The Folk Star is Romania’s first talent show entirely dedicated to folklore – a vibrant celebration of traditional music, heritage, and national identity. Contestants selected through nationwide auditions compete for the prestigious title of Folk Star and a grand prize of 100,000 lei.
With spectacular staging, emotionally charged performances, and a deep cultural resonance, the show bridges generations – offering high-quality entertainment that appeals to both traditional viewers and a younger audience. In each preliminary episode, five contestants face off for a place in the semifinals. Only one will triumph in the Grand Final and be crowned the next Vedeta Populară.
The show is hosted by the elegant and charismatic Iuliana Tudor. The jury, composed of some of the most beloved and respected names in Romanian folklore, includes: Elise Stan, Cornelia Rednic, Niculina Stoican, Grigore Leșe, and Bogdan Mihai Simion. Past jurors have included Mircea Dinescu, Laura Lavric, and Constantin Enceanu.
Supporting the emotional journeys of the contestants are actors Lucian Ghimiși and Dan Clucinschi, who co-host alongside Iuliana Tudor and help guide participants through moments of vulnerability and courage.
Vedeta Populară has been recognized with some of Romania’s top television awards, including:
- 🏆 TV Mania Award – Best Talent Show
- 🏆 Radar de Media Award – Best Entertainment Show
This original format was developed by TVR in collaboration with Zucchero Media. Launched in October 2017, the show has been broadcast on TVR1, Romania’s national public broadcaster. In April 2021, Vedeta Populară premiered its sixth season.
🔗 More about the show on TVR1
📰 Press coverage via Pagina de Media