Project Icon contestants: meet the cast of Jason Derulo's talent show

The wait is finally over, get ready to meet the cast of BBC Three’s Project Icon.

Jason Derulo's new show Project Icon will see 10 aspiring recording artists - who are hungry to break into the mainstream - battle it out in the hopes of becoming the UK’s next music icon.

Comprised of six episodes, the series will arrive on BBC Three and BBC iPlayer on Sunday 26 March. Project Icon will put the artists to the test by having them compete in a series of challenges that reflect the realities of the music industry today, from creating a viral TikTok video to performing an original signature song. 

Our talented hopefuls will be guided by three expert judges: global star Jason Derulo, Brit Award winner Becky Hill and music mogul Frank Harris.

The artists come from all over the UK, specialising in everything from alt-country music to R&B. Some have masses of followers online while others are new to the game, but they all have one thing common: they want to be the UK’s next music icon.

There’s everything to play for as the winner will receive a US record deal, release a collaboration with Jason and perform at Radio 1’s Big Weekend 2023 - what more could a rising artist want?

Anything can be an album cover, including the Project Icon hopefuls. With that in mind, here’s a rundown of who they are in the iconic A and B side vinyl format...

A side: Barry says he’s ready to bring the “flavour” to Project Icon, explaining “I have always been told I have a personality for TV.” Working in events, the artist certainly knows how to make anything feel like a party and dreams of being the new face of glam rock.

B side: Behind his confident image, Barry says he is determined to challenge the music industry’s perception of an icon: “I want to be an icon. I have what it takes, I stand out, I’m different.”

A side: Charlie says he’s a “cheeky, charming ladies man," and is ready to put his passion into making R&B/pop music. Working in social media marketing, Charlie knows how to sell an idea and prides himself on thinking “outside the box.”

B side: Charlie gets a buzz from performing live and is sure that’ll take him far in the competition: “Once I began performing some of my own songs there was no feeling like it. It's my dream to create a positive atmosphere at my shows and hopefully leave people with goosebumps.”

A side: “A rebel on his own path and a perpetual hunter of silver linings,” Dylan says he’s ready to show the judges all he has to offer. He’s a singer, songwriter and guitarist who impressed when he auditioned with his original song “Heaven Now.”

B side: Growing up in a small town in Cornwall, Dylan looked up to his Nan, who was the “rebel in the family,” and David Bowie. He specialises in indie/soul music and is ready to disrupt the music industry: “Internally, I am calm and peaceful but a lover of creative disruption.”

A side: Emelle is ready to be the next Miley Cyrus and says about the show, “it’s either win or nothing.” She hopes that her songs about love and female empowerment will land her icon status.

B side: Emelle is already a star on TikTok, having racked up over nine million views on one video. She specialises in country music, which often catches attention due to Emelle’s northern roots.

A side: Jay is a passionate pop/Caribbean singer who works as a full-time influencer and has appeared in campaigns for ASOS and Levi’s. The hilarious viral videos he makes with his 75-year-old dad also show he has the personality the judges want.

B side: If Jay looks familiar, it’s because he appeared on the X Factor in 2013 as part of boyband Kingsland Road. He eventually left the band to pursue his solo career. Embracing his uniqueness, Jay says: “The things that you want to hide away from the world, that is what makes you special."

A side: Lillie-Jo’s philosophy is to “never give up on your dreams despite how out of reach it might feel.” She works as a singer/model and grew up in a pub and from a young age she would stand on tables to sing for the locals - becoming something of a local celeb in Islington.

B side: Lillie-Jo gigs in venues around London and frequently collaborates with former Blazin’ Squad member and Love Island star Marcel Somerville, who produces her tracks. She’s determined to impress the all-star judges, explaining: “It is a nerve wracking experience but I’ll give it my all .”

A side: Full time busker Mia spends her days on the streets singing for passers-by, which has helped build up her confidence. While she’s working on finding her voice, Mia’s taking the competition seriously: “I might be really quiet and shy and I might not look as extravagant as everyone else, but I am in it to win it.”

B side: Mia is a Becky Hill superfan and cried seeing her in concert. The young artist specialises in dance/pop and is keen to work with Brit Award winner Becky.

A side: “Girl power!” is what drives Nnenna, who lives with her mum and sister. Working as a teacher by day and soul/jazz performer by night, her dream is to one day perform on Jools Holland.

B side: Nnenna attended the Brit School and won the Trafalgar Square talent show Africa on the Square. She also DJs on the side and is keen to pick up new skills where she can, saying: “I am ready to listen and take notes.”

A side: Okeam says he’s “always had a passion for music,” and started singing at five-years-old. He currently teaches at a special needs school and specialises in R&B, soul and Motown.

B side: Determined to break down barriers and show emotional rawness in his music, Okeam explains: “There’s a lot of toxic masculinity going on and I want to make vulnerability more popular.”

A side: Xyzelle is "relentless about music as it is my whole life and dream" and is determined to impress the judges. Putting music first, the soul/hip-hop singer picks up jobs waitressing and modelling to fund her ambitions.

B side: The artist was born in the Philippines and is inspired by the musicians she saw on MTV as a child. For Xyzelle, making music is “a journey of constantly learning,” and she’s excited to embrace what Project Icon has to offer.

Project Icon starts Sunday 26th March at 9pm on BBC Three and BBC iPlayer.