What is Project Icon? All you need to know about the new BBC talent show

Ten unsigned artists will compete against each other in a series of industry-inspired challenges, designed to find out who’s got what it takes to make it

As multi-platinum selling artist Jason Derulo knows better than anyone, it’s not enough to be a great singer; to be a real star, you must be able to shine on every platform.

Hosted by Jordan North, Project Icon sees 10 unsigned UK artists competing for the attention of global singer-songwriter Jason Derulo and his long-time business partner, music mogul Frank Harris. They are joined by double Brit Award winner, Becky Hill, who knows exactly what it takes to go from talent show competitor to superstar.

This talent show leaves the shiny floor studios behind and instead throws the artists into the real world of today’s music industry. Designed to find out who’s got what it takes to make it in the fiercely-competitive world of music, the unsigned artists will compete against each other in a series of industryinspired challenges. Everything from creating viral social media videos, to tricky press interviews and of course the ability to perform on some of the UK’s most iconic stages.

Across the series the judges will share their unique insights into how the music industry really works. At the end of each episode they will deliberate and choose the artists who are at risk of being dropped from the competition, with those at risk going head-to-head and performing a song of their choice. After this the judges will decide who has sung their final track and who will continue on their journey to becoming an icon.

The winner will secure a record deal, a collaboration with Jason himself and will get to perform at BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend. Jason Derulo told us: “I’ve watched a million talent shows, from all over the world, and very few artists have actually made it after being in one of those shows.

“There has been a select few, but over the last 20 years, the ratio isn’t very high in terms of having successful artists from singing shows. I think the reason why is because the shows are largely based on singing alone, and that’s not the real world, we live in a world where people are attracted to not only someone’s voice, but also a song, someone’s personality, what they do on social media... “In Project Icon we’re testing artists on their song writing ability, as well as their voice, and also how well they brand themselves, and how compelling they can be on social media, in interviews, and on stage. We live in a day and age where in a click of a button you can reach millions of people. That is as important as having a great song these days. I created this show as I want to find a consummate artist!”

Project Icon starts on Sunday at 9pm on BBC Three and BBC iPlayer.