Sing: The Talented Furry

Prince sighed and leaned back slightly in his chair, his fingers absently drumming against his knee when the judges, host, and production crew, accompanied by multiple cameras, casually strolled in.

The room fell silent instantly as every contestant held their breath, anticipating what was to come.

With his signature charming smile, Kielben, the host, began, "Congratulations on making it this far, aspiring musicians and stars!"

"Standing here today, having been chosen from thousands, is no small feat. You should all be proud of yourselves."

He paused briefly before delivering the bombshell. "But don't get too comfortable, because the real competition starts now. From here on, only 80 of you will make it to the next round out of the 200 present."

A wave of nervous energy rippled through the room. Audible gulps and hushed whispers filled the air as the cameramen zoomed in on anxious faces, amplifying the tension.

Anos, the toughest judge, added sharply, "This was never going to be easy. Remember, only one contestant will win in the end and claim the grand prize."

The $1,000,000 prize was no joke, and judging by the determined looks now appearing on the contestants' faces, everyone was aiming for the top.

"But don't forget," Kitty chimed in with a warm smile, drawing every eye to her, "the second and third runners-up will also be rewarded. Even if you don't win the grand prize, you'll still have a shot at something big. And who knows? A record label might just pick you up."

The second-place prize of $500,000 and third place's $300,000 were impressive enough to further ignite the contestants' competitive spirits. For many, this competition was their shot at a long-awaited breakthrough.

"Now that the stakes are clear," Dexter said, clapping his hands, "let's move on to the theme for the next round."

A hush fell over the room, followed by a buzz of whispered speculations. In previous seasons, this stage had featured formats like Team Knockouts, Three-Way Knockouts, and Bootcamp. Contestants nervously wondered how they'd form the perfect teams if similar rounds returned.

"Originally," Dexter began calmly, "this was supposed to be a Duet Knockout Round."

A few contestants sucked in sharp breaths, but Dexter, unbothered by their reactions, continued with a rare amused smile that instantly put everyone on edge.

"But this season, we're introducing a brand-new theme," he announced. "We're calling it… The Blind Auditions!"

A wave of mixed relief, curiosity, and unease washed over the room.

"So, what are Blind Auditions?" Kitty picked up the explanation. "Simply put, while you perform, your identity will be hidden from us judges—though not from the audience. We'll judge solely based on your vocal talent, eliminating any bias."

Anos added, "But there's more to it than that, and we'll show you exactly how it works."

He gestured to the production staff, who played a pre-recorded video on the large screen.

The video showcased the competition hall, its vast space filled with empty seats for a thousand spectators. Bright lights illuminated the stage as a crew member—pretending to be a nervous contestant—stepped up to perform.

Facing the stage were three large, modern chairs with bold red buttons on the armrests—each occupied by a crew member standing in for the judges. The twist? All three chairs were turned away from the stage.

As the mock contestant performed (badly), the judges remained still, unresponsive. Once the song ended, the chairs automatically swiveled around, surprising the real contestants watching the video. With harsh critiques, the "judges" eliminated the performer on the spot, sending them offstage dejectedly.

The contestants watching in the hall gulped, realizing the brutal honesty they'd face.

The video then showed another mock contestant singing beautifully. One judge immediately hit the red button, turning their chair around and lighting up a glowing sign reading, "I WANT YOU."

As the singer nailed a challenging section, the other two judges also hit their buttons, turning around and lighting up their signs. After the performance, the "judges" warmly praised the contestant and advanced them to the next round.

The video ended, leaving contestants buzzing with thoughts.

Dexter clarified, "If even one of us likes your performance, you'll advance—and that judge will become your coach. If two or three judges turn around, you'll get to choose your coach."

"But," Anos interjected bluntly, "if no one presses their button, you'll be eliminated on the spot." His intense gaze sent chills through the room. "As for why we'll be coaching you... well, you'll find out soon enough."

Kitty clapped, adding, "This round, you'll have full freedom to choose your song. Take the rest of the week to prepare. Your performance dates will be shared with you soon, so make every second count."

Dexter's voice cut through the tension. "Judging will be strict this round. Only 80 will move forward—maybe even fewer. Bring your A-game."

The contestants, wide-eyed, felt the weight of reality settling in. This was a competition like no other.

With that, the judges strolled out, leaving the room abuzz with anticipation.

Kielben, along with the production crew, stepped up. "Buses are waiting outside to take you to the reserved hotels. More details will be shared once you arrive. Good luck!"

As the cameras rolled, capturing every nervous expression, the contestants realized—this was it. The journey had truly begun.