Anticipated A-List Musician of 2025
Rock Star 2025 came to a thrilling close with Ariel Goetsch snatching the grand prize and the title. Singing tunes from "Waitress", Journey, and various other hits, Ariel displayed an unmatchable talent that left both judges and the audience impressed. With her distinct vocals and captivating stage presence, it's no surprise that Ariel stole the show.
Jim Cox took home the second place trophy and $250, belting out classics like "Blaze of Glory" and "Panama" that got the crowd pumped. Meanwhile, Seth Edwards won third place with $150 in his pocket, performing songs from "Toy Story", "Mama Mia", and more.
The competition at Starved Rock was fierce, with a talented group of sixteen vocalists battling it out for the top spot. Each singer brought their A-game, singing three songs each - a soundtrack selection, an original tune, and a song of their choice. Monica Archie, Larry Kohr, and Kelly Peacher delivered stunning performances with songs from "Moulin Rouge", Jude Cole, and Sara Evans, among others.
This year, the competition saw a record-breaking number of sign-ups, with around 25 singers initially vying for a spot. A heartfelt thank you goes out to all the contestants, the judges, the team at Starved Rock, and everyone who came out to support these aspiring stars.
Stay tuned for the return of Rock Star 2026 next February, where you'll undoubtedly witness more extraordinary vocal talents taking the stage!
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The Final Round
- Seth Edwards: "When She Loved Me" from "Toy Story 2"
- Ariel Goetsch: "She Used to be Mine" from the Broadway musical "Waitress"
- Jim Cox: "Blaze of Glory"
- Larry Kohr: "Ticket to Ride"
- Kelly Peacher: "Shallow" from "A Star is Born"
- Monica Archie: "Lady Marmalade"
Freestyle Round
- Seth Edwards: "Mama Mia"-inspired freestyle
- Ariel Goetsch: "Pink Pony Club" freestyle
- Jim Cox: Warrant-styled freestyle
- Larry Kohr: Rocking freestyle
- Kelly Peacher: Jewel-inspired freestyle
- Monica Archie: High-energy freestyle
Final Songs
- Ariel Goetsch: "Lights" by Journey
- Jim Cox: "Panama"
- Larry Kohr: Jude Cole classic
- Kelly Peacher: "Suds in the Bucket"
Official Rules of Rock Star 2025
- Eligibility: Any U.S. resident age 21 or over is eligible to enter and win.
- Performance Requirements: Contestants must provide their own prerecorded musical accompaniment, memorize lyrics, and choose family-friendly song selections. No original compositions are allowed outside of the final freestyle round.
- Competition Structure: The competition takes place over four consecutive Wednesdays, with contestants advancing based on a combination of judges' scores and audience votes. The top vote-getter each week will receive a cash prize, and the grand prize will be awarded to the contestant receiving the highest total of combined scores and audience votes.
- Disclaimer: Participation does not guarantee remuneration, and contestants' names and performances may be used for promotional purposes. Winners may be responsible for taxes. There is no purchase necessary to enter or win.
- In the finale of Rock Star 2025, Ariel Goetsch impressed the judges and audience with her rendition of "Lights" by Journey, ultimately winning the grand prize and the title.
- The contest was fierce, with Seth Edwards, Jim Cox, Larry Kohr, and Kelly Peacher delivering standout performances in the final round and freestyle segments.
- Contestants like Monica Archie showcased their versatility by performing songs from various compositions, such as "Lady Marmalade" and Jude Cole classics.
- The official rules of Rock Star 2025 stipulate that contestants must provide their own prerecorded musical accompaniment, memorize lyrics, and choose family-friendly song selections for the competition.
- At the start of the competition, a record-breaking number of singers, including Ariel, Jim, Seth, Larry, Kelly, and Monica, initially vied for a spot, demonstrating the wide talent pool available in Panama's entertainment industry.
