'The Best of the Best': NTV Launches 'Superstar! Battle of the Seasons'

On January 31 at 9:20 PM, NTV will premiere the new season of the music show «Superstar!» – «Superstar! Battle of the Seasons». We tell you about the rules of the new competition, its participants, and what they have prepared for viewers.

Everything by the Rules

Over the years of the «Superstar!» project, 48 artists have taken the stage, seven of them became winners. The new season will be a kind of rematch. Viewers can expect creative experiments and unexpected duets from artists who have previously participated in the show, became its winners, or reached the final episodes. Each episode will be dedicated to a separate theme: participants will perform their most famous hits and favorite songs in their own interpretation. By the way, one of the competition days will be entirely devoted to the work of Philip Kirkorov.

As before, the jury will assign scores with symbols: «fire» will bring two points, «fireworks» – one, «fizzle» – zero. If an artist is in last place on the tournament table for two consecutive episodes, they will leave the show. However, the jury can once per season save a contestant by unanimous decision.

If the judges cannot reach agreement, the participant can be supported by the audience in the studio: to continue participation, at least 70% of the votes are required. The season winner will be the artist who accumulates the most points over all episodes. In the final, each performer will present the television premiere of their new song.

Return of the Legends

Ten artists will participate in the show – their return to the screens will delight many fans. Those who watched «Superstar!» from the first season likely remember the epic confrontation between Irina Shvedova and Vlad Stashevsky. Now they will take the stage again – as the singer says, «not for awards, but for their audience.» According to Irina, she had to work with new material, and the image turned out to be unusual – but the excitement from participation was even stronger. Vlad Stashevsky also greatly enjoyed being part of the creative process and is ready to surprise viewers with surprise performances. What kind – that«s still a secret.

Participants from the second season are Shura and Viktor Saltikov – they scored an equal number of points then and both became winners. The opportunity to work on the same stage in one project again very pleased the artists.

— I have such nostalgia – I missed working with the show«s team so much, it became like family to me! I want to take my image and performance style very seriously, seriously in the literal sense of the word, — says Shura.

And Saltikov is inspired by the unique opportunity to try himself in different genres.

— Expect unexpected musical interpretations and collaborations with other artists! — he intrigued.

Olga Zarubina and Zhan Milimerov from the third season of «Superstar!» are grateful to the show«s producers for the chance at a rematch and competition with the best of the best.

— I want my performances to give viewers goosebumps, tingles, and all that jazz, — laughs Olga Zarubina. — And Zhan is ready to surprise viewers with the coolest songs, most beautiful numbers, and his energy.

The most unexpected lineup, perhaps, comes from the fourth season: this includes winner Alexey Glyzin and the soloist of the group «Litsyey» (Lyceum) Anastasia Makarevich, who left the show in the semifinals back then.

— It was a bit sad when it all ended, — recalls the artist. — To be honest, I missed the project. So it was a great joy that I was invited again, now to «Battle of the Seasons.» I immediately said «yes» and am looking forward to everything being beautiful, elegant, spectacular, and unforgettable.

Alexey Glyzin hints at a secret: according to him, in «Battle of the Seasons» he plans to surprise everyone with new songs and arrangements. And he adds that he would like to perform contemporary works – after all, time brings its own corrections to music.

Representing the fifth, anniversary season of «Superstar!» will be Sergei Chelobanov and Ksenia Georgiadi, who became the winner. She is still grateful to Alexey Glyzin and Viktor Saltikov for persuading her to participate in this show two years ago. Now Ksenia is preparing to appear before viewers in her previous image, but with a new repertoire.

— We selected such compositions, some of which I would never have paid attention to myself. I will try to find new colors – it«s important not only to sing a song but to perform it in a way that touches the souls of the viewers, — she says.

And Sergei Chelobanov admits that he will not compete with other participants and certainly not fight with the judges, since everyone has their own vision of musical order and beauty. First and foremost, he came to the show not for scores, but for his beloved fans.

And Who Judges the Best?

The performances of the «Battle of the Seasons» participants will be evaluated by TV host Lera Kudryavtseva, music critic Sergey Sosedov, singer Stas Piekha, and honored artist of Russia Irina Ponarovskaya. In several episodes, the star lineup will be joined by the soloist of the group «Ivanushki International» Kirill Turichenko – he will temporarily replace the touring Piekha.

All jury members agree on one thing: the current season will be the most difficult in the entire history of the project: it will feature established artists – winners and favorites of past years.

— For us, the jury members, this will be a new kind of judging, since all the artists have already been on this stage. It will depend on the choice of songs, how the participants present them, and so on. I«m sure awarding points this year will be especially difficult, — says Lera Kudryavtseva.

Her colleague Sergey Sosedov – who has worked on the show«s jury for many years – notes that »Battle of the Seasons« will largely be a dialogue with the past.

— Maybe I«ll remember that some artist was at the bottom of the tournament table and add points now, — he noted.

Kirill Turichenko has his own approach.

— I try to maintain a balance between impartial and yet very delicate judging. Discussing, awarding scores to superstars – this is a great honor and an incredible responsibility, — remarked Turichenko.

And Stas Piekha eagerly awaits the start of «Battle of the Seasons,» preparing to enjoy the bright, talented, and creative performances of the participants.

— I can«t even imagine how all this magnificence will have to be judged, — he says. — It»s as if tickets should be sold for the jury seats – you can see and hear better here, at least, — shared Stas Piekha.

The hosts of «Battle of the Seasons» will be Natasha Koroleva and Vadim Takmenev. He, by the way, revealed a small intrigue to us: «Battle of the Seasons» will be a bridge to a new series of the project. And it«s also a celebration for all fans of »Superstar!«, says Takmenev.

— We invited two participants from each season to show what «Superstar!» gave them, how they changed over time, what leap occurred in their careers. They will return to remind everyone of themselves and prove that they are the best of the best, — he noted.