Plot Synopsis

Hosted by Josh Groban, RISING STAR is a singing competition series that allows the viewing audience to use an App to vote during live performances, with the results shown on TV and to the performers, so they can respond to viewer feedback in real time. If voting reaches a certain threshold, the wall rises and the performer moves on. (On the West Coast, home viewers determine whether a lucky contestant gets a second chance.) Before it premiered, RISING STAR held auditions in Dallas (March 29), Atlanta (April 1), Chicago (April 8), Nashville (April 11), Los Angeles (April 15), New York (Aril 24), and Boston (April 26). Plus, aspiring solos, duos, and vocal groups (up to 5 members) were encouraged to submit 15-second audition videos via Instagram. Approximately 30 of these acts -- 10 each week -- were selected to compete in qualifying rounds during the first three weeks of the series. The next phase of competition includes three weeks of duels, where acts compete one-on-one. Those who survive return for the Quarterfinal and then the Semifinal rounds, as the field continues to narrow until the night of the Finals, when just one of the remaining acts will be named the RISING STAR winner. Throughout the competition, Brad Paisley, Kesha and Ludacris comprise the expert panel that mentors and provides feedback to the singers.