Are You The Next Big Star? is a reality music competition to find two new solo musical talents, created and developed by GMA New Media, Inc.. It debuted on May 16, 2009 on GMA Network, and is hosted by Regine Velasquez, with comedian-singer Keempee de Leon as the co-host.
The program seeks to discover the best singer in the country through a series of nationwide auditions. The public decides the outcomes of the later stages through text voting. The judges who give critiques of the contestants' performances have included Pops Fernandez, Randy Santiago, Danny Tan, Mon Faustino and Annie Quintos.
The prizes at stake includes one million pesos (P 1,000,000), a condominium unit from Avida, a management contract from GMA Artist Center and a recording contract from GMA Records. There will be two winners in the show: one male and one female.
On August 23, 2009, on the show's big finale, Frencheska Farr and Geoff Taylor were announced as the next female big star and next male big star respectively. Following the third and final round of the competition, Zyrene Parsad and Jay Perillo were eliminated. Camille Cortez and Alex Castro joined Frencheska Farr and Geoff Taylor in the final round of competition.
Frencheska Farr sang the victory song entitled Show Must Go On while Geoff Taylor sang the victory song entitled Heto Na. Both songs were composed by the show's musical director Raul Mitra and his wife Cacai Velasquez.
In 2008, GMA Network had broadcast the country's second version of the Idol franchise, Pinoy Idol, following ABC's Philippine Idol. Debuting to mixed reaction, GMA's senior Vice President for Entertainment Wilma Galvante had stated that GMA had been attempting to work with FremantleMedia to explore options on how the show could be improved to better cater to the Pinoy audience. However, Darling de Jesus, vice president for Music and Variety programs at GMA, later stated that they "wanted [the next season of Pinoy Idol] to be more Pinoy", but could not come to terms with Fremantle over their changes. It was decided that GMA would instead produce their own music competition, tailored to the Filipino audience. This show would be Are You The Next Big Star?
The episode format and elimination varies per episode. In most episodes, elimination takes place at the beginning of the episode followed by a group performance fit for the theme. Them the hosts will call on two or three contestants to perform consecutively. After that batch's performances, the hosts will call on two judges to give their assessments and critiques, they will then chose their best performers and worst performers per batch. Before each gap, they will feature bits of video recordings showcasing the week's featured celebrity on the segment, "Big Star Diary." At the end of each episodes, two bottom performers from the girls and the boys are called to be voted by the public.
In the July 4th episode, Rachel Gabreza and Justin Taylor were eliminated after the performances at the end of the show. Their elimination was solely based on the judges' decision. Alexa Ortega, Shane Tarun, Greggy Santos and Anton Cruz were automatically part of the July 11 elimination, based on the judges' assessment.
The July 11th episode had a different format, Anton Cruz and Shane Tarun were eliminated at the beginning of the show, their farewell song was considered as their performance song. At the end of the night, the judges announced the bottom group: Alexa Ortega, Christine Allado, Greggy Santos and JP Gonzales. Text voting was opened for the public.
The July 18th episode and the proceeding followed the July 11th episode, that is, elimination takes place at the beginning of the episode. After all the performances, the judges will tally up their scores and announce the bottom two bound for next weeks elimination following the text votes. Theme was also introduced in this episode; this week's theme was "Songs from 1970's". It is to be noted that each eliminated contestant's farewell song goes with the week's theme.
July 25 episode's theme: "Michael Jackson tribute".
August 1 episode's theme: Songs from the 1980s. Since no one from the boys were eliminated during the show, one will surely be eliminated on the next episode.
In the August 8th episode, Greggy Santos became the last contender eliminated from the show before the Big Finale to be held on August 23.
Big Star Diary is a segment were stories of celebrities' struggles before attaining success are featured.
Featured
Richard Gomez - July 11
Allan K. - July 18
Mark Anthony Fernandez - July 25
Manny Pacquiao - August 1
Ogie Alcasid - August 8
Marian Rivera - August 15
Regine Velasquez - August 22
The top 150 had been divided into two batches. The first batch performed one by one last May 16 while the second performed last May 23. The scores where divided into two parts 80% from the judges and 20% from the jury and the top 40 contenders with the highest scores moves to the second round.
The Circle of 16 was announced last June 13, 2008. This consists of 9 boys and 8 girls.
BOYS
Jay Perillo (20 y/o - Tondo, Manila)
PJ Gonzalez (18 y/o - Pasay City)
Alex Castro (23 y/o - Bulacan)
Anton Cruz (16 y/o - Quezon City)
Geoff Taylor (23 y/o - Cagayan Valley)
Justin Francis (19 y/o - San Francisco, CA)
Greggy Santos (23 y/o - Quezon City)
Bobby Solomon (17 y/o - Pasay City)
GIRLS
Camille Cortez (19 y/o - Antipolo)
Alexa Ortega (19 y/o - Quezon City)
Cara Quiapos (17 y/o - Batangas)
Frencheska Farr (16 y/o - Las Piñas City)
Anja Shane Tarun (16 y/o - Isabela Province)
Rachel Gabreza (16 y/o - Cebu City)
Zyrene Parsad (23 y/o - Las Piñas City)
Christine Allado (18 y/o - Quezon City)
BOYS
1. Geoff Taylor
Umbrella (Rihanna) - July 4
Perfect (Simple Plan) - July 11
Love Story (Andy Williams) - July 18
Beat It (Michael Jackson) - July 25
Broken Wings (Mr. Mister) - August 1
Zombie (The Cranberries) - August 8
Pride (In The Name Of Love) (U2) (performed with Jaya) - August 222
Open Arms (Journey) (performed with Jet Pangan) - August 232 (Winner)
What About Love (Heart) (performed with Geneva Cruz) - August 232 (Winner)
Kahit Kailan (South Border) - August 232 (Winner)
2. Alex Castro
This Love (Maroon 5) - July 4
Sabihin Mo Na (Top Suzara) - July 11
Panakip Butas (Hajji Alejandro) - July 18
You Are Not Alone (Michael Jackson) - July 25
Nandito Ako (Ogie Alcasid) - August 1
Basang-Basa Sa Ulan (Aegis) - August 8
Narda (Kamikazee) (performed with Gian Magdangal) - August 222
Huling El Bimbo (Eraserheads) (performed with Ogie Alcasid) - August 232 (Second Place)
I'll Be There For You (Bon Jovi) (performed with Marc Tupaz of Shamrock) - August 232 (Second Place)
Awit ng Kabataan (Rivermaya) - August 232 (Second Place)
3. Jay Perillo
Iris (Goo Goo Dolls) - July 4
Pagsubok (After Image) - July 11
Ngayon at Kailanman (Basil Valdez) - July 18
She's Out of My Life (Michael Jackson) - July 25
Boys Don't Cry (The Cure) - August 1
Do I Make You Proud? (Taylor Hicks) - August 8
Habang May Buhay (After Image) (with Wency Cornejo) - August 222
Kung Ako'y Iiwan Mo (Basil Valdez) (with Basil Valdez) - August 232 (Third Place)
Alone (Heart) (with Gian Magdangal) - August 232 (Third Place)
4. Greggy Santos
Everything (Michael Bublé) - July 4
Kailan (Eraserheads) - July 11
Mandy (Barry Manilow) - July 18
The Girl Is Mine (Michael Jackson) - July 25
Beauty and Madness (Fra Lippo Lippi) - August 1
Best I Ever Had (Vertical Horizon) - August 81 (Eliminated)
5. Bobby Solomon
This Is Me (Demi Lovato feat. Joe Jonas) - July 4
Imagine (John Lennon) - July 11
September (Earth, Wind and Fire) - July 18
Billie Jean (Michael Jackson) - July 251 (Eliminated)
6. PJ Gonzales
Pangako (Kindred Garden) - July 4
Always Be My Baby (Mariah Carey, version of David Cook) - July 11
Nakapagtataka (Rachel Alejandro) - July 181 (Eliminated)
7. Anton Cruz
I Do (Cherish You) (98 Degrees) - July 4
Let The Love Begin (Gino Padilla) - July 11 (Eliminated)
8. Justin Francis
Superstition (Stevie Wonder) - July 4 (Eliminated)
GIRLS
1. Frencheska Farr
Bukas Na Lang Kita Mamahalin (Lani Misalucha) - July 4
Please Don't Stop The Music (Rihanna) - July 11
Bridges (Kevyn Lettau) - July 18
One Day In Your Life (Michael Jackson) - July 25
These Dreams (Heart) - August 1
Candyman (Christina Aguilera) - August 8
Fighter (Christina Aguilera) (performed with Rachelle Ann Go) - August 152
I Finally Found Someone (Barbra Streisand and Bryan Adams) (performed with Joey G. of Side A) - August 232 (Winner)
Because of You (Kelly Clarkson) (performed with Kyla) - August 232 (Winner)
Queen of the Night (Whitney Houston) - August 232 (Winner)
2. Camille Cortez
Tulak Ng Bibig (Julianne Tarroja) - July 4
No Promises (Shayne Ward) - July 11
Play That Funky Music (Wild Cherry) - July 18
Rock With You (Michael Jackson) - July 25
Sweet Child O' Mine (Guns 'n Roses) - August 1
Superstar (The Carpenters) - August 8
(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction (The Rolling Stones) (performed with Jet Pangan) - August 152
Bed of Roses (Bon Jovi) (performed with Renz Verano) - August 232 (Second Place)
Since U Been Gone (Kelly Clarkson) (performed with Julia Clarete) - August 232 (Second Place)
Dirty Diana (Michael Jackson) - August 232 (Second Place)
3. Zyrene Parsad
Kailan (Smokey Mountain) - July 4
Together Again (Janet Jackson) - July 11
Hot Stuff (Donna Summer) - July 18
Black or White (Michael Jackson) - July 25
Dangerous (Roxette) - August 1
Conga (Miami Sound Machine) - August 8
Single Ladies (Beyoncé) (performed with Sexbomb Girls) - August 152
Sino ang Baliw? (Kuh Ledesma) (performed with Kuh Ledesma) - August 232 (Third Place)
If I Were a Boy (Beyoncé) (performed with Maricris Garcia) - August 232 (Third Place)
4. Alexa Ortega
Beautiful Girls (JoJo) - July 4
The Journey (Lea Salonga) - July 11
Hopelessly Devoted To You (Olivia Newton-John) - July 18
I'll Be There (The Jackson 5) - July 25
Material Girl (Madonna) - August 11 (Eliminated)
5. Cara Quiapos
Fever (Joe Cocker) - July 4
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun (Cyndi Lauper) - July 11
Paano (Dulce) - July 18
Bad (Michael Jackson) - July 251 (Eliminated)
6. Christine Allado
Infatuation (Christina Aguilera) - July 4
Narito (Gary Valenciano) - July 11
Ain't No Mountain High Enough (Marvin Gaye) - July 181 (Eliminated)
7. Shane Tarun
Dangerously In Love (Beyoncé Knowles) - July 4
Inside Your Heaven (Carrie Underwood) - July 11 (Eliminated)
8. Rachel Gabreza
Respect (Aretha Franklin) - July 4 (Eliminated)
1 Contenders did not perform because they were eliminated at the beginning of the show. Their elimination songs served as their final performances.
2 Contenders performed with notable Filipino artists.
1 Best Performer and Worst Performer distinctions were only given on the July 4th episode where the girls sat as jury for the boys, while the boys sat as jury for the girls. The distinction has not been given since
2 Christine Allado, Alexa Ortega, PJ Gonzalez and Greggy Santos are automatically part of next week's Bottom Group. Next week's eliminates will come from this group based from judge's vote (50%) and text votes (50%).
3 Geoff Taylor and Greggy Santos were tapped as the Boys' Bottom 2, but were saved by the judges.
