Campus SuperStar

History

Campus SuperStar is a spin-off that was created based on another Singaporean reality television singing competition Project SuperStar, which was in turn inspired by British show Pop Idol. Using the idea from Pop Idol and Project SuperStar, the competition aims to uncover singing talents from full-time students studying in local secondary schools, junior colleges and institutes of technical education. The show debuted in January 2006, about four months after the finale of Project SuperStar season one. It was a big success with the viewing public, especially among the youths and students in Singapore.

Following the success of season one, the show returned about one year later after live final of season one in May 2007 for the second season. The show also returned about one and a half years later after the live final of season two in January 2008 for the third season. Both seasons achieved moderate success and reception from the viewing public.

In 2009, after the live final was held for season three of Campus SuperStar, it was reported by Singapore-based Chinese language newspaper Lianhe Zaobao that MediaCorp Channel U will cease broadcasting of reality television singing competitions, including Campus SuperStar and Project SuperStar, which was slated for a third installment in 2010, but was axed last minute by MediaCorp.

Though the report was made, Campus SuperStar returned to MediaCorp Channel U exactly after four years of hiatus in January 2013 for the fourth season.

Judges

The original judging panel was Foong Wai See, Li Feihui, Cavin Soh and Peter Tan. Foong Wai See, Cavin Soh and Peter Tan left the judging panel after judging one season. They were replaced by two new judges, namely Jim Lim and Jimmy Ye, who joined Li Feihui in season two. Jimmy Ye stayed for just one season and left the show before season 3. Singaporean lyricist Xiaohan and singer Ken Tay joined the judging panel in season three. Li Feihui and Ken Tay did not return as a judge in season four and they were replaced by Dennis Chew.

Guest judges may occasionally be introduced, especially in the live finals when the judging panel lineup was increased. Music producer and composer Lee Wei Song was employed as a guest judge for all seasons in the live final. Other guest judges that were instated during the live finals are Lee Shih Shiong in season one, Billy Koh in season two, Kelvin Tan, Maggie Theng and Wu Jia Ming in season three, and Li Feihui Eric Moo in season four. Guest judges were also used in the revival rounds for season three, Dawn Yip joined the judging panel in the first revival round, while Cavin Soh and Maggie Theng joined the second.

Hosts

Season 1 of the show was hosted by Dasmond Koh, Hong Junyang and Sugianto. Hong Junyang and Sugianto left the show after season one and they were replaced by Pornsak for season 2. Dasmond Koh and Fiona Xie did not return to host season 3 and were replaced by Felicia Chin and Lee Teng. Yuan Shuai was employed as the online correspondent in season 3. Lee Teng and Pornsak returned in season 4 to host the show while Felicia Chin and Yuan Shuai did not return.

Guest hosts may occasionally be introduced, especially in the live finals when the number of hosts was increased. Ng Hui and Ben Yeo were instated as the guest hosts during the live final in season one. Fiona Xie hosted the auditions episode in season two. Fiona Xie also hosted the season two live final, and was joined by Ben Yeo, Lee Teng and Charlyn Lim. Ben Yeo returned as a guest host for the live final in season four.

     Current
     Former

Categories

For season 1 to 2 the competition was split into two categories: male and female. In season 3 to 4, the categories were removed and finalists were selected without the consideration of the gender.

Stages

There are four/five stages to the competition:

Auditions

In season 1 to 2, a round of first auditions is held in front of a panel of judges in the public with a live audience. Shortlisted auditionees from the first auditions would be invited to attend the second round of closed-door auditions held in Mediacorp. Successful auditionees from the second round of auditions were put through to the final round of auditions with live audience. At the end of the final round of auditions, the judges would select ten contestants each from the male and female category and put them through to the live shows. In season 3 to 4, the public auditions were removed and only closed-door auditions were held. In addition, the categories were removed and the number of contestants that were put through to the live shows were reduced to twelve. In addition, auditionees have to submit a video of them performing a song and only selected applicants would be invited to the closed-door auditions.

Live shows

The finals consist of a series of two live shows, the first featuring the contestants' performances with the revealing of the judges' score and the second revealing the results of the public voting, culminating in one or more acts being eliminated. Celebrity guest performers also feature regularly. These live shows are filmed at MediaCorp TV Theatre. Both live shows were broadcast on Monday nights, with the exception of the grand finale live shows on Sunday.

Performances

The performances from the contestants were judged based on their singing technique, body language, and overall presentation. Most of the live shows has had a different theme; each contestant's song is chosen according to the theme. A celebrity guest connected to the theme is occasionally invited onto the show. After each contestant has performed, the judges comment on their performance and give them a score out of 10. Phone and SMS lines for public voting open at the start of the show and the viewing public vote on which contestant they want to keep in the competition. Both the judges' score and public votes determine the result for the week of the live show. For season 1 and season 2 quarter-finals, judges' score and public votes constituted 30% and 70% of the overall combined result respectively. For season 2 semi-finals and season 3 (except for final), judges' score and public votes constituted 70% and 30% of the overall combined result respectively. For season 3 final, judges' score and public votes both constituted 50% overall combined result. This percentage allocation was reversed for season 2, but was reverted to the original ratios starting from the semi-final rounds. Once the number of contestants has been reduced to four contestants, these contestants go on to appear in the grand final which decides the overall winner.

In season 4, it is a must for contestants to perform songs originally created or sung by Singaporeans throughout the whole competition.

Results

Before the results are announced, there are live or pre-recorded performances from one or more invited celebrities, occasionally with performers connected to the week's theme. In season 1 to 2, one contestant each from the male and female category was eliminated from the competition after receiving the lowest overall combined result. In season 3, the format of elimination is similar to season 1 and 2. However, the last few weeks of the competition featured a "sudden death" elimination whereby the contestant who received the lowest judges' score was eliminated from the competition immediately without facing the public vote.

Twists

After Campus SuperStar

The winner of Campus SuperStar is awarded a two-year management contract with MediaCorp and a cash prize ($2,000 for season 1 to 3, and $5000 for season 4). Season 4 winner also receives an opportunity to perform with Mandopop singer Della Ding Dang in Glass Anatomy the Musical. Other contestants may also be offered artiste contract with MediaCorp, but this is not guaranteed.

Series overview

To date, four seasons have been broadcast, as summarised below.

     Contestant in (or school represented by a contestant in) male category or contestant is (or school represented by) a male
     Contestant in (or school represented by a contestant in) female category or contestant is (or school represented by) a female

List of finalists

As of March 2013, there have been four completed seasons. During every season, the final round of competition features twenty singers for season one and two or twelve singers for season three and four. A total of 64 contestants have reached the finals of their season.

During the first two seasons, the finalists were split into two categories: male and female. For season three to four, the groupings were scrapped and the finalists were selected without taking into consideration of the gender. As of season four, three out of four winners were male contestants, while the other was a female contestant.