The Art Capital was in for an even bigger shock.
Everyone's Singer announced that the judges would not be the only ones deciding which contestants advanced. The audience would have a say too.
Annan explained that the judges were only there to point out the contestants' strengths and weaknesses. The people who would truly decide whether they advanced were viewers around the world.
When the time came, everyone watching Everyone's Singer on a Commercial Street would receive a ballot to cast for their favorite singer.
The more votes a singer received, the higher they would rank.
Annan had originally wanted to hand out one ballot per purchase. The Commercial Streets' first-quarter takings would have looked spectacular.
That would have made him a fortune, but it would have tarnished the Champion's trophy.
What began as a competition open to everyone, regardless of status, would have become a contest over who could spend the most.
He would be trading away the prize for a pittance.
With five million Gold Narls in sponsorship from the Wealth Church, Annan no longer needed Everyone's Singer to rake in money.
The announcement of the audience vote also brought Annan's earlier preparations into focus.
First was the requirement that every Commercial Street put forward at least one contestant.
Apart from the Empire, each country or Territory had, in most cases, only one Commercial Street.
Without a local contestant in the running, people had less reason to feel involved in Everyone's Singer.
But once someone from their area qualified, that shared origin would make locals see the contestant as one of their own.
Conversations over meals and tea would spread word of the competition.
That sense of closeness would make them more willing to vote for their own.
And that sense of involvement would make them cry and