The third season of the Singaporean reality talent show Project SuperStar began on 18 August 2014. It was broadcast on MediaCorp Channel U and simulcast on Toggle Live. The show was hosted by Dasmond Koh, with Jeremy Chan and Shane Pow acting as managers for the contestants. Roy Li and Dawn Yip returned as judges for their third season, and they were joined by Eric Ng who appeared as a judge for the first time. Taiwanese singer Tiger Huang and former judge Lee Wei Song served as the guest judges at the grand final.
On 26 October 2014, Alfred Sim the male category winner who was mentored by Dawn Yip, was declared the overall winner of the season; with female category winner Abigail Yeo, also mentored by Dawn Yip named as the overall runner-up. Justin Chua and Tan Yan Hua, both mentored by Eric Ng, were the runners-up of their respective category. Sim received a cash prize of $15,000 and a one-year management contract with Mediacorp, while Yeo was awarded a cash prize of $10,000, and Chua and Tan $2,500 each.
Judges and hosts The judges were revealed during the round three auditions on 5 July 2014. Billy Koh, Lee Wei Song and Anthony Png, who were the judges for the past two seasons, did not return for their third season. Roy Li and Dawn Yip were the only two judges from the previous seasons to return to the show. They were joined by Eric Ng who was announced as the third and final judge of the season. Despite not returning for his third season, Lee appeared as a guest judge during the grand final, together with Taiwanese singer Tiger Huang.
The season also saw a makeover in the hosting lineup, which was announced on 20 May 2014. Former hosts of the show Quan Yi Fong and Jeff Wang did not return for their third season as well, and were replaced by Dasmond Koh with season two quarter-finalist Jeremy Chan and Shane Pow as the co-hosts.
Development Auditions For the first time in Project Superstar history, the auditions were opened to the public without any restrictions on the age and nationality. For non-Singaporeans or permanent residents, applicants must hold a student pass or work permit that is valid till the end of October 2014, to ensure their stay in Singapore throughout the contest period. Besides removing the age and nationality restrictions from the competition, the show also allowed participants to audition in groups that is made up of not more than five members and the members must be of the same gender. The highlights of the auditions were aired during the premiere of the show on 18 August 2014.
Campus auditions The auditions first started in the campus of three local institutions Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Singapore Polytechnic and Temasek Polytechnic on 6, 7 and 19 May 2014 respectively. Only the students and staff of the respective institution were allowed to apply for the campus auditions. The campus auditions were hosted by radio personalities from Y.E.S. 93.3FM, with Chen Ning, Kenneth Chung and Xie Jiafa hosting at the Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Singapore Polytechnic and Temasek Polytechnic auditions respectively. Auditionees who were successful in the campus auditions advanced to the round two auditions.
Round one auditions The first round of the auditions began on 7 June 2014 and was held at Caldecott Broadcast Centre. More than 6,000 hopefuls turned up for the auditions at the Caldecott Broadcast Centre. Due to overwhelming response, the audition period for this round of the competition was extended till the following day on 8 June 2014. The second day of the round one auditions was not opened to any new applications and was strictly held for the auditionees who were unable to meet the judges on 7 June 2014 due to time constraints. Successful auditionees from round one auditions advanced to the round two auditions.
Round two auditions The second round of the auditions was held on 22 June 2014 at Square 2. 100 contestants each from the male and female category made it to this stage of the competition. From the top 200 contestants who participated in this round of the auditions, the judges narrowed them down to the 80 who progress onto the third and final round of the auditions.
Invitations-only auditions The show also held a special invitations-only auditions for local professional singers who were scouted by the producers of the show. The scouted contestants attended the audition on 24 June 2014 at Caldecott Broadcast Centre. Successful auditionees from this round of the competition advanced to the round three auditions.
Round three auditions The third and final round of auditions was held on 5 July 2014 at UE Convention Centre. Contestants were required to prepare three different songs to perform for the judges at this stage of the competition, with each of the songs either in karaoke, a capella or piano instrumental version. Among the three songs that were prepared by a contestant, the judges would decide which song they would like to hear and the contestant would have to perform the song on the spot. The final 12 contestants who would advance to the live shows were announced at the end of auditions. Similar to The Voice and The X Factor, each of the judges chose two male and two female contestants from the final 12 to form a team of their own, and then the judges will mentor their respective contestants throughout the competition.
+Summary of auditions Audition Date(s) Venue Judges Host(s) Campus 6 May 2014 Ngee Ann Polytechnic Zhu XiaomingLim Shiong ChiangHideaki Koh Chen Ning 7 May 2014 Singapore Polytechnic Hideaki KohJean TohZhu Xiaoming Kenneth Chung 19 May 2014 Temasek Polytechnic Zhu XiaomingTay Lay TinTang Yuxuan Xie Jiafa Round one 7–8 June 2014 Caldecott Broadcast Centre Chan Kim TeckCanter ChiaGoh Djong HoaHon Sher EeHideaki KohKoong Chen LiangAddy LeeSheffie LiangLim Shiong ChiangKelvin SoonPeter TanTang YuxuanTay Lay TinTheresa TengKerlin TeoJean TohWong Eng HongWinnie Wong Jeremy ChanDasmond KohShane Pow Round two 22 June 2014 Square 2 Cavin SohWong Hong MokGoh Djong HoaWu JiamingKen Tay Invite-only 24 June 2014 Caldecott Broadcast Centre Wong Hong MokLee Ee WurnRoy Li Jeremy ChanDasmond Koh Round three 5 July 2014 UE Convention Centre Roy LiDawn YipEric Ng Jeremy ChanDasmond KohShane Pow
Promotions
Auditions Three recruitment teasers and one recruitment trailer were released to promote for the campus and first round auditions. The third and final recruitment teaser featured a cameo appearance by MediaCorp artiste Desmond Tan. In addition, promotional videos featuring season one and season two semi-finalists Candyce Toh and Kelvin Soon, former Fahrenheit member Wu Chun, Y.E.S. 93.3FM radio personalities Chen Ning and Kenneth Chung, Taiwanese singer-actress Phoebe Huang, singer Alex Lam and MediaCorp artiste Desmond Tan were released to provide singing and audition tips to the auditionees.
A print advertisement titled "Make Sweet Dreams Come True" were released in both English and Mandarin version to promote for the recruitment.
Finalists Profile trailers which introduce the final 12 contestants were released prior to the premiere of the show. The profile trailers were presented in individual and category versions. The final 12 contestants also made appearance in various events or meet-and-greet sessions to promote the show. The details are as follows;
+Summary of finalists' promotional events Event Date Venue Host(s) Performance details Top 12 Meet-and-Greet 19 July 2014 Junction 10 Kenneth Chung Contestant Order Song Abigail Yeo 1 "我不是你想像那么勇敢" Benita Cheng 2 "超快感" Amanda Lee 3 "睁一只眼 闭一只眼" Germaine Ng 4 "我爱你" Jo Wu 5 "依然爱你" Tan Yan Hua 6 "终于说出口" Jayden Chew 7 "一千年以后" Bryan Toro 8 "掉了" See Kai Zheng 9 "P.S.我爱你" Justin Chua 10 "想你的夜" Aedan Kang 11 "怎么说我不爱你" Alfred Sim 12 "家乡" I've Got Style 2014 27 July 2014 ION Orchard Nico Chua Contestant Order Song Top 6 Male(except Alfred Sim) 1 "新不了情" Top 6 Female(except Benita Cheng) 2 "解脱" NTU Fest 2014 16 August 2014 The Padang Gerald KohKimberly Wang Contestant Order Song Top 12(except Alfred Sim) 1 "Music让我更精彩" Benita ChengAedan KangGermaine NgBryan ToroAbigail Yeo 2 "为你而活" Jayden ChewJustin ChuaAmanda LeeSee Kai ZhengTan Yan HuaJo Wu 3 "Just Give Me a Reason" Singapore Hit Awards 2014(Nominations Reveal) 5 September 2014 JCube Christina LinXie Jiafa Contestant Order Song Nominated artist Benita Cheng 1 "面具" William Wei Justin Chua 2 "爱爱爱" Khalil Fong Aedan Kang 3 "只看见妳 " Aaron Yan Jayden Chew 4 "兄妹" Eason Chan See Kai Zheng 5 "搞笑" Show Lo Alfred Sim 6 "我的歌声里" Wanting Qu Abigail Yeo 7 "我怀念的" Stefanie Sun Amanda Lee 8 "别找我麻烦" Tanya Chua Germaine Ng 9 "尘埃" Jia Jia Tan Yan Hua 10 "寂寞寂寞就好" Hebe Tien Top 6 Flash Mob 4 October 2014 OutsidePlaza Singapura Contestant Order Song Germaine NgTan Yan Hua 1 "我的歌声里" Justin ChuaAedan Kang 2 "热情的沙漠" Alfred Sim 3 "冰雨" Abigail Yeo 4 "Let It Go" Top 6 5 "OAOA (丢掉名字性别)" Top 4 Autograph Session 18 October 2014 Bedok Point Kenneth Chung Contestant Order Song Alfred Sim 1 N/A Abigail Yeo 2 "我不是你想像那么勇敢" Tan Yan Hua 3 "终于说出口" Justin Chua 4 "我爱你" Joy Truck Picnic Party Dhoby Ghaut Green Ivy TanXie Jiafa Contestant Order Song Alfred Sim 1 N/A Abigail Yeo 2 "我不是你想像那么勇敢" Tan Yan Hua 3 "P.S.我爱你" Justin Chua 4 "我爱你"
Youth Collaboration The Youth Collaboration is an online episodic series that features the finalists of the show, together with four youths who have strong interest in music and performing arts. The series brings the audience through the musical journey of the youths and how it has made a positive influence to their lives. The programme also sees the finalists collaborating with the youths by putting up street performances. The programme, hosted by Chen Ning and Kenneth Chung, is broadcast through Catch-up TV on xinmsn and Toggle Now application.
+Summary of Youth Collaboration episodes Episode Airdate Filming date Venue Featured youth(s)(featured instrument) Featured finalists Host(s) Performance details 1 26 August 2014 3 August 201410 August 2014 OutsideNgee Ann City Shawn Ng(Beatboxing) Aedan KangBryan ToroJo Wu Chen Ning Order Song 1 "中国话" 2 "明明" 2 29 August 2014 3 4 September 2014 16 August 201429 August 2014 Desmond Soo(Erhu) Benita ChengJayden ChewSee Kai Zheng Order Song 1 "专属天使" 2 "如燕" 4 11 September 2014 5 22 September 2014 13 September 201414 September 2014 OutsidePlaza Singapura Hadi(Ukulele) Germaine NgAlfred SimTan Yan Hua Kenneth Chung Order Song 1 "有些男孩不能爱" 2 "泪若雨下" 6 7 28 September 2014 28 August 201414 September 2014 Kaylie Kong(Accordion) Justin ChuaAmanda LeeAbigail Yeo Order Song 1 "坏女孩" 2 "珍惜" 8 14 October 2014 9 23 October 2014 6 September 2014 OutsideION Orchard All All Chen NingKenneth Chung Order Song 1 "中国话" 2 "专属天使"
Finalists Unlike the previous two seasons, the number of finalists that were chosen to advance to the live shows was reduced from the usual 24 (12 per gender) down to 12 (six per gender). In a format similar to The X Factor and The Voice, in addition to splitting the finalists into their respective gender categories, each judge chose two finalists from each category to form a coaching team of their own to mentor them. The two co-hosts of the show also selected three contestants from each category to act as their managers throughout the competition.
Key:
Key: – Winner – Runner-up – Gender/Category runner-up