The first official broadcast numbers of the Global Competition came as a shock to everyone. The program went live worldwide, and by the next morning, official reports confirmed it: 750 million people had tuned in to watch the first stage in Tokyo. This proved that the Global Competition was more than just a show—it was a global event.
As the episode replayed around the world that evening, reactions poured in everywhere. Families sat together, music lovers argued online, and social media exploded with debates. The production team had packaged the broadcast perfectly—contestant introductions, interviews, performance highlights, even behind-the-scenes shots. They didn't show everything, but they showed enough to hook the world, cut just enough to spark debates, and even pitched contestants against one another to create rivalries. It was obvious: they wanted drama and conversation, and they got it.
Even with all of that, some names stood out immediately for their exceptional performances.
Sophia Zhang from China impressed not just with her clean, sharp voice but with her ability to switch between the guzheng and piano like it was second nature. Her stage looked more like a full concert than a contest performance. Backed by the number one label in Asia, her team pushed her hard on promotions, but Sophia made their job easy. She was an amazing singer, a skilled instrumentalist, and her visuals lit up the stage.
Comments flowed online:
@realalexm: "This girl is scary good. The way she switches from guzheng to piano? Unreal."
@jennykai: "I've followed her covers online for years. Trust me, Sophia was built for this stage."
@tonywrites: "She feels like a full concert act already. No weak point at all."
@Chrisfin: "She's basically a finished superstar already. Everyone else is playing catch-up."
Then there was Min Jae from South Korea. His idol aura worked for him before he even sang a note. From the moment he stepped on stage, his calm, practiced control pulled the audience in. Cameras captured girls in the crowd screaming before he opened his mouth. Min Jae had been training for more than a decade, and it showed. With a huge Asian fanbase and backing from the same label as Sophia, he looked unstoppable.
Viewers reacted quickly:
@saranghoya: "That fanbase power is no joke. Dude didn't even sing yet, and the place exploded."
@cameronk_music: "This is idol-level perfection. He doesn't even look nervous."
@nicolereacts: "If we're being real, Min Jae can go all the way just with fans alone."
@marcusj: "If he doesn't make Top 5, something's wrong."
@danaivy: "This dude looks like he walked straight out of a K-pop MV."
Lucas Rivera from Brazil brought something different—pure energy. He had the crowd moving like it was a festival, switching between guitar and drums mid-performance, grinning the whole way through. His vibe was contagious; people couldn't sit still. On social media, clips of him smiling mid-performance went viral.
Fans wrote:
@bruno_szn: "Lucas is the type that makes you dance even if you don't want to. Dangerous contestant."
@alejandra_muzik: "He's not perfect vocally, but come on, look at that vibe. Pure star power."
@thebeatplug: "Brazil always brings rhythm. He killed that stage."
@djmaxwell: "Lucas doesn't even need perfect vocals—his vibe alone is winning hearts."
@fabiosilva: "This is the guy who'll drop an album and it'll be pure vibes. I'm sold."
Then came Amara Diop from Senegal. She blended African traditional sounds with modern R&B, using the kora and flute in her set. It gave her a unique edge no one else had. The sound was refreshing, emotional, and unforgettable. Some even cried when the flute came in. It was sorrowful yet beautiful, leaving an imprint on everyone watching.
Online, comments poured in:
@senegalvibes: "This is how you stand out. She's blending culture and pop perfectly."
@nataliegrace: "Amara's performance gave me chills. You can't fake originality like that."
@dbossman: "Mark my words, she's going to be the dark horse of this competition."
@jonaslee: "This has never been attempted on a stage like this. Raw talent."
@africanpride: "Africa is proud, Amara!"
Matteo Rossi from Italy came after. He blended strong, emotional vocals with piano arrangements that felt cinematic. Some praised his polish, while others argued he was "too perfect, almost cold." Still, he stood out. He didn't talk much backstage, but on stage, his performance did all the talking. Handsome, smooth, and backed by loud Italian support, he looked like a serious contender.
Audience reactions followed:
@rossifansitalia: "This guy has the look, the voice, and the confidence. Total package."
@lizzieh_94: "He makes it look so easy. That's the scary part."
@sharonxoxo: "He looks cold and hot at the same time. OMG."
Then came Frank. The editors didn't hold back with him. Backstage footage showed him snapping at another contestant and rolling his eyes during rehearsals. Even after winning his stage, he stayed cold, calling his opponent "weak" without hesitation. His performance itself was strong, but his attitude was what really left a mark.
Reactions were split:
@raymondtalks: "Not gonna lie, he can sing. But man, his attitude is trash."
@kaylashift: "Frank's arrogance might get him noticed, but it won't win him fans."
@trendwatcher: "Some people love villains… I think he's about to play that role here."
@juliereacts: "I'm not going to lie, the person I'm voting for is Frank. Did you guys see the way he carried himself? The arrogance, the confidence? That's star material."
@mario88: "Nah, he's too cocky. Can't stand him."
But the real star of the broadcast was Dayo. His backstage interview, where he admitted being nervous, drew sympathy. Then came his performance—the bold remix of a judge's own song. The Japanese crowd's silence before their eruption of applause became one of the defining moments of the night. The judges' high scores sealed it.
The episode didn't stop there. Behind-the-scenes clips showed Dayo encouraging Miguel backstage, helping Min Jae arrange his track in the studio, and finally, the dinner speech where he lifted the spirits of the eliminated contestants. Cameras caught laughter replacing tears, and that moment hit viewers everywhere.
Fans responded instantly:
@musicreviewer: "This guy doesn't just perform, he connects. That speech at the dinner? Respect."
@vibescheck: "Remixing the judge's song was insane… and he pulled it off. Star in the making."
@brooklynbeats: "Dayo feels real. Not putting on a mask, just being himself. That's why people like him."
@henrygorge: "Dayo is a complete star already and a leader too. Look at his aura."
@ianokeke: "Nigerians are proud of you, Dayo."
By the end of the broadcast, fan discussions were blowing up. People had their favorites, arguments broke out, and hashtags for contestants trended worldwide. But there was no denying it—Dayo had cemented himself as one of the breakout stars of the night.
And with all the buzz around him, his songs and social media saw massive boosts almost instantly. New fans researched him, streamed his tracks, and followed him online.
Luna × Dayo — Hall of Fame (2 months since release)
Spotify: 118.3M streams (+25.7M since last update)
Apple Music: #1 in 38 countries (down from 62)
YouTube: 163.1M views (+34.7M)
Audiomack: 31.9M streams (+7.6M)
Lois × Dayo — Best Part
Spotify: 13.9M streams (+6.1M)
Apple Music: 5.6M streams (+2.4M)
Audiomack: 3.7M streams (+1.2M)
YouTube: 2.4M views (+0.9M)
Total: 25.6M streams
Dayo's Social Media Growth
TikTok: 14.5M followers (+1.8M)
Instagram: 10.4M followers (+1.2M)
Twitter/X: 5.4M followers (+0.2M)
The same scenario happened to all other contestant as they saw a massive improvement on their socials. This was the power behind the Global competition; just being in one episode would take your status to another level, and it was happening now.
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