TikTok, iHeartRadio Announce Singing Competition Finalists.

The finalists of the “Next Up: LIVE Music” singing competition, conducted by TikTok in conjunction with iHeartRadio, have been announced, with the winner to be named at the closing of the 12 finalists’ live performances before fans and industry experts, scheduled for Sept. 26 at the iHeartRadio Los Angeles Theater.

Finalists were chosen among thousands of participants in the competition who’d posted performances on the TikTok social media platform since July. iHeart CHR102.7 KIIS FM Los Angeles on-air host EJ and MTV “Wild ’N Out” host Justina Valentine teamed up with fans to determine the final 12.

The “Next up: LIVE Music” finalists include singer-songwriters Kira Lise and Michael Anderson and freestyler Duece Flame, from Los Angeles; Jade Million, Sammy Arriaga and Mariah Faith, from Nashville; DAMOYEE from Dallas, and The Cyrilia from Amarillo, TX; singer-songwriters Cesia and Keren Machado from Sarasota, FL, and rapper Kozarkane from Delray Beach, FL; and alternative pop artists Samantha Davis from Bellville, OH.

Judging the finalists will be Valentine, Chaka Khan lead guitarist Jon Dretto, iHeartRadio Chief Programming Officer Tom Poleman, and KIIS FM Program Director Beata Murphy. The Sept. 26 finale will be shown on TikTok at 10pm (ET) / 7pm (PT).

“TikTok is such a powerful platform for discovery, and iHeartRadio is where those songs reach the masses and truly become hits,” Poleman says. “We’re excited to give these 12 finalists that opportunity! My fellow judges and I will have our work cut out for us to determine a winner.”

TikTok Head of LIVE Operations, Americas Shen Gao adds, “Seeing the incredible Fan Club and community support these finalists have built through TikTok LIVE is truly inspiring. Together with iHeartRadio, we’re excited to elevate their creativity and talent while transforming discovery into a shared, real-time experience on stage.”