TikTok is teaming up with iHeartRadio to launch Next Up: LIVE Music, a new singing competition powered entirely by TikTok LIVE, designed to uncover and elevate the next wave of emerging musical talent. Officially kicking off July 28 and running through September, the interactive contest invites fans to watch, engage with, and even help decide who advances — all leading up to a grand finale at the iHeartRadio Theater in Los Angeles on September 26.
The competition puts the power of discovery in the hands of the community, blending fan interaction with expert judging. Aspiring artists will move through three phases: Auditions (July 28–August 11), where the Top 50 are selected; Semi-Finals (August 25–29), narrowing down to 12 finalists; and the Finale, a live showcase in front of a national audience at the iconic venue in Burbank, California.
Contestants will be judged on their real-time TikTok LIVE performances, with advancement based on a combination of likes, views, shares, comments, and judges’ scores. Every interaction counts, giving fans a front-row seat and direct influence over the outcome.
“TikTok LIVE gives fans the power to engage directly, support their favorite performers, and truly shape their journey to success,” said Shen Gao, Head of LIVE Operations, Americas at TikTok. “Together with iHeartRadio, Next Up: LIVE Music builds on our legacy of discovering and launching artists by turning it into a shared, real-time experience.”
iHeartMedia’s Chief Programming Officer Tom Poleman echoed the excitement. “TikTok and iHeartRadio are powerful engines for artist discovery. This partnership creates a direct pipeline from bedroom performances to national stages — and we have the reach to take these artists to the masses.”
The competition is open to U.S.-based artists 18 and older who meet the following requirements: at least 50,000 TikTok followers with active engagement, one original song they own the rights to, comfort performing live, and either be unsigned or have label clearance to compete.
Participants will also benefit from livestream training, performance visibility, and opportunities to grow their audience on one of music’s most influential platforms. It’s more than a contest — it’s a career-building springboard.
From breakout hits to viral sensations, TikTok has become a proven launchpad for artists across every genre. Now, with Next Up: LIVE Music, the platform is creating a new path for rising stars to step into the spotlight and connect with fans in real time.
Follow the competition on TikTok LIVE and @iHeartRadio to watch the journey unfold.
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