Watch out, "Shark Tank," there's a new business reality competition show, hosted by Jordin Sparks, that may give the ABC show a run for its money!
The "American Idol" winner is hosting an interactive Roku show called "America's Real Deal," where the winner can take home a minimum of $250,000 for their business after deliberation from a panel of judges called ICONS and Millionaires Row investors. From the elevator pitch to a deep dive into their business's financial background, entrepreneurs have several rounds of competition before finalists get in the hot seat for elimination and a chance to win big bucks on their episode, including an additional $100,000 season champion prize.
"There's two distinct differences I feel that make it unique," Sparks explains to our entertainment reporter Courtney Tezeno about the show's concept. "Yes, people are coming on for investmentsbut there are three different types of businesses that are coming, and they're competing for the investment. So, they have to pitch. They have to show us what they have and what they've created."
She explains how more than one winner can take home the cash prize in each episode, adding, "Then the investors themselves decide whether or not they want to put money into them at the end, which is great. And sometimes they might even give a little to someone else, which is crazy."
The biggest distinction from "Shark Tank" is that viewers at home can vote, shop, and invest in one of the three businesses competing while watching, turning passive viewing into active deal-making.
"The second thing is that if you're sitting at home, a QR code is going to pop up during the show. And you can invest just by hitting that QR code and being able to look at and say, hey, if I like this, then I can invest in it."
From real estate to food industry up-and-comers, Sparks teased one company she found innovative and worth investing in while hosting the competition series.
"I really loved Wild Tonic," Sparks, 35, said. "It's like kombucha, but not. It's like a tea. It's delicious. And as soon as I took a sip, I said, I need to figure out how to be involved in it."
We put the "No Air" singer to the test and asked her to give us her best elevator pitch for a competition show she would want to join.
"I would say Hi, I'm Jordin Sparks, and I love to sing. I do a whole bunch of other things as well, which you'll find out if you hire me for this show," she said while laughing. "I can sing any genre. And I love to host as well. So, if you don't see me competing, I can host the show."
In 2007, Sparks won season 6 of "American Idol" at 17, becoming the youngest winner. She told us that if the show calls, she's saying "yes" to joining as a judge. When Katy Perry stepped down, the singer said, "I put my name in the ring" for a chance to fill the seat that Carrie Underwood ultimately landed.
"I feel like one day I'll be able to sit there. I think it would be a lot of fun, especially being one of the younger contestants," Sparks said. "I feel like I could really help the younger contestants on the show and help them feel not so alone, because the pressure is crazy."
Talk about manifesting and being a jack of all trades! Sparks can be seen hosting "America's Real Deal," premiering on Roku on August 29 (in the U.S., UK, Canada, and Mexico).