BBC Three has ordered Project Icon, a new 6-part music competition from MultiStory Media and ITV America, featuring Jason Derulo, Becky Hill and Derulo’s long-term manager Frank Harris as mentors.
The series, which was created by Derulo and Harris in collaboration with MultiStory, invites eight aspiring recording artists to compete against each other to see whether they have got what it takes to transform from a bedroom singer into an all-round music star in just a few weeks.
BBC Radio 1 presenter, Jordan North will come on board to host the series, alongside UK pop sensation, Becky Hill as the show’s third mentor. Hill, with Derulo and Harris, will mentor the newcomers and put them through their paces with a number of real world challenges. The artists will all have a track record of posting about their music exploits on their social platforms but they haven’t broken into the mainstream, yet!
Each week someone will be eliminated before the final three go through to a finale.
At the end of the series, the winner will receive a US music deal with Jason’s label Future History, a collaboration with Jason Derulo, and a live performance at BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend in 2023.
Jason Derulo, says: “The world of music has changed and being a superstar with staying power today requires a lot more than just singing. Project Icon is the first TV show that will challenge contestants on all realistic skills an artist today should have for a real shot at being an Icon.”
Becky Hill, says: “As somebody with first-hand experience of a TV talent show, I know the struggles and stigma that surround trying to make it in the music industry. I want to change that narrative for other artists and show them that success in the music industry is about talent, but also and mostly about hard work. I feel like Project Icon is a bootcamp for artists, showing them the fun parts of this life, but also the real work that goes in to becoming a true icon. This is the training I wish I had all of those years ago.”
Frank Harris, says: “We couldn’t be more thrilled to be in partnership with the BBC and MultiStory Media on this exciting and unique project. There is so much incredible talent in the UK and we look forward to finding and creating the next generation of musical superstars.”
Host, Jordan North, says: “I’m well excited to be the host of Project Icon, there is so much fantastic talent in the UK! At Radio 1, it’s no secret that we love to champion and find fresh musical talent, so I can’t wait to be part of show that is hoping to uncover the next big music star.”
Fiona Campbell, Controller, BBC Three, says; “This new series has all the ingredients we look for in a show for BBC Three. Big talent, super creative individuals and challenges that take inspiration from real-life trends and amplifies it. We have high hopes for it an we’ll be looking for aspiring artists from all over the country.”
Ana de Moraes, MultiStory Media’s Chief Creative Officer, says: “It’s been fantastic to work with Derulo and Harris from the very early stages of development of this idea, and help turn their vision into reality by bringing together a first in class production team to deliver the series for BBC Three. We hope it will be the next turn of the dial in talent shows.”
Project Icon is a MultiStory Media and ITV America production for BBC Three and iPlayer. It was commissioned by Kate Phillips, BBC Director of Unscripted and Fiona Campbell, Controller, BBC Three. The Commissioning Editors for the BBC are Neil McCallum and Jamie Dodds. The Executive Producers for MultiStory Media are Simone Haywood and Tom Whitrow. International distribution is handled by ITV Studios.
Jon Creamer
Share this story
