Pop's Ultimate Star

We've watched their journeys, and cheered on their successes. They're all household names - but who is the best?

In a brand new show TV2 is bringing together a group of New Zealand's favourite music performers to find out who is "Pop's Ultimate Star".

"The entertainment business is a rollercoaster and "Pop's Ultimate Star" is a brand new show quite different from anything that's gone before", says host Dominic Bowden.

"It brings together a talented group of people who we all know, and who have all been for that same wild ride in front of the New Zealand public on shows like Popstar, Idol and So You Wannabe A Popstar?, and asks one simple question - 'who is the best of the best?'"

"It is going to be huge, they've already proven they're the best, but now the ten performers have got to start afresh," says Bowden, "and over nine weeks convince four judges, and the public at home that they should walk away with $50,000 and the title of "Pop's Ultimate Star".

The Contestants are Rosita Vai (winner Idol 2), Camillia Temple (third place Idol 1), David Wikaira-Paul (winner So You Wanna Be A Popstar?, Shortland Street), Matt Saunoa (winner Idol 3), Ben Lummis (winner Idol 1), Keri Harper (TrueBliss - Popstars), Joe Cotton (TrueBliss - Popstars), Nik Carlson (runner-up Idol 2), and Steve Broad (third place Idol 2).

Joining them is a special guest and contestant, Emily Williams, a New Zealander living in Australia who came second in Australian Idol in 2005.

Contestants will perform live on-stage at TVNZ's Avalon Studios in Lower Hutt each week, singing in different combinations - groups, duets and as individuals - in front of the public and a judging panel. The songs to be performed each week will be set by the judges.

The bottom two contestants by public vote will be announced at the end of the Sunday show, and must sing for their survival in front of the judges in a Wednesday elimination show, with the judges deciding who goes home.

The judging panel is made up of NZ music industry veterans Peter Urlich, Jordan Luck, Harry Lyon and Kim Willoughby, and references some of the great bands in NZ music history, including The Dudes, The Exponents, Hello Sailor and When The Cat's Away.
(Source: http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/488124/1121009)