'Rising Star' advances six artists and cuts four acts in premiere

Rising Star advanced six talented hopefuls and cut four acts during Sunday night's premiere episode on ABC.


Rising Star's debut featured host Josh Groban explaining "The Wall" represents America's vote. Viewers were asked to check-in to the Rising Star phone application in order to vote "yes" or "no" to whether they'd like to see the wall rise once a contestant is performing behind it onstage.

If the voting meter reached 70% or above, the wall would rise and the contestant could perform the rest of his or her song for the live audience -- ultimately moving one step closer to landing a record contract with Capital Records.

If a singer failed to hit the 70% mark based on America's response, he or she would be out of the competition instantly. Each contestant got to sing one song and therefore only had one chance.

Sharing their advice on the judges' panel was Brad Paisley, Kesha and Ludacris. Each judge could vote to advance any artist, which would add an impactful 7% to the performer's voting meter.


Maneepat Molloy, a 16-year-old from Los Angeles, CA, performed "Con Te Partiro" and made it through with a 73% vote.

Lisa Punch, a 21-year-old from Brooklyn, NY, sang "How Will I Know" and advanced with a score of 80%.

Joshua Peavy, a 28-year-old from Soperton, GA, took the stage with "(Everything I do) I Do It For You." The wall rose for Joshua and he ended up with a total of 87% on his response meter.

Sarah Darling, a 31-year-old from Nashville, TN, sang "Merry Go 'Round" and made it through with an 89% vote.

Jesse Kinch, a 20-year-old from Seaford, NY, performed "I Put a Spell on You" and advanced with a score of 92%.


In a twist, Josh Groban selected and surprised a member of the audience, who was one of 600 people to send in an audition video via Instagram, and that person was Macy Kate. She was the first of a handful of Instagram contestants who will perform this season.

Macy Kate, a 17-year-old from St. Petersburg, FL, received the best response of the night. America's vote landed her a 93% on the voting meter after she took the stage with "Me and My Broken Heart."

Four acts -- which featured a duo and one group -- failed to advance to the next stage of the competition.

Daniel & Olivia, a 24 and 25-year-old from San Gabriel Valley, CA, sang "Counting Stars" and only hit 6% on the meter.

Beyond 5, a boy band ages 16-19, from Nashville, TN, performed "Wake Me Up" and only hit 46% on the meter.


Colin Huntley, a 16-year-old from Houston, TX, took the stage with "Sing" and only reached 38% on the voting meter. 

Summer Collins, an 18-year-old from Fayetteville, NC, sang "Classic." She failed to hit the mark with a score of 40%.






About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski