This week, Afghans all over the world take the chance to audition for Afghan Star, by sending in videos of their singing through the internet. Out of dozens of submissions, ten make it onto a second round, from which the judges must pick one person to actually compete.
Kaveh Akhgar stumbles by choosing to recite a poem instead of singing a song. The young Laila Ahmadi from Iran wowed the judges with her voice though they worry she may be too young. She sings in the second Internet round but it doesn't prove enough for the judges Najib Jooya, who sings in Farsi and Hindi in Canada, pleases the judges and passes to the second Internet round, where he chooses to sing with a pop piano accompaniment.
Ahmad Shahmiri from America tells the judges that he always watched Afghan Star and has a dream of one day participating. Ustad Shahla says he is an example of people who use their body to sing more than their voice, and doesn't think he should pass. Our host Mostafa speaks via Skype to a few of the Internet candidates and breaks the news of their passing or not, a tense moment for all! In the end, Latif Attaei, who lives with his three boys in Canada, is the favorite of the judges from the worldwide candidates, and will make it to the next round.
Ahmad Khaled from Canada - doesn't pass
Kaveh Akhgar from Naravi - recites a poem instead of singing a song, doesn't pass Laila Ahmadi from Iran, doesn't pass Najib Jooya from Canada - doesn't pass Ahmad Shahmiri from America - doesn't pass Ehsan Allah Ahmadi - Australia - doesn't pass Abdul Raouf from Australia - doesn't pass Syed Mansour from Canada - doesn't pass Latif Attaei, Canada - passes Navid Miyakhai, Pakistan - doesn't pass Ahmad Jalal, Holland - sings with traditional percussion accompaniment - doesn't pass Javid Mansouri, America, doesn't pass Yama Sedighi, Sweden, doesn't pass Amir Norozi, Sweden - sings a catchy tune along with acoustic guitar, doesn't pass Fardin Hassani, Russia - was not able to send in his video as he was injured and had to undergo surgery, so he sings via Skype, doesn't pass!