Flash Stars
The era of reality shows is upon us. While millions are being made in the US and the UK through the documentation of actual, unscripted events happening to ‘ordinary’ people as opposed to professional actors, here in little old Cyprus, the closest we have come so far to this ‘trend’ are a few reality game shows set in Greece. The most popular ones are the talent-search elimination shows, where the public is also invited to participate through tele-voting. These ‘celebrities’ and gossip associated with them have been major topics of conversation at dinner tables around the island, but now, just as the reality game show front has quieted down, there’s something new to talk about. On October 7, Plus TV aired the very first episode of Flash Stars, a Flash Magazine production about the making of a pop-rock group, starring 20 youngsters. The first few shows focused on the auditions of some of the 400 contestants who originally competed for places. In tonight’s programme the viewers will find out who the 20 finalists were. And it’s at this point that the programme gets really interesting, for out of the 10 boys and 10 girls announced tonight, only five will ultimately be chosen to take their place in a pop-rock group and a promising record deal!
“First of all, I must stress that Flash Stars has very little to do with Fame Story and Pop Idol and other previous reality competition game shows that everyone is so used to,” said Andri Tsavella, creator and presenter of the show. “With Flash Stars we are concentrating on the making of a group, meaning what exactly one must go through in order to become a star, a singer and entertainer.”
The show, which is broadcast once a week, shows footage of the experiences lived by the 20 youngsters, during ‘boot camp’ over the summer. Singing, dancing and movement lessons were all included in the programme amongst other activities. “Our aim is to create a pop-rock group where the five members of this group will actually be able to dance well, sing extremely well and have the whole package of what constitutes a star,” said Andri. “We are not promising a show, we are promising a show about the making of a group.”
Unlike Fame Story and Pop Idol, there will be only one live show in the first week of January, where the final five members will be announced. “The public will be allowed to begin voting for their favourite star in December through tele-voting,” explains Andri. “At the same time, the teachers/judges will also begin grading and finally eliminating those who won’t make it to the final five, so even though all 20 will sing at the live show, only half of them will know that they have a shot at being in the group.”
An announcement was published in Flash’s January 2007 issue, in which all individuals interested in participating in the making of a pop group were asked to step forward. By April auditions had already began. “When I first had the idea to create this kind of opportunity for talented kids aged between 14-25, we were focusing on bringing it out via the magazine by printing pictures and writing about it but one thing led to another and all of a sudden I was the one who was given the opportunity to make it a much bigger deal,” explains Andri.
Auditions took place in various clubs around the island with over 400 boys and girls flocking to the nearest outlet, in an attempt to strut their stuff and please the judges.
“It was a terrifying experience,” said Dakis Vasiliou, 20, one of the 20 finalists. “Although I love singing and music in general, I had no experience whatsoever, so it was quite difficult.”
Apparently, Daki isn’t the only one with very little or hardly any experience in singing and entertaining. “If you think about it, there are children who have so much talent but don’t get the chance to work with vocal coaches due to financial reasons,” Andri explained. “So we are proud to have a mixture of experienced ones and others who through all the training they’ve been doing have become even better than the ones who had five years of lessons.”
Even though Flash’s aim was to create a pop-rock group with talented singers, during the auditions many dancers and instrument players took the opportunity to display their talents too.
“We realised there were so many others who were extremely talented instrument-players or dancers that we couldn’t just turn away, so we decided that after the members of the group have been chosen we will begin searching for teenagers with other talents to accompany the group on shows and performances,” said Andri.
A second audition was held in July and by this point the teachers/judges nailed their final choices down to 20. Just like Fame Story, Flash Stars are judged and graded by their teachers.
There is a vocal coach, Andreas Yerolemou, a movement and choreography teacher, Maria Zachariou- Karapitta, an artistic supervisor, Neofitos Neofitou and a styling guru, Antonis Solomou.
The finalists worked closely with the four teachers as soon as the second audition was over, with ‘boot camp’ beginning on July 23.
“The kids were off for the summer holidays, so we thought we would take them to a hotel for six days, where they would get to know each other and begin lessons right away,” explained Andri.
“It wasn’t really as tough as we first thought it would be,” said Margarita Pashiourtidou, 16. “In fact, we actually enjoyed the whole process especially the styling part!” The stars were also treated to free shopping in a bid to prepare for their live performances and also a make-over, wherever needed. “Apart from a couple of girls, we didn’t have any extreme makeovers,” said Andri. “We simply added that star quality part that comes from appearance as well as talent.”
At the hotel, the finalists were up at 9 am every morning for six days. Breakfast came first followed by a three hour lesson. “We would have three hour consultations and lessons with our vocal teacher at the music school or with our stylist,” explained Natassa Economou, 16.
Although most of the finalists said they were satisfied with the training and lessons, some admitted feeling a bit pressured. “We did have one girl who couldn’t cope with the pressure and the stress, so she left,” said Andri. “But other than that, the kids were delighted with their progress and got on very well with each other.”
They were also taken to clubs and various restaurants at the end of each day and wherever possible, they all demonstrated their love for music and singing. “We went to a fish tavern and by the end of the night we were singing and dancing and people were cheering us on,” said Dakis.
Although Flash Stars may not have made their way to your living rooms just yet, the word is spreading among teenagers. “They are considered heroes, even celebrities in their world,” said Andri. “It’s a big thing for them.”
From the Stars’ perspective, however, some have had to deal with certain other issues. “All of a sudden, I’m realising who my friends are,” says Margarita. “I don’t really want to get into it but jealousy can be a bad and hurtful tendency.”
Whatever might be going on in their personal lives, however, the biggest and most important concern is the competition and, especially, the live performance at the Pavilion in January. “I keep thinking about it and get extremely stressed whenever I do,” says Dakis. “But I’m getting used to the idea and hope I’ll be OK on the day.”
The finalists will have a month to work on the song they have chosen for their live performance. “We have been very strict with the songs,” said Andri. “We have specifically told them to stay away from pop hits and focus on more adroit songs, so they can be judged based on their skills and talents rather
than just their performance.”
Once the group – three boys and two girls – is established, it will be straight to the recording studio for the five members. “The idea is to create an all Cypriot pop-rock group that will record a CD with Greek songs written by Cypriot creators,” said Andri. “From then on, hopefully, we will be looking at booking events, promoting the group and the CD and giving these kids the opportunity of a lifetime.”
Flash Stars is on Plus TV every Sunday at 7:30pm and repeated on Saturdays at 7:00pm.
– Dakis Vasiliou is 20 years old. He lives in Nicosia and is a student although he works as a barman on weekends.
– Yiannis Demirjian is 18 years old. He lives in Nicosia where he also works for a private company while singing takes up the rest of his time.
– Ermos Xenofontos is 18 years old. He lives in Limassol and serves in the army.
– Marios Kritikopoulos is a 17-year-old student living in Dali, Nicosia.
– Chris Spyrou is a student at the Pancyprian Gymnasium. He is 17 years old.
– Pantelis Panayiotou is 17 years old and attends the Kyprianou The Martyr School in Nicosia.
– Odysseas Constantinou is a 17-year-old student at the Linopetra Lyceum in Limassol.
– Vasilis Eleftheriou is 17 years old. He attends the American Academy in Larnaca.
– Panayiotis Georgiou is a 16-year-old pupil at the Technical School in Nicosia.
– Stelios Papadopoulos is 16 years old and attends the Pancyprian Gymnasium in Nicosia.
– Lucy Christodoulidou is a 21-year-old private employee and student.
– Mary Chrysanthou is 17 years old and from Limassol. She is a pupil at the Linopetra Lyceum.
– Natassa Economou is from Pafos. She is 16 years old and attends the Kykkou Lyceum.
– Margarita Pashiourtidou attends the Pascal English School. She is 16 years old and lives in Larnaca.
– Encarnita Ioannou is 15 years old, lives in Larnaca and attends the Aradippou Lyceum.
– Giota Christou is 15 years old. She attends the Foti Pitta Lyceum in Frenaros and lives in Famagusta.
– Irene Tsappa is from Pafos. She attends the Kykkou Lyceum and is 15 years old.
– Fotini Michaelides is 14 years old. She is from Pafos and attends the Panagia Theoskepasti Gymnasium.
– Simone Lazarou is also from Pafos yet attends the Pallouriotissa Gymnasium in Nicosia and is 14 years old.
– Rafaella Vasiliou is the youngest Flash Star. She is 13 years old and attends the Pascal English School.
