The competition has reached a new level, now that we have our top 12 contestants. This week, we get the chance to learn more about each of our contestants and the different reasons they're competing in Afghan Star.

First we visit Rabiullah Behzad, who has 10 years of experience working in music. He enjoys performing for his family and friends, who have always supported him in his musical endeavors. Khoshbu Ahmadi, who has a young son, lived in Iran for five years where she was not able to pursue her musical career, and is thrilled to have the chance to participate in Afghan Star. Sohrab Eliar, 21 years old, came up in a musical family that played together and encouraged him to pursue music as well. Harun Popalzai, 27, feels like he is singing to his whole country by competing on Afghan Star.

Hosam Farzan teaches English and plays football when he's not practicing his singing. Harun Anvari from Herat believes that he can express his emotions through singing on the show. His father, now deceased, was one of his biggest supporters in pursuing music. Dawood Pajman, from Badakhshan, tells us how the show has changed him from a simple, unknown person to someone with a following in Afghanistan and with a bright musical future. Anahita Olfat's competitive nature was honed in her years as a professional athlete, practicing martial arts and gymnastics.

She intends to work on her skills in playing instruments alongside her singing. Nazir Heydari from Herat wants to be a universally known and popular singer, and sees Afghan Star as his chance. Javad Hossainzadeh, 25, says he likes to sing because it brings a smile to his audiences. Nayeb Nayab, like many of our contestants, was exposed to music first through his family. Arash Barez has his own studio but said that before Afghan Star, he didn't prioritize music, instead focusing on his studies. Now he has chosen to share his solo hobby with all of Afghanistan.