TikTok’s new singing contest is ‘American Idol’ for the viral generation

If you’ve ever fancied yourself on American Idol, you can now audition for the newest singing competition—without ever leaving home.

In partnership with iHeartRadio, TikTok announced its “Next Up: Live Music” singing competition this week, with auditions taking place entirely within the app.

Aspiring stars can submit auditions now through Aug. 11 by uploading an original song with the hashtag #nextuplivemusic—which already has over 1,000 posts at the time of writing.

The top 50 creators will advance to the Semi-Finals, where they’ll perform via livestream. Scores will be determined by likes, views, comments, and shares, as well as feedback from a panel of judges.

“Fans can follow rising artists in real time, engage directly with their performances, and help shape their path to the spotlight,” the press release explains. The final 12 performers will then take the stage live at the iHeartRadio Theater in Burbank, California, on Sept. 28.

The competition is open to anyone in the U.S. over 18, but there are several requirements entrants must meet. Hopefuls must have at least 50,000 TikTok followers with real engagement (i.e. not bot activity). They must own the rights to at least one original song and cannot be signed to a major record label.

For those who meet the criteria and feel ready to take a shot, TikTok adds, “this isn’t just a contest, it’s a launchpad.” The platform has already helped launch the careers of numerous artists, including Olivia Rodrigo and Pink Pantheress.

​​“TikTok has long been a launchpad for musical talent, helping undiscovered artists break through and reach global audiences,” TikTok executive Shen Gao said in the press release. “Next Up: LIVE Music is building on that legacy by turning discovery into a shared, real-time experience.”