Afghan Star, hosted by John Legend
Kaleidoscope 10 episodes Oct 29, 2026
Hosted by John Legend, this podcast tells the story of Afghan Star, a TV talent show modeled on American Idol that emerged after the Taliban banned music in Afghanistan. It follows the people who resisted the silence by smuggling cassettes and VCRs, holding secret parties, and eventually creating a radical new television show. Afghan Star became a cultural phenomenon, with viewers campaigning for contestants and women singing and dancing on stage, but its success also made it a target for a resurgent Taliban. The series explores how the show transformed the country and the threats faced by the young producers behind it.
Episodes
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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 educati
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 InstagramSee omnystudio.
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
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_n
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
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 edu
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? Follo
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 eve
Introducing: Afghan Star, hosted by John Legend
In Afghanistan, a cultural revolution was televised through a musical talent show, and this is its story. 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. Se
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