First came "Pop Idol" in Britain; then the idea crossed the pond and morphed into "American Idol"; now comes "GIFTED," the Christian music version.

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The Orange County (Calif.) Register reports that instead of Simon Cowell's trademark nastiness, producer Paul Anderson tells contestants they're singing for an audience of one -- God.

Some 12,000 people auditioned for the contest, which was organized through churches. By Monday, there were just 23 competing in this week's super-regionals, which will reduce the field to just eight for the finals in Hollywood in May.

The winner will be signed by a major Christian recording label and win a gig as the opening act for former Backstreet Boy Brian Littrell, who is one of the celebrity judges.

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