.P. Baxxter, Shirin David, Ella Endlich, Mousse T., Carolin Niemczyk, Oana Nechiti, Xavier Naidoo, Maite Kelly, Mike Singer, Ilse DeLange, Toby Gad, Florian Silbereisen, Katja Krasavice, Leony |
| Greece | Super Idol | Mega TV | Elena Katrava, Konstantis Spyropoulos, Ilias Psinakis |
| Greek Idol | Alpha TV | Petros Kostopoulosk, Dimitris Kontopoulos, Maro Theodoraki, Kostas Kapetanidis, Elli Kokkinou | |
| Iceland | Idol stjörnuleit | Stöð 2 | Bubbi Morthens, Siglríøour Beinteinsdóttir, þorvaldur Bjarni þorvaldsson, Páll Óskar, Einar Bárøarson, Björn Jörundur Friøbjørnsson, Selma Björnsdóttir, Jón Ólafsson, Herra Hnetusmjör, Birgitta Haukdal, Bríet, Daníel Ágúst Haraldsson |
| India (Hindi) | Indian Idol | Sony Entertainment Television | Current: Shreya Ghoshal, Kumar Sanu, Vishal Dadlani Former: Farah Khan, Sonu Nigam, Javed Akhtar, Alisha Chinai, Udit Narayan, Kailash Kher, Sonali Bendre, Sunidhi Chauhan, Salim Merchant, Asha Bhosle, Javed Ali, Anu Malik, Sonu Kakkar, Neha Kakkar, Himesh Reshammiya |
| India (Marathi) | Indian Idol Marathi | Sony Marathi | Ajay Gogavale, Atul Gogavale |
| India (Telugu) | Telugu Indian Idol | Aha | Thaman S, Nithya Menen, Karthik |
| Indonesia | Indonesian Idol | RCTI | Current: Anang Hermansyah, Judika, Bunga Citra Lestari, Rossa, David Bayu Former: Titi DJ, Meuthia Kasim, Dimas Djayadiningrat, Indra Lesmana, Indy Barends, Jamie Aditya, Agnez Mo, Erwin Gutawa, Ahmad Dhani, Tantri Syalindri, Armand Maulana, Ari Lasso, Maia Estianty |
| Iraq | Iraq Idol | MBC Iraq | Saif Nabeel, Hatem Al Iraqi, Rahma Riad |
| Israel | כוכב נולד A Star Has Been Born |
Channel 2 | Izhar Ashdot, Mati Caspi, Roni Brown, Tzedi Tzarfati, Riki Gal, Svika Pick, Margalit Tzan'ani, Gal Uchovsky, Dana International, Pablo Rosenberg, Miri Mesika, Yair Nitzani, Gidi Gov, Moshe Peretz |
| Kazakhstan | SuperStar KZ | Channel One Eurasia | Batyrkhan Shukenov, Roman Rayfeld, Arman Murzagaliev, Lyayla Sultan-Kyzy, Dariga Nazarbayeva, Almaz Amirseitov, Oleg Markov, Diana Snegina, Nagima Eskalieva, Ludmila Kim, Kayrat Kulbayev, Igor Sirtsov, Taras Boichenko, Serik Akishev |
| Kurdistan | Kurd Idol | Kurdsat | Bijan Kamkar, Kanî, Adnan Karim, Nizamettin Ariç |
| Latin America | Latin American Idol | Sony Entertainment Television | Erika de la Vega, Monchi Balestra, Jon Secada, Mimi, Gustavo Sánchez, Oscar Mediavilla |
| Macedonia | Macedonian Idol | A1 | Kaliopi Bukle, Igor Džambazov, Toni Mihajlovski |
| Malaysia | Malaysian Idol | 8TV, TV3 | Paul Moss, Roslan Aziz, Fauziah Latiff |
| Maldives | Maldivian Idol | Television Maldives | Ahmed Ibrahim, Ibrahim Zaid Ali, Unoosha, Ismail Affan, Zara Mujthaba |
| Myanmar | Myanmar Idol | Myanmar National TV, Channel 9 | Chan Chan, Ye Lay, May Sweet, Myanmar Pyi Thein Than, Tin Zar Maw, Myo Kyawt Myaing, Yan Aung, Aung Ko Latt, Phyu Phyu Kyaw Thein |
| Nepal | Nepal Idol | AP1 TV | Current: Sambhujeet Baskota, Sugam Pokharel, Subani Moktan Former: Nyhoo Bajracharya, Kali Prasad Baskota, Indira Joshi |
| Netherlands | Idols | RTL 4 | Edwin Jansen, Henkjan Smits, Eric Van Tijn, Jerney Kaagman, John Ewbank, Gordon Heuckeroth, Martijn Krabbé, Ronald Molendijk, Jamai Loman, Eva Simons |
| New Zealand | NZ Idol | TV2 | Frankie Stevens, Fiona McDonald, Paul Ellis, Jackie Clarke, Iain Stables, Megan Alatini |
| Nigeria | Nigerian Idol | various | Current: Omawumi, Ric Hassani, 9ice Former: Jeffrey Daniel, Yinka Davies, Audu Maikori, Charly Boy, Femi Kuti, Naeto C, Darey, Nneka, Dede Mabiaku, Obi Asika, Seyi Shay, DJ Sose, D'banj, Simi |
| Norway | Idol | TV 2 | Current: Tshawe Baqwa, Silje Larsen Borgan, Andreas Haukeland Former: Jan Fredrik Karlsen, Ole Evenrud, Morten Ståle Nilsen, Lena Midtveit, Anneli Drecker, Douglas Carr, Thomas Strzelecki, Tone-Lise Skagefoss, Tor Milde, David Eriksen, Amund Bjørklund, Hans Olav Grøttheim, Asbjørn Slettemark, Benedicte Adrian, Mariann Thomassen, Bertine Zetlitz Marion Ravn, Hans-Erik Dyvik Husby, Gunnar Greve Petterson, Tone Damli Aaberge, Kurt Nilsen, Esben Selvig, Ina Wroldsen, Øyvind Sauvik, Sandeep Singh |
| Pakistan | Pakistan Idol | Geo Entertainment | Hadiqa Kiani, Ali Azmat, Bushra Ansari |
| Philippines | Philippine Idol | ABC | Ryan Cayabyab, Pilita Corrales, Francis Magalona |
| Pinoy Idol | GMA Network | Ogie Alcasid, Jolina Magdangal, Wyngard Tracy | |
| Idol Philippines | ABS-CBN | Regine Velasquez, Moira Dela Torre, Vice Ganda, James Reid | |
| Kapamilya Channel, A2Z, TV5 | Regine Velasquez, Moira Dela Torre, Gary Valenciano, Chito Miranda | ||
| Poland | Idol | Polsat | Elżbieta Zapendowska, Janusz Panasewicz, Ewa Farna, Wojciech Łuszcykiewicz, Jacek Cygan, Robert Leszczyński, Kuba Wojewódzki, Marcin Prokop, Maciej Maleńczuk |
| Portugal | Ídolos | SIC | Sofia Morais, Manuel Moura Dos Santos, Luis Jardim, Ramón Galarza, Laurent Filipe, Roberta Medina, Pedro Boucherie Mendes, Bárbara Guimarães, Tony Carreira, Pedro Abrunhosa, Paulo Ventura, Maria João Bastos |
| Puerto Rico | Idol Puerto Rico | WAPA-TV | Topy Mamery, Ricardo Montaner, Yolandita Monge, Erika Ender, Jerry Rivera, Milly Quezada, Noel Schajris, Elvis Crespo |
| Romania | SuperStar România | Pro TV | Carla's Dreams, Marius Moga, Raluka, Smiley |
| Russia | Народный Артис People's Artist |
Russia-1 | Evgeniy Fridllyand, Maksim Dunayevsky, Gennady Khazanov, Alena Sviidova |
| Serbia and Montenegro North Macedonia |
Idol | RTV BK Telecom | Saša Dragić, Petar Janjatović, Biljana Bakić, Mirko Vukomanović |
| Singapore | Singapore Idol | MediaCorp Channel 5 | Dick Lee, Florence Lian, Ken Lim, Douglas Oliverio, Jacintha Abisheganaden |
| Slovakia | Slovensko hľadá SuperStar | STV | Laco Lučenič, Pavol Habera, Lenka Slaná, Julo Viršík, Jana Hubinská |
| Markíza | Laco Lučenič, Pavol Habera, Dara Rolins | ||
| South Africa (English) | Idols | M-Net, Mzansi Magic | Somizi Mhlongo, Thembi Seete, JR, Randall Abrahams, Unathi Nkayi, Gareth Cliff, Mara Louw, Dave Thompson, Marcus Brewster, Penny Lebyane |
| South Africa (Afrikaans) | Idols | kykNET | Mynie Grové, Deon Maas, Taliep Petersen |
| Sweden | Idol | TV4 | Current: Alexander Kronlund, Katia Mosally, Anders Bagge, Kishti Tomita Former: Nikki Amini, Fredrik Kempe, Quincy Jones III, Alexander Bard, Laila Bagge, Pelle Lidell, Andreas Carlsson, Daniel Breitholtz, Peter Swartling, Claes af Geijerstam |
| Turkey | Popstar Türkiye | Kanal D | Armağan Çağlayan, Ercan Saatçi, Ahmet San, Deniz Seki, Zerrin Özer |
| Türkstar | Show TV | Haldun Dormen, Gamze Özçelik, Zerrin Özer | |
| United Kingdom | Pop Idol | ITV | Nicki Chapman, Simon Cowell, Neil Fox, Pete Waterman |
| United States | American Idol | Fox | Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson, Kara DioGuardi, Ellen DeGeneres, Jennifer Lopez, Steven Tyler, Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj, Keith Urban, Harry Connick Jr. |
| ABC | Current: Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood Former: Katy Perry | ||
| Vietnam | Vietnam Idol | HTV7, HTV9, VTV3, VTV6, VTV9 | Current: Nguyễn Quang Dũng, Mỹ Tâm, Huy Tuấn Former: Bằng Kiều, Thanh Bùi, Thu Minh, Trương Anh Quân, Quốc Trung, Siu Black, Nguyễn Tuấn Khanh, Hà Hùng Dũng, Trần Mạnh Tuấn, Hồ Hoài Anh, Đặng Diễm Quỳnh |
| West Africa | Idols | M-Net | Dede Mabiaku, Abrewa Nana, Dan Foster |
Kids editions[]
| Country | Local title | Network | Judges |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brazil | Ídolos Kids | RecordTV | Afonso Nigro, João Gordo, Kelly Key |
| Cambodia | Cambodian Idol Junior | Hang Meas HDTV | Current: Sok Seylalin, Sokun Nisa, Zono Former: Preap Sovath, Chhorn Sovannareach |
| Germany | Deutschland sucht den Superstar Kids | RTL Television | Dieter Bohlen, Michelle Hunziker, Dana Schweiger |
| India | Indian Idol Junior | Sony Entertainment Television | Vishal Dadlani, Shreya Ghoshal, Shekhar Ravjiani, Salim Merchant, Shalmali Kholgade, Sonakshi Sinha |
| Indonesia | Indonesian Idol Junior | MNCTV | Daniel Mananta, Regina Ivanova, Titi DJ, Irvnat, Vidi Aldiano, Nola AB Three |
| RCTI | Rossa, Rizky Febian, Maia Estianty, Rayi Putra | ||
| Nepal | Nepal Idol Junior | AP1TV | TBA |
| Norway | Idol Junior | TV 2 | Alejandro Fuentes, Aleksander With, Margaret Berger, Sandra Lyng |
| Portugal | Ídolos Kids | SIC | Unknown |
| Puerto Rico | Idol Kids Puerto Rico | WAPA-TV | Erika Ender, Edgardo Diaz, Florentino Primera, Servando Primera, Ana Isabelle, Kany Garcia |
| Spain | Idol Kids | Telecinco | Current: Omar Montes, Ana Mena, Ángeles Muñoz, Dioni Martín Former: Edurne, Carlos Jean, Isabel Pantoja |
| United States | American Juniors | Fox | Debbie Gibson, Gladys Knight, Justin Guarini, Nick Carter, Lamont Dozier, Mary Wilson, Brian McKnight, Jordan Knight, Monica, Dionne Warwick |
Winner competitions[]
| Country | Local title | Network | Judges |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asia | Asian Idol | RCTI, Sony Entertainment Television, 8TV, ABC, MediaCorp Channel 5, HTV9 | Anu Malik, Indra Lesmana, Paul Moss, Pilita Corrales, Ken Lim, Siu Black |
| Worldwide | World Idol | Future TV, Network Ten, VTM, CTV, RTL Television, RTL 4, TV 2, Polsat, M-Net, ITV, Fox | Randall Abrahams, Simon Cowell, Nina De Man, Ian "Dicko" Dickson, Shona Fraser, Jan Fredrik Karlsen, Elias Rahbani, Henkjan Smits, Pete Waterman, Zack Werner, Kuba Wojewódzki |