In the first episode we are introduced to the 12 contestants: 1 Tom. 2 Davin. 3 Matt. 4 Rohan. 5 Michael. 6 Brendan. 7 Adrian. 8 Stephen. 9 Sean. 10 Jamie. 11 Nathan. 12 Frank. The I Will Survive contestants began their journey at the Imperial Hotel in Erskineville, where host Hugh Sheridan informed them they would be performing their first group number, Go West – in drag. They had an hour to ready their wardrobe, hair and make-up before hitting the stage. All rose to the challenge brilliantly, giving a supremely entertaining account of themselves. After saying farewell to their loved ones, they jumped on the Priscilla bus bound for Dubbo. Once there, they performed their first solos for judges Stephan Elliott and Jason Donovan, along with guest Rachael Taylor.
For the second leg of their Dubbo adventure, the contestants learned they would be providing the half-time show for the local rugby team. The catch? They would be dressed as cheerleaders, singing the Cindy Lauper hit Girls Just Wanna Have Fun. To get them in a confident mood, they first participated in a mini-challenge at a bar, in which they had to a woo beautiful woman in red with their best pick-up line. Afterwards, they workshopped their musical number before hitting the field, pom poms and all. With their fates on the line, Frank, Matt and Sean took the lead and were under particular pressure to perform.
The contestants got off the Priscilla bus for the next stage of their journey, kicking off the Cobar leg with a flashmob rendition of Downtown. The performance got a mixed reception from the locals, some hugely entertained, others less than enthused by their colourful new visitors. Their next challenge was to rock out the local RSL with some solos, but first they received some training in unleashing their inner rock gods with Dave Gleeson of the Screaming Jets. Asher Keddie joined Jason and Stephan in guest judging the brilliant RSL performances, which left the Cobar punters well and truly rocked.
The contestants enjoyed some Cobar sightseeing and bonding activities, including clay pigeon shooting, before launching into rehearsals for the evening performance. During rehearsals they were encouraged to show their vulnerability by sharing something personal about themselves. Dressed in neon drag, the boys gave the Cobar residents a night to remember, with the bottom three in fanatastic form.
For their first task in Broken Hill, the contestants performed a group number for a music video clip, miming to RB Greaves’ Take a Letter Maria. Following the introduction of guest judge Magda Szubanski, they discovered the theme for their solos: country and western. Learning some fleet-footed dance steps from the Silver City Line Dancers, the contestants then took their turns on stage. While some shone, others suffered from an underwhelming day at the office, with Jamie’s rendition of Jolene raising eyebrows across the board.
The contestants rehearsed for their big performance at the Palace Hotel, receiving some expert instruction in creating fully-formed drag characters – from walking in heels to turning on the attitude. Dressed to the nines, the triple-threats hit the stage to perform Alicia Bridges’ I Love the Nightlife. Knowing their places in the competition were under threat, Adrian, Michael and Jamie put every ounce of energy into leading the group number.
The Priscilla bus pulling up in Port Augusta, the contestants hit the streets to spruik their forthcoming flashmob performance. The assembled crowd then watched in delight as the triple-threats did a routine to The Weather Girls’ classic It’s Raining Men. Still dressed in their drag outfits, the boys then headed off for a day at the races, even taking part in a race of their own, won by Adrian. Toni Collette was welcomed as guest judge, giving the hopefuls some pointers as they prepared to perform solos which had to incorporate music, dance and acting elements.
The contestants took some time to take in the Port Augusta surroundings, enjoying a tour of the town before attacking a gym session. After some clowning around jumping off the jetty, they got their heads into rehearsal mode for the evening performance. With their costumes not arriving in time, they also had to make their own, with the help of some of Port Augusta’s finest sewers and Priscilla’s Oscar-winning costume designer Tim Chappel.
The contestants arrived in Coober Pedy and kicked off proceedings with a flashmob performance of Marcia Hines’ You. The spectators lapped it up, particularly when guest judge Hines arrived to perform live vocals. The triple-threats then performed stripped back solos, with only a piano for accompaniment. After chorography rehearsal, it was time for the final performance, set to Thelma Houston’s Don’t Leave Me This Way.
The Priscilla Bus’ next stop was the Northern Territory town of Hermannsburg. The contestants kicked things off with a performance of All Fired Up by Pat Benatar. Hugh then welcomed the great Kelly Rowland to guest judge. For their solos, each performer was joined by a member of the Desert Divas, and together that had to sing a duet that would really sell the connection between them. The final show, singing Cyndi Lauper’s True Colors, was the most spectacular yet.
Finally the Priscilla bus arrived in Alice Springs, with the excited triple-threats first treating the residents to a flashmob rendition of Locomotion. Hugh then welcomed the first guest judge, musical star Lucy Durack, before leading the contestant into the Outback for their solos, which this week has to be performed acapella. The second guest judge, Aussie acting great Rachel Griffiths, was introduced before one by one the boys launched into song. The bottom three performed for their lives in the final show, to Cece Peniston’s Finally.
The contestant arrived for the first stop of the American leg of their I Will Survive journey, in Los Angeles. After settling in at their spectacular LA pad, they went to the famous Palace Theatre for their solos, performing before Jason, Stephan and guest judge Natalie Imbruglia. While their fellow triple-threats breathed a sigh of relief, the bottom two performers were challenged to impress at a studio recording, with will.i.am even stopping by to dispense some words of wisdom.
With the contestants one step away from the Big Apple, they headed into Las Vegas for the penultimate round of competition. After performing a flashmob routine on a bustling Fremont Street, the boys headed to Palms Casino to perform their Motown flavoured solos. Guest judging their efforts was Mary Murphy of So You Think You Can Dance fame. The bottom two were then called on to perform solos in a Chippendales production.
After a spectacular final episode of intense competition, the curtain came down on I Will Survive. Arriving in New York, the top three began by performing a flashmob, appropriately to the track Broadway. After rehearsals, they then travelled to the famous Spiegelworld for a group performance of Gloria Gaynor’s legendary hit I Will Survive, which decided the final two. For their last challenge, the boys had 24 hours to conceive a solo performance piece that truly encapsulated their triple-threat credentials, designing everything from the song direction to the costumes. Paula Abdul joined Jason and Stephan at the judging table, with all three mesmerised by the caliber of the routines. After a final song together and a nervous wait, the I Will Survive champion and winner of $250,000 was revealed.
