Ten candidates, aged between 18 and 35, live together in a specially designed academy. Here they are trained for several weeks by a team of professionals, whose ultimate goal is to create a new singing star. As a real-life soap opera, Star Academy takes viewers behind the scenes of the recording industry as the wannabes receive their training by an incredible team of teachers. National and international celebrities also drop in to share their experiences in the students' quest for stardom. The participants are filmed day and night. At the end of the week, contestants have to face a prime time show, where they sing the song they've prepared as well as recapping their trials and tribulations at the Academy from the past week. The live show features special guest stars, with whom the contestants have the opportunity to sing. Based on the judges' verdicts and viewer voting, the weakest contestant is dropped. The eventual winner is awarded a record deal and a passport to fame and stardom. ...