Afghan Star, hosted by John Legend

iHeartPodcasts
Afghan Star, hosted by John Legend

From the fall of the Taliban until its return, people all over Afghanistan planned their lives around Afghan Star. People would pack into apartments. Villages would hook up generators to a single tv so crowds could watch. New Year’s celebrations would come to a halt, all to watch this one show. Over its 15 seasons, Afghan Star spotlighted an Afghanistan that could be: women singing, Afghanistan’s first rapper, people of warring ethnic groups hugging and cheering for each other on stage. And it launched a cultural revolution. This is the story behind it all– from how a ragtag team scrambled to make the show every week, to the dangers they faced for trying to push the country forward. In Afghanistan, a cultural revolution was televised through a musical talent show, and this is its story. Hosted by John Legend.

  1. Lights, Camera, Action

    EPISODE 1

    Lights, Camera, Action

    A young radio producer in Afghanistan is given an impossible task: to create a brand new, revolutionary talent show in just two months. Music at the end of this episode from Afghan musician Qais Maroof, contestant on The Voice of Afghanistan. To purchase original Afghan Star artwork visit www.awastudios.com/afghanstar — proceeds go to support The Noor Initiative, who are on a mission to ensure every Afghan girl has access to education and opportunity. Like what you hear? Follow us @kscope_nyc on Twitter and Instagram  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    43 min
  2. Angels Of Peace

    EPISODE 2

    Angels Of Peace

    Daoud Sediqi grows up in an Afghanistan full of music and movies. Then the Taliban arrive and Daoud becomes a revolutionary on the frontline of the cultural war. To purchase original Afghan Star artwork visit www.awastudios.com/afghanstar — proceeds go to support The Noor Initiative, who are on a mission to ensure every Afghan girl has access to education and opportunity. Like what you hear? Follow us @kscope_nyc on Twitter and Instagram  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    39 min
  3. Bigger than an Election

    EPISODE 3

    Bigger than an Election

    As the sole breadwinner for his family, Shakib Hamdard struggles to provide for his mom and sisters. But everything changes when the young taxi driver finds himself at the very first audition for Afghan Star.   To purchase original Afghan Star artwork visit www.awastudios.com/afghanstar — proceeds go to support The Noor Initiative, who are on a mission to ensure every Afghan girl has access to education and opportunity. Like what you hear? Follow us @kscope_nyc on Twitter and Instagram  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    37 min
  4. The Dance

    EPISODE 4

    The Dance

    Setara Hussainzada is one of the first women to make it to the final rounds of Afghan Star. It’s a triumph. And then she does something that puts her life – and the lives of everyone who makes the show – at risk.  To purchase original Afghan Star artwork visit www.awastudios.com/afghanstar — proceeds go to support The Noor Initiative, who are on a mission to ensure every Afghan girl has access to education and opportunity. Like what you hear? Follow us @kscope_nyc on Twitter and Instagram  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    26 min
  5. Devil’s Star

    EPISODE 5

    Devil’s Star

    As the show’s producers take a dangerous trip to recruit talent from across the country, Afghan Star becomes a target for a resurgent Taliban.  ... To purchase original Afghan Star artwork visit www.awastudios.com/afghanstar — proceeds go to support The Noor Initiative, who are on a mission to ensure every Afghan girl has access to education and opportunity. Like what you hear? Follow us @kscope_nyc on Twitter and Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    31 min
  6. The Bomb

    EPISODE 6

    The Bomb

    Afghanistan’s biggest popstar leads the fight against the Taliban. And then one January day, a bomb goes off on a bus in Kabul, and nothing about the show– or the country– will ever be the same again ... To purchase original Afghan Star artwork visit www.awastudios.com/afghanstar — proceeds go to support The Noor Initiative, who are on a mission to ensure every Afghan girl has access to education and opportunity. Like what you hear? Follow us @kscope_nyc on Twitter and Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    29 min
  7. Exodus

    EPISODE 7

    Exodus

    Aryana Sayeed is doubling down on her life in Kabul while all around her, the Taliban are closing in. ... To purchase original Afghan Star artwork visit www.awastudios.com/afghanstar — proceeds go to support The Noor Initiative, who are on a mission to ensure every Afghan girl has access to education and opportunity. Like what you hear? Follow us @kscope_nyc on Twitter and Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    28 min
  8. Curtains

    EPISODE 8

    Curtains

    As the Taliban returns, Massood Sanjer - the head of TOLO TV - has to make a decision. Should he do what they want and take Afghan Star off the air, or keep fighting for the revolution he helped start.  ... To purchase original Afghan Star artwork visit www.awastudios.com/afghanstar — proceeds go to support The Noor Initiative, who are on a mission to ensure every Afghan girl has access to education and opportunity. Like what you hear? Follow us @kscope_nyc on Twitter and Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    38 min
See All Season 1 (8)

Trailer

4.3
out of 5
37 Ratings

About

From the fall of the Taliban until its return, people all over Afghanistan planned their lives around Afghan Star. People would pack into apartments. Villages would hook up generators to a single tv so crowds could watch. New Year’s celebrations would come to a halt, all to watch this one show. Over its 15 seasons, Afghan Star spotlighted an Afghanistan that could be: women singing, Afghanistan’s first rapper, people of warring ethnic groups hugging and cheering for each other on stage. And it launched a cultural revolution. This is the story behind it all– from how a ragtag team scrambled to make the show every week, to the dangers they faced for trying to push the country forward. In Afghanistan, a cultural revolution was televised through a musical talent show, and this is its story. Hosted by John Legend.

Information

  • Channel
    iHeartPodcasts
  • Creator
    iHeartPodcasts
  • Episodes
    9
  • Seasons
    1
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    2025 iHeartMedia, Inc. © Any use of this intellectual property for text and data mining or computational analysis including as training material for artificial intelligence systems is strictly prohibited without express written consent from iHeartMedia
  • Show Website
    Afghan Star, hosted by John Legend
  • Provider
    iHeartMedia + Entertainment, Inc

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