STARMANIA Staffel 3 Sendung vom 12.01.2007

Starmania is one of the most successful shows ever broadcast by the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation (ORF). The third season premiered on October 6, 2006. Arabella Kiesbauer returned as host, and Hannes Eder once again served as a judge after each Starmania performance. This season began with two groups of nine contestants each (selected from approximately 2,500 applicants). The first group started on October 6 and performed for three weeks. Each week, one contestant was eliminated by viewer voting. The second group started on October 27 and also performed for three weeks. During these six weeks, the following contestants were eliminated: Dagmar Hinterer (eliminated on October 6, 2006), Tanja Dickbauer (eliminated on October 13, 2006), René Hemetsberger (eliminated on October 20, 2006), Monika Ivkic (eliminated on October 27, 2006), Simone Mörz (eliminated on November 3, 2006), and Radina Veliova (eliminated on November 10, 2006). Natalie Schneider voluntarily withdrew on October 31, 2006, due to a kidney infection, on the advice of her doctors, and was replaced by Lois Zarculea. After six weeks, there were two groups with only six contestants each. These two groups were combined to form the final group of twelve participants. From then on, the "Starmaniacs" competed for first place. Each week, two contestants were eliminated, but one could be brought back into the team using a "Friendship Ticket." This option ended once only six contestants remained. In the final show on January 26, 2007, three finalists faced the viewers' vote. First, the third-place finisher was determined, and then the two remaining contestants competed for a record deal with Universal Music Austria. Nadine Beiler won.