Audible has revealed the judges for Breakthrough, the first-ever singing competition series developed exclusively as a podcast. Grammy-winning artists Sara Bareilles and Kelly Rowland will serve as judges and mentors, guiding the performances and artistic development of five contestants throughout the season. The nine-episode season debuts June 1, exclusively on Audible.
The unique aspect of the audio-only show is that the contestants will never be seen, allowing listeners to connect with them solely through their music. Hosted by Grammy and Tony Award-winning Daveed Diggs, the show will feature industry experts who will provide guidance to the contestants.
“I am so thrilled to be joining this group of wildly talented people for Breakthrough!” said, Sara Bareilles. “I love that the creative team is on the same journey as our audience – getting to know these artists without seeing them – developing a sense of their artistry through only their music and storytelling. These five incredible souls showed up to each challenge with courage and vulnerability that invited us all into a remarkably intimate space, and I learned so much from them. No matter where you are in your career it is always inspiring to witness someone reach for the deepest parts of themselves and be willing to share that tender space.”
“With our long-standing, highly popular Words + Music series and our newer Origins series, Audible has created a unique auditory experience for our listeners. Breakthrough pushes the boundaries of audio even further and invites music lovers to participate in the first of its kind, audio-only singing competition,” said Head of Audible Studios Zola Mashariki. “We are excited to have the immensely talented Kelly Rowland, Sara Bareilles, and Daveed Diggs guide the contestants as they hone their musical abilities and learn from some of the top artists in the music business.”
