Think American Idol, But Built for the Algorithm.
TikTok is turning up the volume on its music ambitions with Next Up: Live Music, a new American Idol-style singing competition hosted entirely within the app. Launched in partnership with iHeartRadio, the competition is open to aspiring U.S.-based artists and aims to elevate emerging voices through a mix of in-app performances and real-time community engagement.
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Running from July 28 to late September, Next Up invites participants to perform via livestream for a shot at stardom with each round judged by a combination of TikTok engagement metrics (likes, shares, comments, etc.) and input from industry judges. Fans don’t just get to watch; they help shape the outcome.
According to TikTok:
“The artists who receive the highest number of likes, views, comments, shares, and overall support during their live performances, along with strong feedback from the judges, will advance to the next round. Every view, interaction, and score counts.”
The multi-stage competition includes live-streamed auditions, semi-finals, and a grand finale event at the iHeartRadio Theater in Los Angeles on September 26. That final stage offers a major platform for creators ready to take their music careers to the next level, but entry doesn’t come easy.
You’ll Need More Than Just a Mic and a Dream.
To be eligible, participants must:
- Have at least 50,000 TikTok followers with strong engagement
- Own the rights to at least one original song
- Not be signed to a major record label
In short: this isn’t for beginners. TikTok wants creators who’ve already built an audience and demonstrated some staying power, no bots or ghost followers allowed.
Music is already a massive part of TikTok’s DNA, it’s where sounds go viral, where unknown artists break through, and where fans actively shape trends. With Next Up, TikTok is formalizing that dynamic into a creator-first pipeline that blends performance, engagement, and audience co-signs into one cultural moment.
It also gives TikTok and iHeartRadio a fresh way to tap into the next generation of musical talent before anyone else does.
ou can learn more about TikTok’s “Next Up” event, and how to participate, here.
The Road to the iHeartRadio Theater
The competition will stream live on TikTok in three distinct phases, giving fans a front-row seat to follow, engage with, and support their favorite emerging artists:
- Auditions (July 28 to August 11): Open to all eligible creators. Top 50 selected
- Semi-Finals (August 25 to 29): The Top 50 compete for a spot in the Top 12
- Finale (September 26): The Top 12 perform live at the iHeartRadio Theater in Burbank, California
