Call for auditions: Idols SA 2021

This year, Idols SA will feature a completely different audition format due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with participants submitting 30-second video clips of them singing.

The auditions will take place from 29 January to 14 February. The online audition platform will open on 29 January at 9am.

Rules and application process

• You must be between 16 and 30 years of age on the day of your audition.
• You must be a citizen or permanent resident of South Africa and in possession of a valid South African ID document.
• You may not have an existing recording or management deal.
• The online audition process will be judged by members of the Idols SA music team and judging panel.
• The judges’ decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
• A video must only be 30 seconds in duration.
• A video must be of the entrant singing only. No talking will be considered.
• The audition may be used on TV even if the entrant does not get a call back to audition for the judges.
• Online judging will commence on 1 February and conclude on 1 March.

The full terms and conditions are available here.

Entrants need to have the following before applying:

• Full name(s).
• South African ID number.
• Contact phone number.
• WhatsApp number.
• Contact email address.
• 30-second video clip of the audition (singing only and no talking).

What happens after submission?

• Once an audition has been submitted, an automated email response will be sent confirming that the audition has been received.
• Contestants will receive a further email informing them as to whether their audition was successful or not.
• Should an online audition be successful, entrants will be invited to audition in person in front of the Idols judges.

“The current status quo does not allow us to do things the traditional way,” Idols SA said. “Therefore, to keep up with the spirit of staying apart so we can be together again, the Idols SA auditions this year will deviate from the culture of hosting auditions in four big cities, namely Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban and Cape Town.

“For Season 17, there is a positive aspect in the restrictions that come with COVID-19. All eligible hopefuls from all corners of our country can enter without worrying about getting to the audition's venue.”

View the original call here.