Popstars - First Episode

Television (Full Length) – 1999

The search for a New Zealand Spice Girls is underway in the first episode of this pioneering reality series. Manager Peter Urlich (formerly of Th' Dudes) and record company executive Mark Tierney (ex-Strawpeople) hold public auditions to find an all-female pop group for their record deal and TV series. The good, the bad and the unfortunate are out in full force. After an exhaustive selection process, Urlich and Tierney whittle down the talent to 15 hopefuls. The format for the show sold to multiple countries.

Only five months ago, or four months ago, they came together as five fresh-faced young girls and that first day they looked at me, with their big eyes looking up and they said: ‘OK Peter, turn us into pop stars!
– Popstars trainer Peter Urlich, from the series' final episode