Popstars 2015 was the eleventh and final season of the German reality TV series Popstars, in which aspiring female singers aged 16 or older competed for a place in a new band. The show returned to its original broadcaster RTL II, which aired seasons 1 and 2 of the show. With the previous bands lacking success, the production intended to return to the show's roots and focus more on the singing and the search for different types of singers. The show aired on Mondays at 8:15 pm. Due to very low ratings, it was moved to 9:15 pm. However, ratings continued to drop and the show was kicked off the prime-time and moved to a slot airing Saturdays at 6:00 pm.
Changes In this season, the casting phase was skipped; instead, the producers looked for talented girls all over Germany using social media and YouTube. In the end, 27 girls were invited to audition in front of the jury. After each contestant gave a solo singing performance and participated in group choreography, the jury chose 18 girls to enter the POPSTARS Academy.
"POPSTARS Academy"
Instead of the Workshop phase introduced in earlier seasons, the girls entered the POPSTARS Academy. During their 8-week stay at the Academy, the contestants worked on their singing and dancing skills, songs for their future band, performed as groups in front of the judges, faced eliminations, and got ready for their future life as a band.
Contestants (Ages stated are at time of contest)
Name Age Hometown Alena 16 Schwäbisch Gmünd Christin 24 Cottbus Gabriela 27 Vienna, Austria Gina Christin 17 Syke Ina 23 Bad Griesbach Larissa 18 Herzebrock Laura 21 Oberhausen Nadja 23 Rostock Nini 23 Vienna, Austria Patricia 17 Düsseldorf Pauline 16 Mühlhausen Sabrina 23 Berlin Selina 21 Vienna, Austria Sophie 17 Kleinmachnow Terry-Joe 16 Hamburg Timea 20 Tübingen Ulana 22 Berlin Veneranda 19 Hanau Lorena 20 Schweinfurt Ludivine 20 Saarbrücken Maria 25 Bitterfeld Mariam 17 Berlin Ramona 16 Berlin Susanne 20 Vienna, Austria Susanne 19 Hamburg Svenja 22 Landstuhl Virginia 25 Saarbrücken
Judge's Call-out order +Judge's Call-out OrderOrderEpisodes12345678 1 Nadja LauraAlenaSophieGabrielaAlenaSabrinaSabrina 2Virginia GabrielaTerry-JoeSelinaNadjaPatriciaSelinaAlena 3 Gina Christin NiniPaulineTimeaSabrinaSabrinaAlenaTimea 4 Timea LarissaLauraVenerandaSelinaNadjaVenerandaSelina 5 Alena PaulineGabriellaTerry-JoeTerry-JoeSelinaTimeaVeneranda 6RamonaNadjaNadjaSabrinaAlenaGabrielaPatriciaPatricia 7 Gabriela SelinaSabrinaLauraTimeaVenerandaNadja 8Mariam AlenaSelinaAlenaPatriciaTerry-Joe 9 Veneranda VenerandaSophieNadjaVenerandaTimea 10 Sabrina UlanaInaPatriciaInaSophie 11Ludivine SophieUlanaGabrielaSophie 12 Sophie PatriciaVenerandaPauline 13 Larissa SabrinaPatriciaIna 14Susanne InaTimea 15 Terry-Joe TimeaLarissa 16 Ina Terry-Joe 17 Patricia Christin 18 Laura Gina Christin 19Lorena 20 Selina 21 Ulana 22 Christin 23Svenja 24Susanne 25 Pauline 26Maria 27 Nini
The contestant was eliminated The contestant quit the competition The contestant advanced without performing cause of sickness The contestant won the competition
In episode 2, Gina Christin quit the competition, and took no part in judging or call-out. In episode 3, Alena was sick, and took no part in judging or call-out. In episode 4, Ina was sick, and took no part in judging or call-out. The episode ended in a cliffhanger with Ina not learning her verdict until the beginning of the next episode. In episode 7, Nadja quit the competition, and took no part in judging or call-out. Despite that, no one was eliminated.
Episodes
Episode 01: Auditions Aired on 17 August 2015
After an intensive selection process 27 young women compete to kick off the new "Popstars" season and compete for the coveted places in the academy. Some candidates get right away an opportunity to sing for the jury, while others still have time until the next day to prepare. Friendships start to blossom – but the nervousness increases. The next day after the audition Bella Garcia checked the dance talent of the young women. During an intense choreography training some of them stand out, others have little experience in the dance hall and find it difficult. The candidates rehearse the choreography and eventually perform the choreography in groups in front of the jury. Following Stefanie, Miss Platnum and Bella retire for deliberation to decide which 18 girls will enter the Academy and which 9 will be eliminated.
Advanced to next week: Alena, Christin, Gabriela, Gina Christin, Ina, Larissa, Laura, Nadja, Nini, Patricia, Pauline, Sabrina, Selina, Sophie, Terry -Jo, Timea, Ulana and Veneranda.
Eliminated: Maria, Virginia, Svenja, Susi, Susanne, Ramona, Mariam, Ludivine and Lorena
Episode 02: Interpretation Aired on 24 August 2015
The Academy life begins: Following a timetable train the remaining girls in their group songs, share the verses on each other and practice the choreography for her appearance in the first decision show. Candidates learn their new coaches know: vocal coach are Jini Meyer, singer of the band Luxuslärm, and a native of New York Pamela Falcon. Bella Garcia gets support from dance coach Pepita Maria Bauhardt from Berlin.
In a rehearsal room set, the participants meet Miss Platnum and Stefanie Heinzmann. The two jurors jam with the girls, interpret them together with different songs and learn as the voices of the girls know. The two professional singers give valuable advice to each of the young musicians. In a jury hour the girls share in small rounds with Stefanie Heinzmann and speak for the first time about their concerns and desires. Miss Platnum in turn supports the girls in the Vocal Sessions and works closely with the various groups.
At the end of the second episode, the first decision show is on. Just before the show one of the candidates leaves voluntarily. Will she support her band members on the stage or have the remaining girls to divide the song again and shortly develop a different performance? Who needs to leave the Academy at this early stage again.
Songs performed this week
Cro – Traum, performed by Nadja, Larissa and Pauline
OutKast – Hey Ya!, performed Veneranda, Ulana and Sophie
Calvin Harris feat. Ellie Goulding – Outside, performed by Gabriella, Laura and Nini
Rihanna – Stay, performed by Ina, Sabrina and Patricia
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis – Can't Hold Us, performed by Timea, Terry-Joe and Christin
Swedish House Mafia – Don't You Worry Child, performed by Selina and Alena
Advanced to next week: Gabriella, Laura, Sabrina, Ina, Patricia, Selina, Alena, Timea, Terry-Jo, Larissa, Pauline, Nadja, Veneranda, Ulana and Sophie.
Left voluntary: Gina-Christin
Eliminated: Nini and Christin
Episode 03: Sarah Connor Playlist Aired on 31 August 2015
Guest Star/Coach: Sarah Connor
A big surprise for the candidates: none other than pop star Sarah Connor welcomed the girls via Skype and announced to them the weekly task: They will perform some pieces from her new album "Muttersprache". Then the girls work out the songs and learn the choreography with the support of a juror Bella Garcia and Coach Pepita Maria Bauhardt. The absolute highlight for the candidates is a personal vocal coaching session with Sarah Connor. Sarah Connor is extremely pleased by a group and said: "You are for me the band"
In addition, the girls now attend a daily endurance training with Bella Garcia and have the opportunity to interact in a jury-appointment with Miss Platnum. Overall it is a very emotive week. Even in dance training with Pepita flow a lot of tears and for another emotional moment also ensures juror Stefanie Heinzmann: She hands the girl letters of their relatives and friends. After that there's no holding back ...
At the end of the third episode the girls enter another decision Show. performs with her band at the beginning of the title "Kommst Du Mit Mir" from her hit album "Muttersprache". Thereafter, the candidates will present their songs in front of the jury. Stefanie Heinzmann is in this case, represented by Jini Meyer, singer of the band Luxuslärm. May this time all candidates remain at the Academy? Or will a couple of them leave the academy?
Songs performed this week Kommst du mit Ihr – performed by Sarah Connor, guest star performance Wie schön du bist – performed by Nadja, Selina, Sabrina and Gabriella Anorak – performed by Timea, Patricia, Veneranda and Larissa Heaven – performed by Ulana, Ina and Sophie Something's Got a Hold on Me – Christina Aguilera version – performed by Laura, Terry-Joe and Pauline Money on My Mind – performed by Nadja, Selina, Sabrina and Gabriella Keine ist wie du – performed by Ulana, Ina and Sophie Skin on Skin – performed by Timea, Patricia, Veneranda and Larissa Bedingungslos – performed by Laura, Terry-Joe and Pauline
Advanced to next week: Patricia, Timea, Veneranda, Pauline, Laura, Terry-Joe, Sabrina, Selina, Nadja, Gabriella, Ina and Sophie
Advanced to next week without performing cause of sickness: Alena
Eliminated: Ulana and Larissa
Episode 04: Girlband vs Boyband Aired on 7 September 2015
The motto of the fourth episode: Girlband vs. Boyband. In addition, for the first time the decision show takes place in front of live audience and the girls learn about healthy eating and improve their English skills.
Again during week 4 pretty much is demanded from the Contestants: They need to learn sophisticated choreography for Girl- and boyband songs and in addition to the normal endurance training with Bella and Pepita an extra training is with the Flying Steps is scheduled. In addition, the girls visit TV chef Ole Plogstedt. There they learn about healthy eating and, above all need what foods artist on strenuous tours to stay fit. Together with Ole Plogstedt prepare the girls to four different healthy dishes.
The girls also work on their English skills. Together with an English teacher Nick Karry they go through their lyrics, work on their pronunciation and learn to master English tongue twisters.
Several of the candidates begin to sicken and a girl even falls completely out of the decision show. What to do?
At the end of this episode, the contestants perform the first time in front of the live audiences. Many family members and friends have come to support their loved ones. Before and after the show tearful reunions happen. As opening act of the decision show the Flying Steps come with their piece "Flying Bach" and show all their dancing skills. Divided into four groups performing the girls their Girl- and boyband songs. Who can convince the strict jury and who needs to turn their backs on the Academy?
Songs performed this week Buttons, performed by Veneranda, Laura, Terry-Joe and Sabrina Overload, performed by Patricia, Alena and Nadja Pray to God, performed by Gabriella, Pauline and Nadja I Want You Back, performed by Timea, Sophie and Selina One Sweet Day, performed by Sabrina, Terry-Joe, Laura and Veneranda Everybody (Backstreet's Back), performed by Gabriella, Pauline and Sabrina No Scrubs, performed by Timea, Selina and Sophie King, performed by Patricia, Alena and Nadja
Advanced to next week: Patricia, Timea, Veneranda, Alena, Sabrina, Selina, Nadja, Sophie, Terry-Joe and Gabriella,
Decision not announced, the Contestant didn't perform cause of sickness: Ina
Eliminated: Laura and Pauline
Episode 05: Deutsche Songs Aired on 14 September 2015
Guest Star/Coaches: Glasperlenspiel
In the fifth episode of "Popstars" everything revolves around the theme of "German songs" and as a reward three girls may accompany Stefanie Heinzmann to a gig in Switzerland. As guest stars this "Glasperlenspiel" come to the Popstars-Academy.