Two-time VMA-nominated choreographer and creative director Sean Bankhead is joining with Becky G and Joe Jonas to pick the next pop superstar in MTV and Pepsi’s upcoming reality series, Becoming A Popstar.
Produced by Jesse Collins Entertainment and Velocity, Becoming A Popstar is billed as “a first-of-its-kind series that brings together eight up-and-coming artists originally discovered on TikTok giving them the opportunity to showcase their talents to a panel of superstar judges.” The winner will receive their very own Pepsi commercial, which will premiere during the MTV VMAs. Pepsi will also provide resources and funding to the winner to cement their popstar career. Jonas and Becky G will executive produce.
The contestants will be asked to create original songs and music videos for TikTok, with fans voting on their favorite performances until a winner is chosen. According to the official description:
Each week, contestants will create original themed songs and accompanying one-minute music videos on air, that will first be available on TikTok, and will showcase the creative ways artists and fans can authentically express themselves and engage on the platform. Inspired by the innovative features and collaborative nature of the TikTok community, episode themes like ‘The Duets’, where contestants will be paired off to create an original song and visual performance, showcase the influence and impact the platform has had on culture and the music industry at large.
Contestants will be critiqued by the celebrity judges, with eliminations occurring each week until two final artists are chosen to battle it out in a finale special determining who ultimately has what it takes to become a popstar and join the Pepsi music legacy.
After each episode, fans can use the second screen experience to vote by searching #MTVPopstar on TikTok for their favorite artist at a designated voting page. Voting is open after the episode and remains open for 48 hours. The winning artist each week will get a cash prize from Pepsi on top of the grand prize. Winners of the previous week will be announced on MTV‘s TikTok page, as well as more exclusive content and fan opportunities.
The series premieres March 24 at 10/9 c on MTV and will span five episodes each Thursday night.
