Breakthrough By cover art

Breakthrough

By: AT WILL MEDIA
Narrated by: Daveed Diggs, Kelly Rowland, Sara Bareilles
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Episodes
  • Breakthrough Trailer

    Breakthrough Trailer
    Mar 1 2023

    In a genre-redefining first, Breakthrough is an electrifying, audio-only singing/songwriting competition series that strips away the superficial to reaffirm what matters most: pure talent. The captivating new Audible Original invites listeners on an intimate musical journey where it doesn't matter what you look like or who you know, just how you sound. Based solely on what they hear, expert celebrity judges Kelly Rowland (Destiny’s Child, The X Factor) and Sara Bareilles (Waitress, Into the Woods, Girls5eva) coach and evaluate five undiscovered artists as host Daveed Diggs (Hamilton, Blindspotting, The Little Mermaid) leads competitors through a series of high-stakes singing and songwriting challenges for one top spot.

    As musically gifted as they are artistically unique, each finalist is driven by the same dream: to become music’s next must-listen. But to break through, they’ll have to dig deep, pushing their vocal, songwriting, and recording chops to their absolute limits while keeping their feet (and emotions) firmly grounded. With Kelly and Sara leading the way, each contestant will discover just how bright their star can shine as they remind each of us that pure talent is never just a shot in the dark.
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    2 mins
  • Episode 1: The Song That Means the Most Challenge (Part 1)

    Episode 1: The Song That Means the Most Challenge (Part 1)
    Jun 1 2023

    Kelly Rowland and Sara Bareilles get to know five artists competing for $100,000 and a shot at a career breakthrough. Blaze, Johnna, Melanie, Mitch, and Sasha introduce themselves with a cover song that best represents who they are - as individuals, and as artists.

    Songs:

    “Stand Up“ by Cynthia Erivo: https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0C672NF34

    “Without You“ by Keith Urban: https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0C66VNHD7

    “Hold On” by Shawn Mendes: https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0C67BYL7V
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    39 mins
  • Episode 2: The Song That Means the Most Challenge (Part 2)

    Episode 2: The Song That Means the Most Challenge (Part 2)
    Jun 1 2023

    Tensions mount as the artists race against the clock to finish their songs and make a good impression at the season’s first group listening party. Emotional stories and breathtaking performances leave Kelly and Sara with a difficult decision. 

    Songs: 

    “The House That Built Me“ by Miranda Lambert: https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0C673G1HP

    “Solamente Una Vez“ by Los Panchos: https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0C67GS5TW
    Show more Show less
    48 mins

Watch the Trailer

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Sara Bareilles

About the Judge

Sara Bareilles has received two Tony Award nominations, three Primetime Emmy Award nominations, and nine Grammy Award nominations, garnering a 2020 Grammy in the category of Best American Roots Performance for her song "Saint Honesty", and a 2023 Grammy for Best Musical Theater Album for Into The Woods. On Broadway, she composed music and lyrics for Waitress, and stepped into the lead role in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021. Other musical credits include a song on the Tony Award-nominated score for SpongeBob SquarePants and Emmy Award-nominated appearance as Mary Magdalene in NBC's Jesus Christ Superstar Live. Bareilles produced original music and executive produced the musical drama series Little Voice, teaming up with Jessie Nelson, J.J. Abrams, and Apple. She plays Dawn Solano on the Emmy-nominated musical comedy series Girls5eva, and recently starred as The Baker’s Wife in the Broadway revival of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s Into the Woods.

Kelly Rowland

About the Judge

Kelly Rowland is a four-time Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, actress, television executive producer, New York Times bestselling author, and global pop superstar. On her own, she is a platinum-certified recording artist with over 40 million records sold, but she’s also known as a founding member of Destiny’s Child, one of the bestselling female groups of all time. Kelly Rowland has released four successful studio albums and an EP, all of which have topped music charts in several countries around the globe. Kelly has guest starred on several hit sitcoms including American Soul, Being Mary Jane, L.A.’s Finest as a recurring guest opposite Gabrielle Union and Jessica Alba, and she was the executive producer of her very own docuseries, Chasing Destiny.
She co-produced a digital series called milk + honey with EPs Idris Elba and Issa Rae. She has been a judge for the immensely popular shows The X Factor (UK 2011) and the U.S. version of The X Factor (2013), and was a guest mentor on NBC’s The Voice (U.S.), working alongside Jennifer Hudson in 2017. She joined the lineup as a judge on The Voice Australia in 2020. She is a New York Times bestselling author for her book Always with You, Always with Me and has starred and executive produced a trilogy of holiday films for Lifetime: Merry Liddle Christmas, Merry Liddle Christmas Wedding, and Merry Liddle Christmas Baby.

Daveed Diggs

About the Host

Tony and Grammy Award winning actor, rapper, writer and producer Daveed Diggs is widely known for originating the dual roles of Thomas Jefferson and Marquis de Lafayette in the Broadway sensation, Hamilton. He received a Tony and Grammy award in 2016 for his stage performance in addition to a 2021 Primetime Emmy Award nomination for the Disney+ version.
This Spring, Diggs will star in the live-action film adaptation of Disney’s The Little Mermaid, where he will voice the role of Sebastian, directed by Rob Marshall and releasing on May 26, 2023. He will also star in AppleTV’s Extrapolations, which will begin streaming on March 17th, 2023. Diggs serves as the co-creator, co-executive producer and writer of the Starz series, Blindspotting, which will premiere its second season at SXSW this March before premiering on air this Spring. Additionally, he lends his voice to Apple TV+’s hit animated musical sitcom, Central Park, he will also lend his voice to Disney+’s new drama series, The Crossover.

Dear Listener,


How did it feel to compete in—and ultimately win—the inaugural season of Breakthrough?

"While, yes, this was a competition and at times gruelingly challenging, to say the least, by surrendering to the process, it was almost like a huge masterclass as well. With two amazing mentors in Sara and Kelly and [help from] Stevie Mackey, JoJo, and even Michael Orland leading up to the finale, I learned so much about myself and the craft at the same time. Us contestants were like one big, diverse musical family by the end, and [even] without seeing each other, we became a part of each other’s journeys … And then came the finale—I heard my name called as the winner, and I hit the floor. After years of NOs, setbacks, second-place finishes, I was given an opportunity—a big challenge, if you will—and I pushed on and won.

But most importantly, I did it as me … I couldn’t have gotten through without the support of my family, especially my girlfriend, Mary Sarah, who pushed me and championed me from start to finish, and, of course, my adorable daughter, Avalyn, who, let’s be honest, stole the show with her cameos. All I can say is: Be authentically you—people can feel real, whether they can see it or not. Real is relatable. I hope you guys could feel that and [will] continue to get to know me outside of the show. $100,000—are you kidding me?! I’m already putting it towards new music to release for you all to hear and be a part of. Follow along on social media, and keep streaming the show and the music!" —Mitch Clark

What listeners say about Breakthrough

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Profile Image for Golden24

Fun Listen

So, I 100% listened to this series because I am a HUGE, HUGE, HUGE Sara Bareilles fan. While I'm not an artist or interested in the music business, this was a very fun competition to listen to and it was also so instructive as to what makes a good song and how hard these artists were willing to work to improve. AND it made me appreciate all of Sara's songs even more. Sara and Kelly were both helpful and kind but weren't afraid to offer instructive advice as coaches and I loved Daveed's hosting. Could have listened to more.

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  • EL
  • 06-06-23

Love this journey!

I absolutely love the first 3 episodes of Breakthrough!!! The individual journeys is fascinating, and I can't wait to hear MORE!

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Profile Image for Ryan Pangburn

Just right!

Perfect balance of performance and background stories. Daveed should host EVERYTHING (for real) and Kelly and Sara are excellent judges. 10/10 recommend!

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Profile Image for Pat P.

Interesting concept, great talent

Love the concept, it feels so intimate and personal getting to know everyone. It’s great that the competition is based on the judges’ decision instead of voting. They give genuinely interesting and constructive criticism that is actionable instead of the self-aggrandizing and vague feedback that tv singing competitions show. Can’t wait to listen to the rest of the episodes.

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Profile Image for M.S.

Obsessed

skeptical at first, I think around the 3rd episode i was hooked! this is so good! not just a singing competition but the way they do the challenges i really got into the stories. I listened to these just about all at once. when I finished latest episode without realizing it was the last and the next wasn't out yet... NOOOOOO! 🤣

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Profile Image for WintNavi

Great!

Great competition. I enjoyed the process and the opportunity to grow for each artist without the fear of anyone going home to soon. I hope they have more seasons of this. I will be here for it!

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Profile Image for Robyn T. Fink

Here for the journey, not the drama!

I can't decide who I am rooting for because I love them all so much!! Fingers crossed for a five-way tie in the finale

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Profile Image for Alex S

So Fresh & Fun

Loved every minute of this series, especially getting to hear more from the mentors and Daveed Diggs. All the contestants were incredible. Highly recommend this series.

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Profile Image for Juan C. Velandia

I loved this!

I'm a big Sara Bareilles fan, so whatever she does, I'm there. and this was so worth it! I love singing competitions, there's always a chance to discover new artists with amazing voices. That's exactly what happens here. And with mentors/judges like Sara and Kelly Rowly, it's just absolutely entertaining. And, as if that wasn't enough, the fabulous Daveed Diggs narrates the whole thing! Lots of talent everywhere! I really enjoyed this show and I'm already looking forward to the new season. In the meantime, I'll go listen to the songs performed during this first season

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Profile Image for A Scott

Positivity!

The vibes are everything I need. It is really nice to follow along with the performers as they grow in what feels like a very positive atmosphere.

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2 people found this helpful