Popstars 2015 was the eleventh and final season of the German reality TV series Popstars, in which aspiring female singers aged 16 or older competed for a place in a new band. The show returned to its original broadcaster RTL II, which aired seasons 1 and 2 of the show. With the previous bands lacking success, the production intended to return to the show's roots and focus more on the singing and the search for different types of singers. The show aired on Mondays at 8:15 pm. Due to very low ratings, it was moved to 9:15 pm. However, ratings continued to drop and the show was kicked off the prime-time and moved to a slot airing Saturdays at 6:00 pm.
Changes
In this season, the casting phase was skipped; instead, the producers looked for talented girls all over Germany using social media and YouTube. In the end, 27 girls were invited to audition in front of the jury. After each contestant gave a solo singing performance and participated in group choreography, the jury chose 18 girls to enter the POPSTARS Academy.
"POPSTARS Academy"
Instead of the Workshop phase introduced in earlier seasons, the girls entered the POPSTARS Academy. During their 8-week stay at the Academy, the contestants worked on their singing and dancing skills, songs for their future band, performed as groups in front of the judges, faced eliminations, and got ready for their future life as a band.
Contestants
(Ages stated are at time of contest)
Judge's Call-out order
The contestant was eliminated
The contestant quit the competition
The contestant advanced without performing cause of sickness
The contestant won the competition
In episode 2, Gina Christin quit the competition, and took no part in judging or call-out. In episode 3, Alena was sick, and took no part in judging or call-out. In episode 4, Ina was sick, and took no part in judging or call-out. The episode ended in a cliffhanger with Ina not learning her verdict until the beginning of the next episode. In episode 7, Nadja quit the competition, and took no part in judging or call-out. Despite of that, no one was eliminated.
Episodes
Episode 01: Auditions
Aired on 17 August 2015
After an intensive selection process 27 young women compete to kick off the new "Popstars" season and compete for the coveted places in the academy. Some candidates get right away an opportunity to sing for the jury, while others still have time until the next day to prepare. Friendships start to blossom – but the nervousness increases. The next day after the audition Bella Garcia checked the dance talent of the young women. During an intense choreography training some of them stand out, others have little experience in the dance hall and find it difficult. The candidates rehearse the choreography and eventually perform the choreography in groups in front of the jury. Following Stefanie, Miss Platnum and Bella retire for deliberation to decide which 18 girls will enter the Academy and which 9 will be eliminated.
Advanced to next week: Alena, Christin, Gabriela, Gina Christin, Ina, Larissa, Laura, Nadja, Nini, Patricia, Pauline, Sabrina, Selina, Sophie, Terry -Jo, Timea, Ulana and Veneranda.
Eliminated: Maria, Virginia, Svenja, Susi, Susanne, Ramona, Mariam, Ludivine and Lorena
Episode 02: Interpretation Aired on 24 August 2015The Academy life begins: Following a timetable train the remaining girls in their group songs, share the verses on each other and practice the choreography for her appearance in the first decision show. Candidates learn their new coaches know: vocal coach are Jini Meyer, singer of the band Luxuslärm, and a native of New York Pamela Falcon. Bella Garcia gets support from dance coach Pepita Maria Bauhardt from Berlin.
In a rehearsal room set, the participants meet Miss Platnum and Stefanie Heinzmann. The two jurors jam with the girls, interpret them together with different songs and learn as the voices of the girls know. The two professional singers give valuable advice to each of the young musicians. In a jury hour the girls share in small rounds with Stefanie Heinzmann and speak for the first time about their concerns and desires. Miss Platnum in turn supports the girls in the Vocal Sessions and works closely with the various groups.
At the end of the second episode, the first decision show is on. Just before the show one of the candidates leaves voluntarily. Will she support her band members on the stage or have the remaining girls to divide the song again and shortly develop a different performance? Who needs to leave the Academy at this early stage again.