Run by
湖南卫视 from 2004 to 2006, it let any young woman audition and let viewers vote by text message (
短信), which was new on Chinese television. The 2005 season made its winner
李宇春 and runners-up
周笔畅 and
张靓颖 stars. It started the
选秀 craze and is often shortened to
超女.
