First came "Pop Idol" in Britain; then the idea crossed the pond and morphed into "American Idol"; now comes "GIFTED," the Christian music version.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Orange County (Calif.) Register reports that instead of Simon Cowell's trademark nastiness, producer Paul Anderson tells contestants they're singing for an audience of one -- God.
Some 12,000 people auditioned for the contest, which was organized through churches. By Monday, there were just 23 competing in this week's super-regionals, which will reduce the field to just eight for the finals in Hollywood in May.
The winner will be signed by a major Christian recording label and win a gig as the opening act for former Backstreet Boy Brian Littrell, who is one of the celebrity judges.