What is the Country Star Participation Requirement?
Each selected city, as part of its official International Cultures Celebration participation, is expected to bring or secure at least one recognized Country Star — a respected public figure who can credibly represent the city and nation, generate media attention, and amplify the cultural visibility of the city's NYC presence.
This is not only entertainment. It is a strategic cultural-diplomacy, media, tourism, sponsorship, and public-engagement requirement. The Country Star is a central element of how the city's participation translates into national pride, diaspora reconnection, media value, and Passport to the World adoption.
Who qualifies as a Country Star?
A Country Star may be drawn from any field of national or international recognition. The ecosystem recognizes the following categories:
• Music — singer, musician, composer, DJ, conductor
• Film & Television — actor, director, producer
• Sports — athlete, champion, coach
• Cuisine — chef, restaurateur, food authority
• Culture — dancer, choreographer, performer, cultural icon
• Fashion — designer, model, fashion authority
• Education — professor, intellectual, public educator
• Media — broadcaster, journalist, content creator
• Public Figure — civic leader, community figure
• Literature — author, poet, playwright
• Design — architect, designer, visual artist
• Science — scientist, innovator, technologist
• Business — entrepreneur, founder, executive
• Faith — religious leader, spiritual authority
• Other recognized public figures
Local, national, and international levels of recognition are all eligible — with international recognition carrying the highest media value, but local and national figures often having deeper community impact.
What roles does the Country Star play during NYC Celebration week?
In coordination with the selected city, the Country Star can help with:
• Promoting the city's and nation's participation through mainstream, ethnic, and social media
• Promoting Passport to the World as the city's cultural travel invitation to the world
• Participating in NYC Celebration week activities, pavilion activations, and media moments
• Appearing in or opening the International Cultures–Immigrants Parade on Avenue of the Americas
• Supporting the city's national pavilion or cultural presentation
• Generating national and international media attention
• Strengthening public excitement and Public Voting engagement in the home country
• Encouraging tourism, cultural exchange, sponsorship interest, and diaspora engagement
• Helping the city's local and national Cultures Celebration gain visibility before arriving in NYC
The Country Star's role is coordinated with the selected city, with national-government support where appropriate (ministries of culture, tourism, foreign affairs).
How does the selected city secure a Country Star?
The City Application form (under Apply) includes a dedicated Country Star section where the applicant specifies the proposed star's name, category, level of recognition, confirmation status (confirmed / invited / under discussion / to be identified), expected roles, and representative/agent contact information.
National ministries of culture, tourism, foreign affairs, and embassies are encouraged to assist with introductions, scheduling, diplomatic protocol, and visa coordination. The selected city is the primary owner of the relationship, with national government support as appropriate.
How does the Country Star connect to Passport to the World, sponsors, and ROI?
Country Star participation can increase media value, public excitement, sponsor appeal, Passport to the World promotion, diaspora engagement, and tourism visibility when professionally coordinated.
Sponsors may align with Country Star appearances, performances, pavilion activations, Passport to the World campaigns, media moments, and Parade participation — subject to approval and availability. This alignment is most often available at the International Presenting Partner and Founding Cultural Partner sponsor tiers.
For ROI, the Country Star is a multiplier on the city's NYC investment — translating cultural presence into measurable media reach, public engagement, sponsor activation, and post-event tourism and business follow-up through Passport to the World data.
