News May 6, 2019

New host Ricki-Lee on the success of ‘Australia’s Got Talent’

Ricki-Lee Coulter will host this year’s season of Australia’s Got Talent, Seven Network announced on Sunday.

It airs on Seven later in the year after a two-year stint at Nine where it pulled 1.39 million and 908,000 for its last two grand finals.

The series offers $100,000 in prize money.

“I’m so excited to be hosting the show,” says the 33-year old who has topped the ARIA Single Chart.

Her best performing singles on the TMN Hot 100 were 2005’s ‘Sunshine’ (#9) and 2007’s ‘Can’t Touch’ (#4).

“It’s gonna be so much fun! I’m a big fan and knew it was something I’d really enjoy.

“Not only do I get a front row seat to watch the best talent Australia has to offer, but I also know what it feels like to stand side of stage waiting to step out and do a performance that potentially could change your life.”

Last week, one-time Pussycat Doll singer and dancer Nicole Scherzinger, My Kitchen Rules’ Manu Feidel, actor and comedian Shane Jacobsen and stage and screen identity Lucy Durack were part of the 2019 judging panel.

Chart-topper @TheRickiLee will host AUSTRALIA’S GOT TALENT 🙌 She joins judges @NicoleScherzy @lucydurack @manufeildel @ShaneJacobson. Fun starts in Sydney (May 11-14) then Melbourne (May 22 & 23) #GotTalentAU
FREE TICKETS 👉 https://t.co/fIz99mHZkW pic.twitter.com/EMr9UsMUjg

— Channel 7 (@Channel7) May 5, 2019

The Got Talent format has had more than 900 million global viewers since it began in 2006 and has aired in 194 territories worldwide.

It holds the Guinness World Record title as Most Successful Reality Television Format in history with 72 local versions around the world.

Ricki-Lee explains its continued success: “It’s a show that families and people of all ages can sit down and watch together.

“It’s feel-good TV and there’s no other show like it.

“You get to watch these incredible acts that will have you hanging on the edge of your seat, gasping with shock and screaming with excitement.

“What I love about AGT is that there is so much variety; it’s not just confined to singers or dancers.

“It’s every type of weird and wonderful coming together on stage. It’s always surprising too.

“Just when you thought you’d seen it all…you’ll see something that makes your jaw drop! That’s the beauty of AGT.”

The show is a Fremantle production for Channel Seven. The Got Talent format was created by Simon Cowell and is co-owned by his SYCO Entertainment and Fremantle.

Filming begins this week, in Sydney (May 11-14, Big Top) and Melbourne (May 22-23, Palais Theatre).

In the meantime, tickets are moving for Coulter’s spring tour.

The first half of the show sees her tackle songs from the A Star Is Born movie, and the second features the hits from the past 15 years.

A second show at The Palms at Crown has since been added.