01x01 - Episode 1

[bunniefuu]

This opportunity is literally
like gold dust.

Followed by 80 million people,

multi-platinum, award-winning artist
Jason Derulo

is on the hunt for
the next global superstar.

I know I could find a diamond in
the rough right here in the UK

and turn them into a global icon.

Along with international music
manager Frank Harris...

We want artists who understand

the importance of building
their brand.

We want that superstar spark.

..they're swapping America
for Manchester

and teaming up with
British pop sensation Becky Hill.

The music industry has evolved

and it's time for talent shows
to evolve with it.

With the UK music scene on fire,

they're ready to bag themselves
a slice of the rich talent on offer.

The artist that wins will get to
sign a huge record deal

with yours truly,

and they'll get to perform
at Radio 1's Big Weekend.

But a voice is not enough.

So good!

..ten unsigned artists will take on
real-world challenges...

I'm so nervous.

..that catapult them into
the world of a pop star.

This is why I hate social media.

Imma be real, I'm a silent k*ller.

One by one, they will be dropped.

That was the worst interview
you could give.

Your performance was weak, man.

I'd better not see you
at the bottom again.

They'll be battling it out...

You do need to watch the bits where
you are stepping on people's toes.

Have a day off, bruv.

No-one likes a team player that
throws other team members

under the bus.

..for the prize of a lifetime.

Whoo!

Things are about to get real crazy.

This programme contains
some strong language

This is Icon Studios,

a multimillion pound complex in
the heart of Manchester.

Music legends such as Rihanna,
Justin Bieber, Snoop Dogg,

and even Jason Derulo himself

have all made music right here
in this building.

Our artists come with music ranging
from country to drum and bass.

For six weeks, they will write,
record and perform here.

It's going to be
a life-changing experience

and a busy few weeks.

Oh, my God!

One, two, three, four, five icons.

Love it.

I have loud outfits,
I have a big gap tooth

and I don't have eyebrows.

I take inspiration from
the punk movement,

but make it pretty.

I definitely see myself bumping
heads with quite a few people.

Winning Project Icon
would change my life,

because you get a record deal.

It's so big.

And everybody wants a record deal.

Hello, gorgeous.

I was getting
lonely over here.

Nice to meet you.
Barry.

I'm a singer-songwriter and model.

That's how I earn my money.

I sing for my supper.

What kind of music do you make?

I want to be able to make any kind
of music I want.

We're icons. That's why we're here.
Hi, guys.

My name is Okeam.

I'm 24 and I'm from Birmingham.

I'm an R&B singer.

I'm a singer-songwriter

and I've been doing it
since I was at the age of five.

That's OK,
that's fine.

Hello!

The name is Xyzelle

and I'm Bristol's hidden superstar.

I would say that I am
a singer first,

a model second,

and third, whatever occupation
pays the bill for the month.

I like hustling,
that's what I'm all about.

Chasing my dreams.

Come on. What you saying?

What you saying?

My name's Charlie.
I'm 22 and I'm from Essex.

My day is nine to five,
social media marketing.

Five to ten, music grind,
R&B artist.

Hey, all looking fresh. Come on.

Gorgeous girl.
Look at her. Marilyn Monroe.

I'm very soulful.

I love soul, I love jazz,
I love R&B.

I play the guitar.

I am softly spoken,

but I guess my voice carries.

Whoo! What's happening?

I know who I want to be
as an artist.

I understand social media,

I understand music,
I understand fashion,

I know what I want to do.

I'm ready to be
the next global superstar.

We've got colourful competition.

I'm over here on the other side
like, hmm.

All right? This is very intimating.

Welcome.

I'm an indie boy,

but I absolutely love pop music
as well.

So it's the fusing of those
two things that really make

musical magic for me.

Dylan, what kind of music
do you make?

Kind of like Bruno Mars.

Featuring with
Arctic Monkeys kind of thing.

I've got an Arctic Monkeys tattoo.

Whoo!

Hi!

Ginger!

Busking has definitely changed
everything for me.

I posted three videos to start off
with, of me busking,

and the third one got
three million views.

I was like, "Oh, I guess people
must like it then."

How are you feeling?
Are you feeling OK?

I'm so nervous.

Two gingers over here.
We have a little hug.

Oh, my God. Gingers unite.

Gingers unite!

Is that everyone?

Whoo!

Best till last!

I'm an alternative
country singer-songwriter.

I have purposefully done this genre
so that I'm not like anyone else.

I will be strategic to win.

I want to win and I will win.

What does everyone do, like,
as a day job?

I'm a waitress.

Oh, girl, same,

but I don't identify with that job.

We have ten artists,

but for one of them,

the journey could be over sooner
than they think.

Is there a lot of country scene
in The Wirral?

It's a country vibe.

There's not many country singers,
like.

Before they meet the judges,

they have the pleasure
of meeting me.

Hey!

Oh!

First things first,

you need to take your shoes off
on the new carpet.

I'm joking, I'm joking!
Don't be daft.

How are we feeling?
Yeah, good.

I've been working on my music
for such a long time

and I'm really confident
and I'm ready to show it.

Are you bored of chatting
on the sofa already?

# I can't help it

# I get starstruck around you

# What can I do, baby? #

Welcome to Project Icon.

You guys have been invited
personally,

because I want you guys
to make the play

to be signed to my record label.

# Jason Derulo... #

Jason Derulo,
he is literally the epitome

of who I want to be as an artist.

# Been around the world
Don't speak the language... #

He's a global superstar,

so literally even being in his
presence is going to be nuts, mate.

# When you
You talk dirty to me... #

With over four billion
Spotify streams

and a social media following of over
80 million people worldwide,

Jason is one of the most followed
people on the planet.

And he's in the UK to give one
artist a life-changing opportunity.

The artist that we're looking for
can be from any genre.

They've just got to prove to us that
they've got what it takes.

The artist that wins Project Icon

will get to sign a huge record deal
with yours truly,

will get to perform
at Radio 1's Big Weekend,

and they'll get a collab with me on
a commercial release of their song.

Whoever wins this deal,

their lives will never be the same.

We plan to test every part
of your talent.

# It's only when I'm lying in bed
on my own... #

Alongside Jason,

ten years out from being discovered
on The Voice,

Brit award-winner Becky Hill.

I know the hard work
you have to put in

and the sacrifices you have to make

to get to the top of
the music industry.

# Every time I walk past your house
in the rain... #

I think it's important to have
a judge on the artists' side

who knows what they're going
through.

Becky Hill, her voice is incredible.

Yeah, I am a Becky Hill superfan.

# That's when I remember. #

And over these next few weeks,

we're going to push you,

we're going to challenge you,

and we're going to keep it real
with you.

And not-to-be-crossed international
music manager Frank Harris.

I'm a manager, label owner,

publishing company owner,

entertainment lawyer.

Frank will take no sh*t.

We started from nothing

and built an entire empire
from scratch.

I've been working with Jason Derulo
since he was 12 years old

and we just built, built, built,
built, built.

Frank Harris, as an industry
heavyweight,

he obviously knows
what he's talking about.

He knows what he's looking for

and I don't think he's going
to hold back.

So the hard work starts now.

You have 90 seconds to perform your
signature track.

After this performance...

..one of you...

..is going to get dropped...

..immediately.

Straight up!
Geez!

It might be day one
of the competition,

but it's not too soon to throw
these artists in the deep end.

We asked them
to sing their signature tracks,

which essentially is an original
song by them that they

think exemplifies them as an artist.

We have just been told that
one of us is going home TODAY.

It's, like, a bit of a
bombshell, to be honest.

At the end of the day,
these people are my competition.

I've known them,
what, like, 20 minutes?

We're not friends - go home.

I am going to smash it,

because I am going to pull out
my stage persona, the drip god, he's

going to be let loose on that stage,
and they won't be able to forget me.

The signature track is where
first impressions count.

But one of them
won't make it past this point.

Mia...

show time.

You've got this, girl.
You've got this.

# What do you think you're doing?

# This is not a game

# So don't get confused

# You're the one to blame... #

My closest friends would describe me
as being a nervous wreck.

I'm quite shy, but when I sing,
I'm just not shy any more.

# ..You took my love for granted
So this is the end

# Don't think we're starting over
Now you can tell your friends

# Whilst your in your bed
You know I'm in your head

# But you just have to accept
that I'm over you

# If you did just what you say
You'd still be in my head

# But you just have to accept
That I'm over you

# Yeah, I'm over you..

# Don't cry
because I'm over you, cry

# Because you're the one who knew
I'm better than you could do

# You were just a trial run... #

Yes!

Thank you.
Well done, so good.

Mia, that's what I'm talking about,
man!

When Mia first walked in the room,

definitely didn't picture
her as competition.

She opened her mouth and we
were all just, like, "Whoa! OK.

"We need to watch out for her."

I love dance music, and that already
sounds pretty good to go.

Thank you so much, that means a lot.

On first impressions,
Mia has an incredible voice.

I was really impressed
with the song.

I was really nervous to start
off with and I didn't think that

I did that well until I got the
feedback, and I was like,

"Oh, really, me? Me?"

Lillie-Jo, come up here and perform.

I'm from north London, Islington.

I started off singing in my
parents' pub on the pool table,

and I've gone from that to now
singing in big central London

clubs where people pay to actually
come and see me sing.

I want to win, I'm going
to try my hardest to win.

I'm also rooting for everyone else
to win, that's just the way I am.

Hi.
Hello, hello.

Bit nervous,
not going to lie.

# You say it's me
You say I'm trippin'

# But I can see you're acting
different

# I try but I can't deny
I'm losing this battle with you

# Cos I don't know what I did
but I...

# Know I don't deserve this

# Cos I'm losing this
battle with you... #

Babes, I know this is,
like, terrifying,

but don't be so apologetic

when you perform.

I think there's
a beast inside of you.

I think today I think
you were really nervous.

I also think that the song,
like, it just didn't lift enough.

Like, I needed like a moment to be
stronger in your voice.

I wrote the song when I was 17,
Ah.

I feel like I don't really connect
with it as much any more.

So, why did you pick it?

Because it's one of my...

..better ones?
OK.

You don't know how much time you
have here. This is it, you know?

So, you've got to make it happen.

I'm sure that when they do see
my full potential, that's

when they're going to be,
like, "There's the beast!"

Next up...

..Jay.

Yo, what's boppin'?

I've always done music
and then I ended up

getting into a boyband who were
called Kingsland Road.

I was able to, like,
perform at Wembley Arena,

we supported, like, Little Mix.

There is a gap in the market
for a male UK artist who has

the full package - they sing, they
dance, they take fashion seriously -

and I feel like I'm
the person to fill that.

# Rice, peas and chicken

# Pah, pah

# It tastes so yum-yum, so yum-yum

# In my tum-tum, my tum-tum

# Yes, everyone thinks I am Indian

# Or Filipino, but I am Jamaican

# I want to shake my bum

# Ha-ha-ha! Shake that bum, bum, bum

# But first I want some
rice, peas and chicken

# Oh, oh... #

Ha!

# Oh, oh, oh. #

Wow!

I think that song is horrible.

That... That might be one of the
worst songs I've ever heard

in my life, actually.

I've seen your videos,
I've seen you dance, I think

you're one of the best performers
here.

But that song, that was...

..not the vibe for you, boy.
That was tough.

When he said, like, "That was
the worst song I've ever heard,"

my jaw dropped.
I was, like...

Have you ever heard a song before
that sounds similar to that or no?

May be like Tems or Wizkid.

You think Wizkid would make
a song about...

..rice, peas and chicken?

Well, maybe, like,
the Jamaican version.

Thank you.

For what it's worth,
I'm going to be singing,

# Rice, peas and chicken... #

It's already in my head.

Unfortunately it's in my head, too.

My God!

I feel like sometimes
when you do something that is, like,

so out of the box, people won't
necessarily get it straight away.

# So, take a bunch of yellow
roses from me

# I'll remember all
of your stories

# Filled with colour
and they were just blue... #

When the chorus hit, honestly,
I was all the way there.

It was like I was there with you.

Barry's first
performance was impressive,

but I need to see that his style and
what he represents is commercial.

# And I don't want to be by myself

# Want this life with someone else

# Random nights in cheap hotels

# I keep telling myself
that I'm looking to find

# To find that one... #

Charlie.

I'm not sure that
I see an artist here.

Damn it, Charlie!

You wrote that song?
It's clear that you...

..you don't really have
experience songwriting.

It just felt very underprepared
and...

I don't know, just,
it was missing something for me.

I could have picked a
song with a better chorus.

I think the song let me down.

Frank said he wasn't sure
if I was an artist or not,

which I didn't agree with.
He's only saw a snippet.

I'm going to show him the energy
and hard work I can bring.

I think it's really,

really important to find great
songwriters through these

original songs that the
artists bring to the competition.

# Feel the vibrations moving
back and forth in your mind

# Your mind

# I just need you tonight... #

You've just
smashed down the doors.

I want to hear that
signature track once

and be singing that song
after I've heard it.

It's a big challenge.

# I bet you're feeling so low

# But I think it's me
and I've just got to go... #

Yeah, I think I can see a lot in
90 seconds of an artist, sure.

I can figure that
out in nine seconds.

# ..Creeping in your heart in... #

I personally love country music.

I can't say that I've ever heard a
UK country singer actually make it.

# ..You were always going to lose. #

The standard is high now, right?

I mean, she came out here
and k*lled it.

So, you guys had better be ready.

When they said, "You set the
standard," I was, like, "Yes!

"I set the standard!"

# As I break down these doors

# As I am

# As I am
Just take me for who I am. #

My first impressions of Nnenna,
she has an impressive voice,

she can write pretty well,

but I'm not sure how her music
would fit in today's market.

I liked the song. I felt,

melody-wise there could be some
notes that were sweeter.

Yeah, your vocal quality is amazing.
Thank you.

This is their starting point,

this is their creative vision from
the very infancy, it's a big moment.

# Dreaming

# I'm dreaming
I'm dreaming, yes

# I'm leaning

# I'm leaning
I'm leaning towards the maze

# Scheming

# Getting lost
and confusing the days

# I spend multiple nights
Frown on my face

# Smile reappears by the day... #

Vocally, it wasn't there.

Songwriting wasn't great to me,
either.

I think we've got to step
it up to really be able to

compete at the level you
want to play.

I didn't reach my potential,
vocally.

I think I was so focused on,
like, looking like a star,

I kind of, like,
lacked on sounding like one.

Everybody thinks that they have a
chance to be this humongous star...

..but it's time to perform, baby.

# You made the liquor hit quicker

# Soft apple lips tempt mine

# And in the midnight shiver

# Your religion feels so damn right

# I worship your body and soul

# Born again every time
I'm touching you

# Touching you, yeah... #

Dylan has a great
sensibility on who he is,

and he feels comfortable in his skin
and it illuminates a room.

# ..And now I'm praying to
another god

# I found her running
my hands on your body

# And if it's sin
then I'm a sinner, so

# You're in heaven now, heaven now

# Said, baby, we're in heaven now. #

I think we've found the strongest
song. Do you write much music?

I love songwriting, because I don't
do very well at talking about stuff,

so I've written my whole life.

For me, you're the frontrunner

after that performance.
Thank you.

For the judges to say that I was,
you know, frontrunner, as it were,

like, is great.

I came here to play them my music
and they seem to like it,

so, for me, that's a massive win.

Thank you guys so much, you've
given us a lot to think about.

So, after seeing everybody perform,

we definitely have some diamonds in
the rough here, a lot of potential.

Head down to the studios,
we're going to decide who...

..is going to be dropped.

One-on-one with Jason
was nerve-racking.

I thought his feedback was fair,

you know, I think
it's the kick I needed.

I don't think I'm going home today.

I don't know if that's me
trying to be positive.

They were harsh, with a capital H.

I am a survivor, so I didn't come
all this way to go home.

Yeah, I feel
That was intense.

That was... I was shocked.

Okeam's performance did surprise me.

If I get to stay around, I would
definitely watch out for him.

Well, someone got no feedback

and just got told they're the
frontrunner.

Whoo!
Mr Dylan!

I pride
myself on being a frontrunner,

so, I'm definitely coming for Dylan.

Hey!

Whoa!

sh*t the bed, that was intense.

Too intense.
Yeah.

Frank's a bit...frank, ain't he?

Expected it from Frank,
but I thought Jason would be, like,

a bit more friendly and fun
and like goofy with it,

but he's here for business.

Yeah.
Yeah.

Real business, he wants to find
his artist for his record label,

and so he's got to cut through
throats to get to them, I guess.

I feel like I'm quite
a confident person.

Hopefully, fingers crossed,
if I get through to the next part,

I can just prove that
I have more than that song.

Being dropped, it may sound harsh,

but that's the reality of this
industry.

At any point,
your record label can drop you.

At any point,
the fans can turn against you.

All right, guys, the music
industry is cut-throat.

Sometimes, all you have is a

limited amount of time to make
an impression.

You've always got to be ready to
shine and grab people's attention.

Charlie, stand up.

Listen, I'm sorry, bro, but today...

..your performance was mediocre.

But...

..Jay, you've been dropped.

You had 90 seconds. 90 seconds
to give us your best, right?

And we just felt what you did
wasn't close to what

we were looking for in a
competition of this magnitude.

The personality that you have,
you're going to go far.

Just maybe not here.

Thank you guys for this experience
and I appreciate your feedback.

I love you and I'll miss you.
Have a lovely time.

We're trying to set
a tone for this competition.

Don't get comfortable.
At any moment,

this can be taken away from you.

Jay is the first
artist to be dropped.

Now nine artists remain
in the running for the record deal.

So, the rest of the road is not
going to get any easier.

This is just the beginning.

I'm looking for a complete artist,

an artist that can write
songs, an artist that has

a sense of identity and an artist
that can stand out on social media.

If this artist can get to
millions of people at a click

of a button,
of course they have an advantage.

In this next challenge,

each of you will make a
30-second video.

I'm looking for creativity,

I'm looking for somebody who can
own and understand

what their brand is and then be able
to convey it via TikTok,

via Instagram, via YouTube.

The video should encompass who
you are as an artist

and how you want your brand
perceived in the marketplace.

Social media is scary.
You have to be engaging,

you have to be likeable -
that's a difficult thing to do.

If your content doesn't fire us up,
you'll be dropped.

But I can't wait to see what you
guys come up with.

Good luck.
Make sure you bring it.

The best piece of advice that I've
ever been given was by P Diddy,

he said, "Never sleep."

I ain't slept since.

Oi, Dylan, frontrunner,
you get in that water!

After a sleepless night, the artists

arrive at the venue they'll be using
for their social media challenge -

a 15-bedroom mansion
in the Cheshire countryside.

Look at that!

Look at the house!

What a gaffe.

This is a bit of me,

this is how I would want to live
the rest of my days!

The artists must produce a
30-second video that engages their

audience and
showcases their music and brand.

Morning, you lot.

Welcome to my humble abode!

Are you ready to break the internet?

I think I've got, like,

a nice idea that I could pull
off in this amazing house.

Fingers crossed, Dylan flops.

You know, love him, but he needs
to go home, frontrunner.

I think the most intimidating
part about this challenge is

the fact that people
here are TikTokers and I'm not.

It's just about executing
and about getting it

to look how it's going to look
in my head.

Whether I can do that or not, we're
going to have to wait and see.

You haven't got too long,

so, let's not mess about, get
yourself in there and get cracking.

After yesterday, I'm very nervous,
seeing how harsh the judges can be.

I'm going to try to break
the internet.

Whether I do or not is
another story!

It's really hard to master
social media.

Back in the day,
artists were very mysterious.

Now, as a fan, I want to
know who you are as a person.

Labels aren't even signing artists
that don't have a social following.

Across social media, our judges

worldwide have a following
of nearly 100 million people.

Whether you like it or you don't,
it's just a part of the business.

Some of our artists have limited
experience on social media

and have a few followers.

On the other end of the scale,

some of the artists have
thousands of followers.

Like Mia, at 417,000.

And Emelle, who's got 142,000.

A little dicky bird tells me

that you think you've cracked
the algorithm.

Yeah, I know the structure
of how the algorithm works,

what it values, what it likes.

I managed to get, like, 9 million
views on a video.

9 million?
I know. It was crazy.

# Hey, there, Mr Tin Man... #

I'm a bit of a geek,
self-admittedly.

I started looking into things to
do with my brand and thinking,

right, what
are the trending hashtags?

I saw it was, like, accent challenge
and singing challenges.

People might have followings
but it might be accidental.

A lot of people tend to
gravitate towards me

because I am a strong character
and I am loud.

I've got over 140,000 followers
and over 4 million likes now.

I feel like I'll be absolutely fine
with the social media challenge.

I'm sticking with what I know.
I'm going to sing in my accent.

This is the concept I used when
I got 9 million views.

I'll let you
crack on, I'll see you in a bit.

See you in a bit.

Upstairs, frontrunner Dylan
has recruited some actors,

Barry and Lillie-Jo,
for his video about relationships.

So, if you be my girlfriend,
OK.

Social media is an incredibly
important part of being an artist.

Because the theme of my
video is basically,

when dating your partner means
dating their best friend, too.

But also it doesn't really come
that naturally to me.

I'm much better in the studio
or with my guitar.

Nnenna has recruited Okeam
to help on her video.

The song is called Good Guy.

I'm working out
and then, as I'm working out,

there's this guy who is persistent
in getting my number.

Yeah, basically.
That's where you come in.

I do use social media to
promote my music.

Whether I'm good at it,
that's a different question.

I'm still kind of figuring that out.

Xyzelle is looking to show her
star quality with an ambitious

idea based on makeovers.

I'm going to make myself look
really ugly to grab Jason

and the judges' attention.

I'm going to be running, too.

Because my song is, like, running,
running, so I'll be running

to my glam. Finish off with a big
glam reveal of me, basically.

Love that.

I definitely deserve more
recognition in my social following.

I'm, like, criminally underrated.

The judges loved your personality
and...

Yeah, so, I need to make sure
I keep it up

and I meet their expectations.
Yeah.

How are you feeling?

Bit gutted about the performance
yesterday.

So I'm hoping today, you know,
I can show my funny side,

redeem myself, show that I can work
hard - I've got a lot to prove.

I do social media marketing.

I feel like I know what it is
that's going to make people want to

share my music videos
and share the social media content.

So, I've got that on lock.
So, what's your actual

plan for today, then?
What are you going to do?

Well, so, there's a trend
going round at the moment,

like, showing best dance moves
in the club.

Comedy normally goes viral, so,
that's what I'm hoping to do, man.

Exactly. Good luck, pal.
Sweet, bro. Thank you.

Do you want me to do, like, a psycho
Yeah.

It looks really good.
Yeah, definitely, yeah.

What is going on? What
is my life right now, please?

I've finished filming! Whoo!

Once the artists have
filmed their videos,

they need to edit them
before sending them to the judges.

I probably should have took longer.
I've took about...

..15 minutes.

I feel like if the judges don't like
it, I have to stand by it.

It's my concept.

Back at Icon Studios,

the judges will view the
videos the artists have created.

I want the videos that get me
from the jump.

I would find it very difficult
doing this challenge.

In fact, I'm pretty sure if this
was my week, I'd be going home.

First up, Emelle.

People always say, "Why do
you sing in an American accent

"and not in your accent?"

And I tell them...

# I've been waiting here for hours

# Like a puppet on a string... #

# ..Just waiting for me phone
to ring... #

Country doesn't sound
so good in a Scouse accent, does it?

That was a Grade A
piece of content.

And then she also
put a challenge out -

duet me with your accent?

It's clever to build a brand.
She did really, really well.

In Cheshire, Xyzelle's
ambitious makeover video

is becoming a reality.

You are crazy doing another
full face of make-up.

Like, you would not see me
doing that.

I have to film it in real-time.

There is an
editing part in TikTok, you know?

Up next, Dylan.

Right, cool.

# Can't stop now
We're madly in love

# We can't stop now
We're madly in love

# We can't stop now

# Can't stop now
We're madly in love

# Can't stop now
We're madly in love... #

Oh! Dylan is an all-rounder, for me.

So, Dylan is two for two, for me.

It was still clever and cool
but it just fit his personality

and who he is. I thought
Yeah, sure.

What is going on now? Argh!

And then you stop here.
Stop here?

While Nnenna puts her finishing
touches on her video,

Barry has been
roped into helping Mia.

# Whilst you're in bed
You know I'm in your head

# You just have to
accept that I'm over... #

I have 400,000 followers and I
think people are expecting quite

a big end result from me,
but that's a lot more pressure.

You are literally a pro.

I'm glad that I got you to help
with my video,

because everyone else is done.

What are we going for?
Bad beat energy.

My message to all the people that
doubted me in school.

Cool. Let's get the beast out,
For real!

I wouldn't really say I'm very
big on TikTok, I've not got too

many videos, I've
got a couple of viral videos.

But I wouldn't call
myself a TikToker.

Charlie's dance move video is next.

And just like that, we're done.

# When the sun rise up

# Just fell in love with a dancer

# 'Stead of being just a friend

# Fell in love with your confidence

# I fell in love with a dancer

# She gave me... #

I'm going to be taking
those to my club!

It's not bad, right?

But I want to be able to
understand who he is as a singer.

You can make TikToks for fun, OK?

And maybe this is for a different
space, but in our space,

that doesn't fit.

A few moves later, Mia's ready
to post.

Did you hurt your knee?
Yeah!

# Whilst you're in your bed

# You know I'm in your head

# But you just have to accept
that I'm over you

# Yeah, I'm over you

# Da-da, da-da-da

# Da-da, da-da-da

# Da-da, da-da-da

# Da-da-da

# Da-da, da-da-da... #

What I would have expected is
maybe something better,

because at 18, you're kind
of in the TikTok demographic.

Yeah, for sure, and
plus, that groove at the end,

I've got to learn that one!

You was kind of
I was like,

"What is that?"
No, you trippin'!

Just look at that now.
No.

With good guy Okeam's help,
Nnenna's video is finished

and posted.

# Calls himself a good guy
Yo!

# I fell for it all the time

# Staring at me with those eyes

# But now I see you

# Thought you were a good guy

# Now I... #

I didn't love that one.
It was the lack of effort for me.

I generally go with the
rule of three, you want to have,

like, three different scenarios.
Yeah.

Finally, having used up
lots of time helping others

with their videos, the less
experienced TikTokers are under way.

Okeam...

We've got a lot to do.
..Lillie-Jo...

Come here.

No, I don't, I can't babe, sorry.

There's
nothing that you can help with.

I'm too stressed. I can't even talk.
Just need to get it done.

..and Barry...

I'm trying to be, like, funny
You are funny...

The British...
Thank you, Dylan.

So, I'm just going to be
like a psycho, you've woken up,

I've cooked you food.

Social media is
definitely my kryptonite.

The one thing I find the most
irritating is posting a video and

then it gets, like, 40 likes, and
you're, like, "What was the point?"

After lots of running, Xyzelle's
finally crossed the finish line.

I probably should have done the glam
stuff first in my video, I was

running around panicking, but then,
last minute, it all came together.

# I've been running out of
Running out of time

# I've been running, I've been
running towards the starlight

# Waiting left and now
I'm back to the far right... #

I'm not sure,
from watching that video,

I know what her brand represents.

I don't know, I think there's
a confident young woman there.

It's good. It wasn't, like...
Yeah.

All right, that will do me.

Happy-ish with what I've done.

I was really, really stressed
but at least I got it finished.

I spent quite a lot of time helping
other people at the beginning.

Maybe I should start
thinking about myself from now on.

# I've been busy, man
I swear I haven't stopped

# And I forgot about you
To be honest

# Don't think I thought about you
To be honest

# You've got a face
I'd like to sit on... #

It took me a really long
time to understand that she was

talking to the bullies in high
school now trying to talk to her.

I felt like it wasn't as warm
as that girl is.

There was nothing redeeming about it
for me.

This isn't likeable, for me.
Yeah.

Barry!

I'm literally, like, panicking.

I literally just made it with one
minute.

This was the one challenge
I was going to lose my mind on,

and I did lose my mind on.

I didn't put
enough time into my own thing.

It just feels like it's
trying to hard.

But TikTok is trying to hard.

I know. This is why I hate social
media. It's so cringey, I hate it.

Dylan's definitely the biggest
competition right now.

His video was good. I did better
acting in that than my own one.

So, we'll see what happens.

Hopefully his video doesn't win
because otherwise I'll be fuming.

Bruv!

# I just wondered
if you wanted something to eat! #

No, I'm not hungry,
I should probably...

# I made you rice
Peas and chicken! #

h*-h*-h*!

Gone. But that song
will never be forgotten.

I loved that!

I loved that and I love Barry.

I think that epitomised
his personality.

Talking about kicking somebody
when you're down! Oh, my goodness!

I thought he was lifting him up.
Lifting him up?

Yeah, he said gone but, like,
this song will never be forgotten.

Yeah, but I don't think
he meant that in a positive way.

What are you talking about?

Do you want to see it?
Yeah, please.

Yes, transition.
The transitions look good.

I think that
I did really well today.

Not to toot my own horn.

It's all going the right
way for me right now.

I think who struggled
the most is Lillie-Jo.

She looked amazing
but I think it lacked in, like,

entertainment value.

Lillie-Jo as well,
she struggled, bless her.

I love Lillie-Jo and I'm
gutted to see her, like, struggling.

Despite looking chilled, Okeam's
video is still not posted.

Okeam! Can we see it?
Let me try and do it now.

I managed to get it done in the end,
not exactly how I wanted it.

You have to perfect them
with the timing of the music, which

I wasn't able to do because I'm used
to editing on different platforms.

Let's just hope that it's good
enough for them.

# What you want, what you want

# I know what you want

# I can tell by the way you look

# And they... #

What was that?

The song was doing one thing

and his lips were doing something
totally different.

Yeah, it was...
What the hell was that?

I like it when you say
that and they're not here.

This was a really big
opportunity to show me,

Jason and Frank who
they really are as artists.

This is about personality,
this is about engagement

and this is about us
warming to them.

Back at Icon Studios, the artists
have gathered for feedback

and to find out who
is in danger of being dropped.

I wouldn't say
scared, but I'm not too confident

about the challenge at all.

Yeah, I'm feeling a bit vulnerable
as well, I'm not going to lie.

TikTok's not my strong suit.

Hiya!

Yes, guys!

How we feeling?
All right, yeah.

Oh, you're a bit quieter today.

I took a risk,
but I think it paid off.

Charlie, you think your TikTok
challenge is going to save you?

Erm, I hope so.

I've brought out my funny,
confident personality a lot more.

Now, for Jason, Frank and Becky...

..to deliver their verdict.

The social challenge was
a lot of fun to watch.

I think some of you nailed it.

Erm, some of you didn't do so well.

There were three
that I thought were great.

But I want to speak
specifically about Dylan.

It felt like it was funny, it was
creative, but it was subtle.

And to me,
that encapsulates who you are.

I'm feeling good,
but it's feeling quite intense.

The vibe has slightly changed
from, you know, we're all friends

here, to absolutely,
"Oh, you know, people are leaving."

Barry.
God!

You know what? I know you have

similar feelings to me
about social media.

You played to your
strengths, you were hilarious.

Oh, thank you so much!
I literally have not slept.

Whoo!

I'm very happy with the result
I got from them and I'm just...

I can breathe, I can relax
and know that that is all good now.

Emelle, you had a viral element
that people can actually take

the video and do it themselves.

And it's also a question that
I've had since I was a kid.

Like, "How do you have an accent

"when you speak but
when you sing...?" So...

And now you understand why I don't!

I was recording my TikTok first.

In an aeroplane,

you put your own mask on before you
help the person next to you.

Whether that be your own child.

So, I am going to do me...

..and it is sad to see people go,

but people have to go.

So, while those were three
very good ones, unfortunately,

we had some pretty bad ones as well.

Okeam, your video didn't quite
hit in the right way.

I kind of saw what you were
trying to do,

but it didn't quite get there.

Charlie. So, from your initial
performance, I questioned your

artistry and I hoped that I would

get a better feel for
who you were...

Mm-hm.
..when you did your TikTok video.

Mm-hm.
I didn't.

I still don't understand
who you are.

A lot of my stuff is getting lost
in translation with Jason and Frank.

I think I haven't really shown
myself as an artist properly.

Xyzelle...

I understood that you were
kind of having fun

and you kind of made fun
out of yourself.

And that's important,
to be able to make...

..take the piss out of yourself,
right?

Is that the way you say it, Becky?
Yes, well done!

Take the piss out of yourself.
Make a Brit out of you yet!

Take the piss out of yourself?
Is that...?

Yeah, you can
take the piss out of yourself.

Take the piss out of yourself.
There you go.

Take the piss out of yourself.
All right.

With that being said,
I thought this would be

something that you excelled at.

The video itself wasn't very good.

That's their opinion.

But I definitely feel like
the judges

just isn't my target audience.

Lillie-Jo, I...

You're such a lovely, warm person.

I just didn't see that warm
person in your video.

I was trying to be more,
like, bad b*tch.

I saw what you were trying to do.

It just didn't quite
get there for me.

What I was trying to do
was show the beast

that Jason said that
he wanted to see.

But I guess that kind of
messed me up a little bit,

because it wasn't really me.

One person will be dropped today.

But, fortunately, we'll be taking
both challenges into consideration.

The two that are in the bottom...

..are Xyzelle...

..and Lillie-Jo.

So, I want you guys to get prepared.

You have to sing to save your a*s.

What did everyone think
of the judges' decision

on that TikTok challenge?

You can't say that Jason doesn't
Yeah.

Cos he's like the fourth most
followed person on TikTok!
Oh, no, I'm not saying...

I'm not saying he don't know
what he's talking about.

I'm just saying, there's
Yeah.

I think what I would say about yours
is it kind of felt a bit done.

Like, I feel like I've seen that
a million times before

and it didn't really feel
super original.

It was such a biased comment
from Barry.

You're not the judge, so

why are you putting that out there?
Do you know what I mean?

# Oooh... #

Xyzelle and Lillie-Jo now prepare

for what could be their last
performance in Project Icon.

Once they perform a cover of
their choice for the judges,

one will stay and
one will be dropped.

I'm looking for that presence.
I'm looking for that confidence.

I want you to show me why
you don't deserve to go home.

I'm going to try my hardest to win.

I think I've got a good chance.

I'm looking for star quality,
and I'm looking for talent.

I'm looking for who can
cope with those nerves

and still put on
a great performance.

I'm here and I'm ready.

You don't always have to
fit into a box

that other people have put you in.

No matter what you've been through,

you can always dream big
and you can always go and get it.

I want you to show me
how bad you want to win.

I want you to show me
that insatiable desire

to win this competition.

You're singing to save your a*s.

My biggest fear would be

not living up to the potential
that I know that I have.

Xyzelle, showtime.

Let's get it.

# Something told me

# It was over

# Yeah

# When I saw you and her

# Talkin', yeah, yeah

# So you see

# I love you so much

# Well, I don't wanna watch you
leave me, baby

# Most of all, I just don't

# I just don't wanna be free, no

# I was just

# I was just sittin' here
thinkin'... #

I was really surprised
with Xyzelle's song choice,

but now she's up there, she's really
bringing it and it sounds great.

# Yeah, yeah

# Revealed the tears
that was on my face

# Yeah, yeah

# And baby
Baby

# Baby, I'd rather be blind

# No

# Than to see you walk away

# Than walk away from me. #

I love Xyzelle. I love her energy,
I love her confidence.

She's 21, she's got confidence
like that. I wish I had that at 21.

Thank you very much, Xyzelle.

Lillie-Jo, you're up.

I do think I've got what it takes
to be the next global icon,

but I'd love to get to the point
where I can support my mum,

my dad, my friends.

I'm going to try my hardest to win.

It's going to be hard,
but it'll be worth it.

Hey.

It's very, very nerve-racking.

The first performance, my...my
throat literally seized up.

So, hopefully, that does not
happen this time.

# Slow down, you crazy child

# You're so ambitious for a juvenile

# But then, if you're so smart

# Tell me, why are you still
so afraid?

# Slow down, you're doin' fine

# You can't be everything
you wanna be before your time

# Although it's so romantic
on the borderline

# Tonight, tonight... #

Watching Lillie sing, there's
a lack of stage presence there

and I think it's these nerves
that have just got to her,

and I just want to shake her.
I want to shake and say,

"Get out of your head. Like,
just sing the song and sing it."

# ..You've got your passion
You've got your pride

# But don't you know that
only fools are satisfied?

# Dream on, but don't imagine
they'll all come true

# Ooh

# When will you realise

# Vienna waits for you? #

Thank you very much.

All right, thank you, Lillie-Jo.
Thank you, Xyzelle.

You guys can return to the studio

so we can talk about
your performances

and see who stays and who goes.

This is what the industry's about.
Right?

I just remember doing this myself,
and getting voted off myself.

Look what wonders that's done
for you, though.

It's done amazing stuff for me.

It didn't feel very good
Yeah.

What I'm looking for
ain't got to be perfect.

It's just got to be special.

I thought Xyzelle was good.

She definitely sings better than
I thought.

Yeah. I like Xyzelle.

I thought she made that song
totally contemporary.

I mean, she is more of like a
pop kind of an artist, and so maybe

she should have chosen a song
that was more along those lines.

That was overwhelming,

intense and emotional.

Um...

A few tears snuck out of my eyes.

Barry, I don't think I've
heard you this quiet, ever.

I think it's hard because
me and Lillie have become so close,

the idea of her going home
is quite scary.

Lillie-Jo doesn't back herself.

Her tone is beautiful,
her pitch is beautiful,

she was able to deliver the message.

But when the song stays like this,

you're just going to be nervous
the whole time

because there's never a moment
where you got to put on.

It was a safe option
for an unsafe situation.

I really don't like this bit.

I hate to break this to you guys,

but I've got sound check
in about two hours

Mm.

So I've got to leave the
Hmm!

But don't worry, I'll take the
All good, all good!

Good luck with that, though.
Have a great...

Have a good show.
Hope it goes well!

The judges have made their decision,

but first, I have some news
to deliver to the group.

So, as you can see,
Lillie-Jo is not here.

There's been a medical issue.

She's all right,
she just needs some rest.

But the medics have decided
that it's best

that she doesn't carry on
filming today.

Before all of that, the judges
had made their decision anyway,

so they're going to tell us

who's staying and
who's being dropped.

Hello, hello, hello.

Xyzelle, can you please stand up?

Xyzelle, I feel like you picked a
song that my grandmother would sing.

Uh, just not a great song
choice for you.

But you showed a different side
of you today.

I saw some style.

I saw some stage presence.

Whereas Lillie-Jo,
she told the story really well.

We feel that there's something
Yeah.

..that we just haven't seen yet.
Yeah.

I want to be honest, I'm looking
for somebody to sign to my label.

I'm looking for somebody that can
be commercially successful today.

Xyzelle...

..you're staying with us.

But, Xyzelle...

..you have to step it up.
Very fierce competition here.

Today really put everything in
perspective. This is real.

We are cutting people.
We're dropping people.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime
opportunity. Act like it.

Get some rest
and I'll see you guys soon.

All right.

Judges sending home Lillie-Jo
over Xyzelle,

some people were not
happy about that.

Barry,
what do you make of that decision?

It's the decision they made,

that they felt is the correct one.

It's intense, so there's no time
for being yes-men and smiling

and saying this is amazing when it,
you know... It wasn't good.

Personally, I think Lillie-Jo
had a lot more to show,

and obviously me and her
have become really close.

It's what happens. This is
the industry. It's cut-throat.

I didn't come here
to impress Barry.

I think everyone can see that
there's an underdog rising storyline

happening with me, and, like,
do you know, like,

I know I sparkle
when I'm in the room.

# Oh, girl, you're shining

# You know you're my diamond

#

Going home on the first outing
cannot feel good,

but it's a tough industry.

I'm hoping that this can be
a jump starter for their career.

Good, thank you.
Good, good.

I'm actually curious of
what happened.

I had a seizure.

I'm epileptic, I've been epileptic
since I was seven.

Mm.

Just being on your show is
brilliant.

It's an opportunity
that I didn't have before

and that I'm really thankful
to be on.

I feel like I didn't have a
lot of time to show you

everything that I was able to give.

We believe that you have
something special,

but I want it to come out
every single time.

You just need to connect all the
dots and I think you'll be fine.

I wish you the best of luck.

I'm rooting for you and I can't wait
to see the magic that you make.

Thank you.

Lillie-Jo has gone.

Now eight remain.

Next time...

sh*t is about to get real.
..the competition heats up...

She's stressing all of us out.

# Na na-na-na da-da. #

You got the words wrong.

What the actual f*ck?

..and three of the artists will be
at risk of going home.

At the end of the day,
we have to think about ourselves.

The next artist to be dropped is...

Cos yous two are getting
pretty close, aren't you?