Eesto tahab superstaari!

**Original release** | 3 September 2005 – present

***Eesto tahab superstaari!*** (English: *Estland Is Searching for a Superstar!*) is an Estian music competition series created by Eesti Televisioon (ET). The series was first broadcast in 2005, designed to serve as a companion series to *Kes on meie järgmine täht?* tailored to aspiring singers over age 18.

*Eesto tahab superstaari!* is a music competition for aspiring singers in Estland, aged between 18 and 29. After a nationwide search for ten semifinalists, the contestants compete week-by-week for the votes of the Estian public, until one contestant is declared the winner at the end of the season.

Since its initial broadcast in 2005, *Eesto tahab superstaari!* has become renown for fostering musical talent in Estland and launching the careers of numerous successful Estian musicians. It is one of the most-watched entertainment programs in Estland, and remains an important institution in the Estian cultural lexicon.

## Format

Since 2005, the format of *Eesto tahab superstaari!* has generally stayed the same. Each season begins with the judging panel traveling Estland to conduct in-person auditions with interested singers. After each audition, they decide whether the auditioner can advance to the program through a majority vote. After the auditions are completed, the successful singers advance to bootcamp, where the judges are tasked with narrowing down all the singers into ten semifinalists – five men and five women.

After the judges determine the ten semifinalists, all ten advance to the live shows. Each week, the contestants are instructed to perform a song during the weekly live show. Each week follows a different theme, and the songs selected must match the theme. Themes may revolve around topics such as genres, styles, original artists, or anything else. After the performances are complete, the public votes to save their favorite performer, and the performer with the least amount of votes is eliminated. This continues until only three remain, and the public votes for the winner of the competition. The winner is awarded with a recording contract.

## Rules and eligibility

There are several rules regarding eligibility in order to be considered for the show.

* Contestants must be at least 18 years of age and no older than 29 years of age when filming commences.
* Contestants must hold Estian citizenship or be permanent residents of Estland.
* Contestants must be able to communicate in the Estian language.
* Contestants must never have been signed to a professional recording contract as a solo artist.
* Contestants must never have released music that charted in Estland or abroad.
* Contestants must never have written music that charted in Estland or abroad.

## Hosts and judges

### Hosts

Estian television presenter Irmo Taugela was selected as the first host for the competition, beginning in 2005. Taugela continued to serve as the show's host until 2016, when he departed to pursue other ventures. The following year, Ann Pill and Ragnar Soosaar were hired as cohosts. They remained a hosting duo for the following season as well, before Soosaar departed. Pill has since continued to host the show alone.

### Judges

The first season introduced a panel of three judges consisting of Estian music producer and songwriter Indrek Aalves, Estian singer Kataliin Puisko, and Estian record executive Martin Puusaak. The trio remained together until 2009, when Puisko departed from the show and was replaced by Estian singer Kristi Keskküla in 2010. Aalves later left the series in 2012 and was replaced by Estian singer and songwriter Võitu Kokk, who later departed in 2014. Estian singer and songwriter Robin Kallas then joined the panel, and Keskküla departed from the show in 2018. Afterwards, Estian singer and songwriter Liis Oja joined the series.