Lashardian Idol (season one)

**The first season** of the Lashardian version of the music competition show *Idol*, *Lashardian Idol*, began airing on Pop TV on 11 January 2016. Its finale aired on 30 May 2016.

The competition consists of auditions, in front of a small selection committee, in front of producers, and then the judges; Ubenmoor week; live semi-finals; and then the live finals. Auditions for the show began in late summer 2015 and concluded in late autumn 2015. The show was hosted by Lashardian fraternal twin comedy duo Nikola & Nikolas, while the judging panel consisted of Sox, Era, Mikael Borisölebers, and Martina Aleksöpseft

## Judges and host

At the time of announcing the Lashardian of *Idol*, Sox, Era, Mikael Borisölebers, and Martina Aleksöpseft were already confirmed to be judging the show. However, the host was unknown and it was originally announced that the show would have only a single host. Nikola & Nikolas were later confirmed to be hosting.

## Selection process

The first set of auditions took place on 13 August 2015 in each city. Producer auditions took place on 12 September 2015 in Ubenmoor, 17 September 2015 in Kesa, 20 September 2015 in Basya, 27 September 2015 in Vershando, and 30 September 2015 in Beck.

The last set of auditions took place during October and November 2015. These auditions individually occurred in front of the judges. Each city had an average of 2,000 first round auditioners, 300 second round auditioners, and 60 final round auditioners. About 25 singers made it to Ubenmoor at each city.

### Auditions

Summary of judges' auditions
 Kesa | 21–22 October 2015
 Beck | 27 October 2015
 Vershando | 30 October 2015
 Basya | 2 November 2015

### Ubenmoor week

In the first round of Ubenmoor week, the 111 singers were placed into thirteen groups of eight and one group of seven. Each group performed in front of the judges while the other singers watched in the audience. Each group member sang a one minute excerpt of any song of their choosing a cappella. After the final member of each group performed, the judges could eliminate any one of the acts, eliminating the whole group, no one in the group, or certain members.

In the second round, the remaining singers formed their own small groups to perform a group number of any song from a ten-song shortlist. After performing for the judges, the judges can choose which acts from each group, if any, advance to the final round before the semi-finals.

In the third round, the remaining acts performed a song accompanied by a band for the judges. Instead of being eliminated on the spot like in the previous two rounds, the judges deliberated independently after all the artists performed. In the results reveal, the artists were put into two waiting rooms separated by gender, one-by-one each artist would walk into a room where the judges were seated, where they'd be told if they were eliminated or a semi-finalist. When the final two artists were left they would be brought in the room together, where one would be eliminated and one would move on. This was later repeated with the other gender until getting the 24 semi-finalists.

### Semi-finals

The semi-finals lasted four weeks. The 24 contestants performed in three groups of eight and sang songs that were Billboard Hot 100 hits. In each group, three people advanced to the next round, based on votes by the viewers. The highest-scoring boy and highest-scoring girl advanced to the finals from each group. Following those six singers advancing, two boys and two girls from each group were selected by the judges to compete in the Wildcard round. Following another performance by each Wildcard contender, the judges selected six contestants (three boys and three girls) to advance to the final group of 12.

### Finals

After getting the top twelve acts, each act performs one song on the first show of the week while one act is eliminated on the second show. This continues until there is the top eight, where two acts are eliminated in the second night. Following the double elimination, each act performs two songs and later the top three performs three songs. Each week has a theme or themes that the songs performed must adhere to, while the finals are held on the Lashardian Idol Main Stage.

## Finalists

**Josh Didrikökill** (born 14 January 1990) is from Klicki and auditioned in Beck. Prior to auditioning for the show, Didrikökill worked as a preschool teacher in his hometown. His music is categorized as hard rock. Didrikökill was announced as the winner on 30 May. His winner's single "Far Away" was released in summer 2016, and reached the top twenty of the Lashardian singles chart. Being the winner, he was signed to Cyclops Records and his debut album will be released in December 2016.

**Madelina** (born 26 February 1995 as **Madelina Devinöhammar**) is from Basya and auditioned in Basya. Prior to auditioning, Madelina was a university student at the University of Western Lashardia and a part-time singing waitress. Her music is categorized as alternative pop. Madelina was announced as the runner-up on 30 May. Following the show's closure, she was signed to Cyclops Records as well, and her debut single "Say My Name" became a top ten hit after being released in summer 2016. Her debut studio album will be released in winter 2016.

**Asha Erikönick** (born 18 June 1994) is from Vershando and auditioned in Vershando. Her father is Lashardian while her mother is from Pesa. Prior to auditioning, Erikönick was a street musician. Her music is categorized as a mix between R&B, soul, and Lashpop. She placed third. Following the show, Erikönick has went on to release music independently.

**Tina Foksöyolan** (born 22 December 1999) is from Ubenmooor and auditioned in Ubenmoor. She is a high school student at a performing arts high school in Jorden and is categorized as a Lashpop musician. She placed fourth. Foksöyolan has not released music since the show's ending.

**Erik Jenövick** (born 15 May 1989) is from Jackael and auditioned in Beck. Prior to auditioning, Jenövick was a management consultant. His music is categorized as pop-folk. He placed fifth. Jenövich has not music since the show's ending.

**Laila Samöflent** (born 16 August 1996) is from Dusha and auditioned in Ubenmoor. Prior to auditioning, Samöflent worked as a personal assistant to Olia Janisöpfleg. Her music is categorized as alternative pop. She placed sixth. Following the show, Samöflent was signed to Akai Music Group but has not yet released any music.

**Jasmina Karlörod** (born 24 October 1994) is from Van Hidewind and auditioned in Ubenmoor. Prior to auditioning, Karlörod was a professional musician. Her music is categorized as hip hop-influenced Lashpop. She was heavily ridiculed during her time on the show, and eventually placed joint seventh/eighth. Karlörod has not released music since the show's ending.

**Kevin Denarchi** (born 11 July 1990) is originally from Santa Anastasia, Pesa but was raised in Ubenmoor and auditioned in Ubenmoor. Prior to auditioning, Denarchi worked as a choreographer. His music is categorized as hip hop. He placed joint seventh/eighth. Denarchi has released music independently following the show's ending.

**Yola Denisöjarett** (born 22 September 1988) is from Ubenmoor and auditioned in Ubenmoor. Prior to auditioning, Denisöjarett was a private vocal coach. Her music is categorized as soul. Denisöjarett was considered a huge favorite to win the competition, and her elimination was considered very shocking. She placed ninth. Following the show, she signed with Cyclops Records and released the song "Mother" which achieved little success.

**Olsen Olafökitzel** (born 23 March 1990) is from Boras and auditioned in Ubenmoor. Prior to auditioning, he performed singing telegrams. His music is categorized as folk. He placed tenth. Following the show, he has released music independently.

**Żak Argöförman** (born 27 December 1989) is from Beck and auditioned in Beck. Prior to auditioning, he was the lead singer of a Beck-based punk band who were signed to an independent label. His music is categorized as electronic rock. He placed eleventh. Following the show, he formed a new band and has performed with them.

**Tim Monösum** (born 16 September 1992) is from Kesa and auditioned in Kesa. Prior to auditioning, he worked with special needs children. His music is categorized as pop rock. He placed twelfth. Monösum has not released music since the show's ending.