Host Josh Groban, along with an expert panel of musicians including Brad Paisley, Kesha and Ludacris, welcomed the first set of hopefuls in a brand new singing competition called Rising Star. In the premiere episode on June 22, ten hopefuls battled it out with the dream that your instant votes would send them through to the next round.
Contestants need 70% of America's votes to make the wall rise and to get them through to the next round. Votes from the judges each count as 7%.
Maneepat Molloy, 16, who lives in Los Angeles, Calif. just barely made it through, with 73%. Ludacris voted not to send her through. He said he didn't feel much stage presence from her. Kesha loved it, and said stage presence can be learned.