MANILA, Philippines - To celebrate the premiere of American Idol Season 12, Star World treated 150 lucky members of the press, Twitter personalities, the hottest celebrities and some big AI fans to an exclusive viewing party at URBN Bar and Kitchen at the Fort Strip, Bonifacio Global City. Hosted by DJ Tracy Abad of Mellow 94.7 and DJ Suzy from Magic 89.9, the event happened on January 17 and lasted from 5 PM to 12 MN, with many surprises for special guests that stoked their American Idol excitement and made their viewing experience all the more enjoyable.
As guests entered the club, they were asked to choose between joining Team Mariah or Team Nicki, a play at the rumored rivalry between two of the new American Idol judges, legendary diva Mariah Carey and rap superstar Nicki Minaj. Fantastic giveaways were presented to each guest based on which team they joined along with other choice Star World items. The program began with welcome remarks from Jude Turcuato, VP Territory Head of Fox International Channels, Philippines before the premiere episode of American Idol Season 12 was screened at 6 PM. At this event, even the commercial breaks were highly anticipated, with prizes from Star World being raffled off to lucky viewers during each break. A repeat screening was held at 8 PM for all the die-hard AI fans in the audience, with more prizes being raffled off at every commercial break. The party continued after the final screening as DJ Nina lured everyone onto the dance floor with her Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj mash-ups.
Season 12 of the No. 1 reality entertainment show is expected to amaze audiences and fans with a revamp of its judging panel as well as some new twists in the audition process to ensure that the most talented contestants from across the US will end up on the American Idol stage. In addition to Carey and Minaj, country singer Keith Urban is joining founding judge and respected music producer Randy Jackson on the American Idol judging panel. Their combined wealth of experience in the music industry will allow them to pick the best contestants that will journey on to becoming the next American Idol. This season, the show puts into effect the "American Idol Small Town Audition Bus Tour" and “Nominate an Idol†program, which are new ways to audition that will surely make waves in American Idol history. All these updates and more will be brought straight into viewer’s homes this 12th season of American Idol by Star World, the Home of Idols.
Divine Lee, CHarmaine Palermo, Jenni Epperson, and Tim Yap during the live screening of American Idol on StarWorld.
Sam Oh
Jude Turcuato, VP-Territory Head of Fox International Channels Philippines, together with Fabio Ide.
Joey Mead and Ian King
G Toengi-Walters and Tim Walters
DJ Nina