Deutschland sucht den Superstar (season 5)

"Die Top 15 – Jetzt oder nie" (The Top 15 - Now or Never) (Contestants not in order)

Original Airdate: March 8, 2008

Advancing to Top 10 (Public votes): Monika, Linda, Fady, Sahra, Thomas

Advancing to Top 10 (Jury selection): Jermaine, Rania, Stella, Collins, Benjamin

Contestants

Rania Zeriri, born on January 6, 1986, in Enschede, is of Algerian-Dutch ethnicity. Zeriri was born with holes in her vocal cords. In spite of this vocal handicap she reached a high position.

Benjamin Herd was born in Worms and is the youngest male contestant of this season. He was early disputed, due to both his extravagant behavior and his enduring back-talking disrespect especially to the jury, which eventually led to his voluntary leaving. Jury member Dieter Bohlen then talked Herd back into the competition, where he was finally voted off by the audience on April 19, 2008, just reaching the 6th show.

Thomas Godoj was the winner of the fifth season. He was born in southern Poland, but raised in Recklinghausen.

Fady Maalouf was runner-up of the season. He was born in Zahlé, Lebanon. His song in the finals entitled "Blessed" went straight to number 2 in the German charts upon release, followed by Blessed that also charted at number 2 in the German albums chart.

"Top 10 - Aktuelle Hits" (Greatest Current Hits)

Original Airdate: March 15, 2008ds

Bottom 5: Linda, Fady, Jermaine, Collins, Benjamin

Jury Elimination Forecast: Jermaine, Collins

Jury Best Performance Forecast: Monika or Sahra or Thomas (All)

Eliminated: Jermaine

"Top 9 - Die grössten Filmhits" (Film Hits)

Original Airdate: March 22, 2008

Bottom 5: Linda, Collins, Benjamin, Rania, Sahra

Jury Elimination Forecast: Benjamin, Collins (Dieter), Collins, Rania (Anja), Benjamin (Bär)

Jury Best Performance Forecast: Fady (Dieter, Anja), Monika, Fady (Bär)

Eliminated: Sahra

"Top 8 - Mariah Carey / Take That Songs"

Original Airdate: April 5, 2008

Bottom 4: Monika, Benjamin, Rania, Stella

Jury Elimination Forecast: Benjamin (All)

Jury Best Performance Forecast: Thomas (All)

Eliminated: Stella

Guest star, Mariah Carey performed her new hit single "Touch My Body" and worked with the contestants backstage. This is the first time that the host spoke English and had an English interview live on the show. As well, casting contestant Mario Teusch sang "Supermario", a techno song of his experience at his audition with the jury.

"Top 7 - Greatest Hits"

Original Airdate: April 12, 2008

Bottom 4: Collins, Rania, Benjamin, Thomas

Jury Elimination Forecast: Rania (Dieter), Benjamin or Rania (Anja and Bär)

Jury Best Performance Forecast: Fady or Linda

Eliminated: Collins

"Top 6 - Judges' Choice"

Original Airdate: April 19, 2008

Bottom 3: Rania, Benjamin, Monika

Jury Elimination Forecast: Benjamin or Rania (All)

Jury Best Performance Forecast: Linda or Thomas (All)

Eliminated: Benjamin

Top 5: Party Music and Ballads

Original Airdate: April 26, 2008

Bottom 3: Rania, Thomas, Monika

Jury Elimination Forecast: Rania or Monika (Dieter), Rania (Anja and Bär)

Jury Best Performance Forecast: Didn't say (All)

Eliminated: Rania

Top 4: Germany Against England (Hits in Germany and England)

Original Airdate: May 3, 2008

Bottom: all candidates were in the Bottom Group

Jury Elimination Forecast: Monika (All)

Jury Best Performance Forecast: Didn't say (All)

Eliminated: Monika

Top 3: Number 1 Hits/ The Beatles/ Dedications

Original Airdate: May 10, 2008

Jury Elimination Forecast: Linda (Anja, Dieter), Fady (Bär)

Jury Best Performance Forecast: Thomas or Fady (Anja, Dieter), Thomas or Linda (Bär)

Eliminated: Linda

Top 2: Finale (Singer's choice, Highlight song & Winner's Single)

Original Airdate: May 17, 2008