'You’d sit at home watching American Idol or X Factor or whatever and just pinch yourself thinking about how we were the first.'

'We experienced everything they did – contracts doing miraculous disappearing acts, overnight stays in shifty motel rooms, sold-out concerts with screaming fans.'

The most anticipated local reality show of 2021 has crowned its Popstar and after a rocky road, it feels just right.

They're already on their way to being Popstars. So how are their tunes?

After a faltering start, Popstars is now the show that the audience deserves.

Video | José Barbosa looks back wistfully at the Flatmates/Popstars/Celebrity Treasure Island era and wonders: can we ever get that magic back?

It might have the same name, but Popstars is nothing like the original show. And that's a problem.

The programmes were the same. But the ads weren’t.

It’s been 22 years since Popstars changed reality television forever.

With Popstars returning to our screens tonight, we turn back the clock and relive some of New Zealand’s most memorable talent show stars.

Ahead of the return of Popstars next week, we asked Megan Alatini and Erica Takacs from TrueBliss to take a walk down memory lane. 

For over 16 years one of New Zealand's greatest trans-Tasman triumphs has been overshadowed by one of our most crushing rugby losses.

As we come to the end of NZ Music Month, Joanna McLeod remembers the most iconic times that NZ music weaseled its way onto international prime time television.

In the wake of the X Factor NZ finale, Claire Adamson rewatches Popstars – and discovers much more compelling insights into the world of manufactured superstardom.