6 contestants move on in ABC's 'Rising Star'

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Viewers on both coasts of ABC's newest singing competition "Rising Star" cast their votes Sunday during the premiere and pushed six artists through to the next round.

The show allows viewers at home to vote on the "Rising Star" app and determine the fate of each performer instantly. When a performer receives enough votes to raise 2-ton, 3-story video monitors, he or she moves on.

Joshua Peavy, a youth pastor from Georgia, started the show off strong with his rendition of "Everything I Do" by Bryan Adams. His tally quickly surpassed the show's required 70 percent.

"It was overwhelming," said Peavy, 28. "I was barely able to hold it together."

It only took seconds for the wall to rise for 20-year-old Jesse Kinch from Seaford, New York. He rocked out to "I Put a Spell on You."

"It was uplifting. When that wall rose it was pure bliss. Just to think that all these people all over the country, including the judges, recognized you," Kinch said.

Also moving on is Sarah Darling, 31, of Nashville, Tennessee. Darling received a nearly 90 percent approval from the East Coast and 86 percent approval from the West Coast.

"You have to sometimes jump. You have to jump in and take risks or otherwise you're never going to get that big prize," Darling said.

Macy Kate, 16, was surprised while sitting in the audience during the show by Josh Groban, who told her she would be competing at the end of the show. She submitted her video to ABC on Instagram.

"It was honestly a complete surprise," said Kate, who made also made it through.

Other contestants who are headed to the next round, include Lisa Punch, 21, of Brooklyn, New York and Maneepat Molloy, 16, of Los Angeles.

A handful of contestants, however, were sent home.

"It's 'Hunger Games' meets the Roman Coliseum," judge Brad Paisley said.

Ten more contestants take the stage next week for round two of the "Rising Star" competition.