GLEE PROJECT Likely to Return for Second Season

After nine weeks of grueling competition, the surprising finale episode of Oxygen's "The Glee Project" charged the four finalists with their definitive "Glee"-inspired homework assignment of "Glee-ality," performing Journey's epic hit "Don't Stop Believin'." Now according to a representative, the show is in the process of beginning casting for a second season, although season two has not yet been officially picked up. 

In another game changing twist, all four finalists were allowed to choose their own song for a last chance performance for Ryan Murphy, "Glee" co-creator and writer, Ian Brennan, "Glee" casting director Robert Ulrich, and "Glee" choreographer Zach Woodlee. Previous "Glee" guest mentors Darren Criss, Dot-Marie Jones, Harry Shum Jr., Max Adler, Ashley Fink and Jenna Ushkowitz sat in the audience with the eight previously eliminated contenders to lend support and cheer on the "Glee" hopefuls. With absolutely no room for error, Lindsay's vocals soared with "Gimme Gimme" from the Broadway musical "Thoroughly Modern Millie," Alex wowed the room in drag with "I Am Changing" from "Dreamgirls," Samuel strummed his guitar to a soulful rendition of Dolly Parton's "Jolene," and Damian brought back 50's flair with Bobby Darin's "Beyond the Sea." In the dramatic final moments of "The Glee Project," Ryan stunned everyone by choosing not one winner, but two!Check out clips from the finale below!

Samuel Larsen (19 of Los Angeles, CA) and Damian McGinty (18, of Derry City, Northern Ireland) were both proclaimed the winners of "The Glee Project," each awarded with a life and career changing guest-starring role on season three of "Glee" spanning seven episodes.

But Ryan Murphy wasn't done yet. To add yet another layer of surprise, he praised both Alex Newell (18, of Lynn, MA) and Lindsay Pearce (20 of Modesto, CA) for their vocal talent and perseverance throughout the season and gave them both two episode guest-starring roles on season three of "Glee."

Samuel, a musician at heart, is not only the lead singer in his band, but he also plays guitar, drums, bass and piano. He's a hopeless romantic and has a knack for serenading the ladies, often more confident singing to them than actually talking to them. Samuel was one of the 34,000 people to submit an audition video for "The Glee Project" via MySpace.

Damian has toured with the Irish vocal group Celtic Thunder and has been performing with them since age 14. While he has a lower voIce Than most male pop singers, Damian is a versatile vocalist who has learned to master many different styles. A native of Ireland, he brings a different cultural mindset than others competing on the show. Damian was discovered through industry channels to audition for "The Glee Project."

From Ryan Murphy, the creator and Emmy(R) award-winning executive producer of "Glee," and executive producer of "Glee" Dante di Loreto, "The Glee Project" is a 10-episode competition series seeking to find the next star of "Glee" and will award one winner with the ultimate prize of a seven-episode role in season three of the hit FOX show. The series began with 12 extraordinarily talented individuals that were picked from thousands of entries, and an exhaustive nationwide and online talent search. The series uncovers a unique group of artists from both professional and amateur backgrounds, proving every underdog has a fighting chance at stardom. Each week one contender is sent home through intensive rounds of singing, dancing and acting based assignments. During the final 'Last Chance Round,' the bottom three must perform for Ryan Murphy, casting director Robert Ulrich, and choreographer Zach Woodlee as they carefully assess which of them has what it takes to be one of the next new faces of the award-winning show.

"The Glee Project" is produced by Ryan Murphy Television and Embassy Row with Ryan Murphy, Dante di Loreto, Michael Davies and Shauna Minoprio serving as executive producers.

 

 

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