‘Rising Star’ Spoilers: Some Contestants On NBC Show Have Unfair Advantages Including Record Deals & Prior TV Show Appearances? [VIDEO]
The first six contestants to raise the huge wall on ABC's Rising Star by collecting a 70 percent vote from both viewers and judges are a diverse bunch, but some may be competing for the grand prize despite having some success in the field.
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The six contestants who continued on to the show's next round were: 20-year-old Seaford, N.Y. native Jesse Kinch, 21-year-old Brooklyn, N.Y. based Lisa Punch, 16-year-old L.A. based Maneepat Molloy, 28-year-old Soperton, Ga. native Joshua Peavy, 31-year-old Nashville, Tenn. native Sarah Darling and 16-year-old St. Petersburg, Fla. Native Macy Kate. However, at least two of the contestants could have an unfair advantage over the others.
Though the show allows viewers to be the ultimate judges who decide the fates of the competitors, both Kate and Darling have had prior television show and singing experience, as well as some modicum of success in their music careers.
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Kate, who was plucked out of the Rising Star audience during the premiere and selected to perform after entering the show's Instagram contest, has had prior experience on the television talent show circuit. At age 14, she was the youngest contestant to ever appear in the Boot camp rounds of X Factor's second season, and she has also performed at an event for Radio Disney. She also has signed on with the Paradigm Talent Agency, and is one of their clients.
Darling has had even more success than Kate, and is already somewhat successful as a country music artist. She already has some mutual friends in the business that she shares with show expert Brad Paisley, is signed to Black River Entertainment, and has released two albums: Every Monday Morning in 2009, and Angels and Devils in 2011.
Despite their success, the two are among the first six hoping for a chance to win the show.
The next episode will introduce more new performers to the stage, as they too hope to win over the viewing audience with their talents. According to the show's website, they include: 24-year-old Adam Jaymes from Palmdale, Calif., 25-year-old Alice J. Lee from Chicago, Ill., 18-year-old April Lockhart from Warren, N.J., 20-year-old Austin French from Tifton, Ga., 20-year-old Deedra Ervin from Belle Haven, Va., 18-year-old Egypt Dixon from Texarkana, Texas, 26-year-old Megan Tibbits from Caro, Mich., 25-year-old Rye Davis from Pig, Ky., 30-year-old Shameia Crawford from Lithonia, Ga., 34-year-old Sonnet Simmons from Los Angeles, Calif.,Trinitii (19-year-old Lauren Ona, 19-year-old Cassie Nutter and 30-year-old Jessica Teddington) from Calif., and 24-year-old Will Roth from Watauga, Texas.
Rising Star airs Sundays at 9 p.m. on ABC.
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