Season 1
Opening Act is an American reality television series produced by Nigel Lythgoe Productions which gives unsuspecting acts the break of a lifetime when they're given the chance to open for a variety of superstar music acts including Nicki Minaj, Rod Stewart, LMFAO, Brad Paisley, Jason Aldean, Jason Mraz, Gym Class Heroes and Lady Gaga.
The series premiered in the USA on E! on 9 July, 2012.
Opening Act premiered in South Africa on DStv's E! Entertainment channel on Saturday 6 October 2012, at 20h00. New episodes broadcast weekly. There are eight episodes in the first season.
Synopsis
The intoxicating but elusive dream of music stardom moves a significant step forward for a diverse group of young singers in Opening Act, the wholly original new series from E! Entertainment.
International Emmy Award-winning producer Nigel Lythgoe and his Artist Development Team scoured the Internet searching for the very best performers, singers and songwriters for the sole purpose of opening for the likes of Nicki Minaj, Rod Stewart, LMFAO, Brad Paisley, Jason Aldean, Jason Mraz, Gym Class Heroes and Lady Gaga.
Opening Act is a one-of-a-kind series that promises a chance to fulfill the dream of a lifetime for some of today's hottest yet undiscovered sensations, with no auditions, no judges, no eliminations and no competitions.
The performers don't even know they're being considered for this opportunity until the show's host surprises them in unusual ways.
Comprising the experienced and well-connected Artist Development Team are:
Martina McBride, Grammy Award-nominated and platinum-selling country superstar;
Pete Wentz - author, member of Fall Out Boy and platinum-selling artist;
Jason Derulo, singer and BMI Songwriter of the Year Award winner;
Chart-topping producer Antonina Armato from Rock Mafia; and
Nick Cooper, a vocal coach who has worked with Beyonce and Katy Perry.
Along with Olivia Lee as host, they set the course for the acts to open for some of the biggest acts in music today. However, there's more involved in opening on stage for the first time than vocal coaching, songwriting and seemingly endless rehearsals.
The openers often have personal challenges to overcome, including family members who don't support their dreams, cash-flow woes, medical issues - and picking up and moving to a completely different city where they don't know anyone just to be in the thick of the music industry.
Throughout the season, the Artist Development Team chooses acts to open for a superstar headliner during their current world tours, and Lee guides them through the process - from helping them pack to giving them encouragement along the way.
The acts' emotional journeys from relative obscurity to potential national attention are captured as the Artist Development Team prepares them for their shot at fame.
The search consisted of fun and talented musicians from across the entire music spectrum, including R&B, pop, rock, dance and country, among others.
The headliners and the venues where they will perform include:
Nicki Minaj – James L. Knight Center, Miami, Florida
Rod Stewart – Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada
LMFAO – Amway Center, Orlando, Florida
Brad Paisley - Shoreline Amphitheater, Mountain View, California
Jason Aldean – Oak Mountain Amphitheatre, Birmingham, Alabama
Jason Mraz - Waikiki Shell, Honolulu, Hawaii
Gym Class Heroes - El Paso, Texas
Lady Gaga - Australia
The series is produced by Nigel Lythgoe Productions, Inc. Nigel Lythgoe, Steve Schnur, Simon Lythgoe and Kary McHoul are the executive producers.