Star Search (Chinese: 才华横溢出新秀; pinyin: Cai Hua Heng Yi Chu Xing Xiu) is a television show organised by Mediacorp to scout for Chinese language-speaking acting talent. The first season premiered in 1988 and has produced 12 installments since. The most recent twelfth season premiered in 2024.
History
Star Search started out as a Singapore local talent show, initially restricted to residents of Singapore. After the Singapore Broadcasting Corporation discontinued its drama training courses in the early 1990s, Star Search became one of Channel 8's main sources to scout for talent, which was met with several successes where many "alumni" have embarked their career with Mediacorp after the competition, whereas certain contestants deemed better may also be awarded a contract after competition ended. In 1999, the show expanded to include regions such as Malaysia, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Guangzhou (China), then via China and across Asia towards the 2000s millennium. From 1999 to 2003, the show took the format of a knockout competition where the male and female champions and first runners-up from each country will go to Singapore compete for the overall champion prize in their respective genders; however, when the show returned for a ninth season in 2007, the champions per gender and its international tournament format was abolished, reverting back to the traditional format while retaining international contestants till this day.
Each season of the shows had a period of hiatus of at least two years, and up to nine years between the tenth and the eleventh season.[1] The upcoming twelfth season will premiere in 2024 after five years.[2][3]
While there is no official theme music released from the first three seasons, its titular theme, "飞高梦远" was introduced starting from the fourth season in 1995, and was still used to the day. The title is composed by Iskandar Ismail and lyrics provided by veteran Chen Jiaming.[4]
Format
Auditions typically take place several months beforehand. The chosen contestants are sent for training and begin rehearsing. Finalists are usually mentored by veteran Mediacorp artists. There are different segments to test the contestant in several areas, as scores are weighed and factor towards it to determine the result. Examples such as acting out on a skit featuring certain artists; while it is scripted, the artists may improvise to test the contestant's ability to do so; a Q&A segment where contestants are tested on their oratorical skills through a randomly chosen question; a performance segment whereas contestants performed a special item (such as a drama skit) and judged based on their charisma, confidence and ability to perform under pressure; and appearance such as First impression, fashion and talent performances besides acting. Between 1999 and 2003, televoting are also applied whereas contestants are also tested on popularity as well; televoting reappeared in 2007 but only through a fan-based award, and did not return in 2010 since.
Between seasons four and eight, in corporation with international contestant's participating since then, eliminations applied based on gender and that one winner from each gender will be decided. However, beginning on the ninth season, the gender-based category format was scrapped and that any contestants regardless of gender can win and become the final three for the season.
Depending on season, each winner (and up to third place) would be awarded a full-time contract with Mediacorp besides other prizes (such as contingent and character awards), though other finalists deemed suitable enough are often given contracts as well.
