Chapter 8 - Preparation is Key[Pop Star Academy: Project 777]
7 Boys
7 Cities
7 Companies
Coming Together To Produce:
The Biggest Global Boy Group Survival Show In History!
Ari read through a few websites to understand what an idol survival show was before heading to the popstar academy website.
It was filled with a bunch of bold claims.
Making the next hottest global boy group. Yada yada.
Based out of Los Angeles, USA, Vegas, USA, and Seoul, South Korea. Yada yada.
Training from top industry experts across multiple continents. Yada yada.
Reality show filmed for YouTube, documentary filmed for FlixNet, and a weekly TV broadcasting slot as well.
Celebrity mentors, expert songs, and the industry's best instructors. Yada yada.
An almost 6-month process. Yada yada.
It was clear they sunk a bunch of money into both the program and advertising.
As Ari's eyes began to glaze over from the sheer amount of information.
Housing and stipend are partially provided...
Seeing the words stipend and free housing provided, Ari's mind immediately lit up.
All of a sudden, he was interested.
This....this looks good!
He began reading in more detail.
Health care, advertisement opportunities with individual payment, etc.
He was already sold on applying, but he diligently continued reading until he scrolled to the bottom, read the text, refreshed the page, and read it again in shock.
A cash prize of 100,000 dollars to the first-place contestant, 50,000 for second place, and 10,000 each from 3rd place through 7th place.
A guaranteed 200,000 cash prize in total. Smaller cash prizes throughout.
All taxes covered.
Grand Prizes will be paid immediately upon finishing the show as part of the debut group.
Mini cash prizes will be paid within the week they were won.
Ari was immediately motivated.
'He had to apply.'
'No, he had to make it! Top 7!'
'No, not just the Top 7. He needed to sweep every mini cash contest and properly aim for the 100k cash prize.'
Becoming a global superstar idol? That was a vague dream!
Earning money directly from participating in the show? Count him in!
With no hesitation, Ari quickly moved over to the application page.
The online application closed at midnight the next day, and tomorrow was the last day for in-person auditions in LA.
Registration Requirements:
▶ ELIGIBILITY
- Age: 17-23 years old
- Gender: Male
- No restrictions on nationality
So far, he was in the clear.
AUDITION
- A self-introduction message for profile shots and video
- 1 song of your choice to sing (minimum 1 min per song)
- Perform 1 choreographed dance with your own background music(max 1 min)
- Present 1 talent separate from the above requirements (basic tuned instruments will be available on set (piano, guitar(acoustic, electric), drums, bass(acoustic, electric))).
- If the participant is a minor, they should be accompanied by a parent/guardian.
As he read the details and expectations, Ari immediately realized that even if he could fix his vocal skills and cover up his beat-up appearance, he had a bigger issue...
He was a minor (17 years 10 months).
So he needed...
Parental permission....
Asking his foster parents? That was impossible.
Ask Grandma Kim and Grandma Lisa? He didn't want to make them lie on the off chance he got caught.
Since that was a bit difficult, he had to use some out-of-the-box thinking.
After all, his 10,000 - 100,000 dollar prize was waiting for him.
Ari read through the requirements again, noting that they just needed an adult present.
If that was the case...
He opened a new tab on the website he frequently used to find an adult to take him places.
AKA, rent-a-family.com.
It was his go-to for situations like this since the person just needed to be there.
If he made it through the audition successfully, by the time the show was midway through, he would be a legal adult.
After reserving a mother figure for the next day, Ari quickly filled out the audition form for the final slot of the day, which was immediately accepted.
Then, he began re
Chapter 8: Preparation is Key
4 min read