WITH a prize purse of $1.5 million, television talent contest Digicel Rising Stars will begin its trek across the island in search of contestants tomorrow.

The first of six auditions will be held at the Mannings High School in Westmoreland on Sunday, beginning at 8:00 am.

Auditions will continue each Sunday during May with stops in Ocho Rios, Mandeville, May Pen, and Portmore. The final audition is slated for Kingston on June 12.

“Last year’s talent was enjoyable. The ladies dominated and we could see where they brought the full package, not just their voice, but overall performance. So with the bar set so high last season, this year I’m expecting contestants to come even bigger and better,” said resident judge Conroy Wilson.

The other judges are Anthony Miller and singer Alaine Laughton.

Now in its 13th season and with an increase in prize purse of $500,000, contestants will have even more encouragement to bring their ‘A-game’ this year.

“With 13 seasons under our belt, Digicel Rising Stars has become a part of the culture of Jamaica. We are very proud of this and want to continue to encourage Jamaicans to use Digicel Rising Stars as a platform to jump-start their career. This improved cash prize will serve as not only encouragement, but as a well-deserved reward for the person that Jamaica chooses as their next Rising Star,” said Kamal Powell, Digicel’s senior sponsorship and development manager.