After 12 casting episodes, recorded on the Drachenfels, on Forggensee and on the Hanse Gate Hamburg, the 126 progressed candidates went to the recall in Sölden. They initially appeared in larger groups, and those who progressed thereafter in groups of two, three or four. 22 of them - plus the four winners of the Golden CDs - received a ticket to South Africa. There they were supported by the vocal coaches Juliette Schoppmann and André Franke. The remaining 11 candidates competed in an additional recall in the Landschaftspark Duisburg-Nord for the Top 7 in the Live Shows. Groups of men and women sang in groups of three or two, after which the jury sent four participants to the Live Shows. The remaining seven superstar aspirants had to perform solo performances, which led to the decision on the remaining three places. At the first time in the History of the show there are only 7 contestants perform in the Live Shows.