Everyone has a dream, but often, life gets in the way, and we see them change or sadly float away. In Magnolia Network and Max’s newest talent competition series, Second Chance Stage, a few lucky contestants are getting another opportunity to pursue their heart’s desires.
The show focuses on redemption and resilience and allows contestants—musicians, comedians, and performers—to share their personal stories of struggle and perseverance.
“It’s very special to see people who thought all hope was lost be given hope. As long as you have hope, you can keep going,” sports broadcaster and author Emmanuel Acho, who serves as the host of the show, said to Blavity’s Shadow and Act.
As Acho commands the stage, the judges’ panel, comprised of Taye Diggs, Martina McBride and Heidi Gardner, focuses on helping each contestant reach their full potential.
Each of the eight episodes will feature participants facing challenges designed to enhance their performance skills and receiving constructive feedback from a panel in hopes of winning a $100,000 cash prize.
“There’s just such a sense of gratitude around the whole thing,” Gardner told us during a visit to the set. “It just uplifts the entire experience. We’re all here getting this chance to love on each other. You will feel that as the audience, and we feel that as the judges. We just really feel connected; it doesn’t feel like I’m rooting for this person or this is all about me.”
Diggs’ sentiments about the contestants echoed those of his fellow judges. He noted the absence of the “bravado” amongst the contestants that made the show so authentic.
“It changes the entire atmosphere,” said the actor, who went on to state that the humanity of the contestants “does something more.”
“I’m sure they perform better just because they’re connected as opposed to that one-track idea of ‘I’m the s**t.’ Their stories are so personal and specific that bringing that to their performance becomes something completely different,” Diggs said.
Although the judges aren’t privy to all of the heartstring-pulling stories behind why each contestant veered off their original lane to stardom, they get to enjoy the raw talent that comes their way on the Kansas City stage. Contestants range from an immigrant opera singer who earns a living as a grocery store employee, to a construction worker whose real craftsmanship is shown in the details of his handmade flutes.
Even with the little they know, the “investment” in their stories makes judging much more special for McBride.
“I think they are getting so much out of this. There’s a lot of humanity, kindness, grace, genuine humbleness and gratitude for being able to go on that stage for another chance,” she said.
She also expressed her happiness that the feedback could be a starting point for some contestants.
Gardner said that the duty of being a “super present” judge was a scary difference from her job at Saturday Night Live, but in the end, it was an “honor.”
She explained, “My favorite thing to do is play characters. I was pretty scared of being myself, and watching these people be so vulnerable and themselves really made me step up and say, ‘Oh wait, this is a responsibility.’”
Although Second Chance Stage is considered a competition show, the performances are a testament to the contestants’ unwavering spirit and determination.
As Acho noted, the show is more than just a chance to showcase talents; it’s a celebration of people’s finally being able to “chase their dreams, no matter how far they may have seemed.”
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