If only the stage design did not look so wide and empty; and if only the two presenters, Chris and Jessica, did not appear so unprepared, perhaps the launch of the Stars of the Future music talent reality show would have passed as flawless as the singing that went on.

Only ten minutes into the singing session, the entire auditorium was going gaga over the performance of the 12 young men and women who had been carefully selected over the last several weeks to compete for an opportunity to arrive at stardom.

Even before the contest segment had taken off, the 12 had together performed Kirk Franklin’s Lean on Me and were simply amazing. But when they stepped up on stage individually to sing, it was something else.

First there was Benjamin Akill, brother of last year’s top six finalist, Salimi Akill whose mere appearance on stage attracted loud cheers from the audience, even before he started singing Westlife’s More Than Words.

Then again there was Fredrica Sarfo-Asante who took the audience by surprise when in an unblemished smooth voice she sang the very same song that awarded Fantasia the title – American Idol 2004, I Believe in Thee.

Fredrica is a living example of the old adage that says “If you try and you do not succeed, try again”. Last year, this same sweet voiced lady was in the maiden Stars competition but unfortunately did not win the title - her reason for trying again.

More surprises were unveiled by the rest of the finalists; Noble, Justice, Twum Barima, Clare, Ishmael, Betty, Daniel, Isaac, Ernest (West African Idol top 24 finalist) and Sandra (Top 80 West African Idol finalist) when they took turns to thrill the audience.

Like the star that she is, the performance of Irene Logan, the winner of last year’s competition was a true reflection of the kind of talent that Stars of the Future seeks to unveil.

From now till the early part of August, each of these 12 finalists will be featured on GTV and Metro TV to begin the search for the next “Irene Logan”.

Whoever emerges the 2007 music star, will drive away a sleek saloon car presented by Universal Motors Ltd, a recording contract and other attractive prizes.

Each week will see the awarding of the Strongest Voice on Stars of the Future, the Smoothest Voice and the Areeba Moment of the competition. These awards will precede the weekly eviction sessions that begins next week Sunday on TV.

On GTV, the series airs on Sundays, 3:30pm - 4:30pm, Tuesdays, 9:30am - 10:30am (repeat), Wednesdays - 8:30pm - 9:00pm and Fridays, 8:30pm - 9:00pm. Then again on Metro TV, Stars of the Future airs at 7pm on Saturdays and a repeat on Mondays at 9am – 10am.

Stars of the Future is another exclusive concept by Charterhouse and sponsored by Areeba, Universal Motors Ltd, Close – up, LG and Castle Milk Stout.