 The very first gala evening on Monday September 29, 2008 featured the introduction to 16 contestants that have entered the Academy as well as performances from Anastacia, Karolina Gočeva, Sergej Ćetković, Jelena Rozga, Deen, Let 3, and Marija Šerifović.The second gala evening on October 6 featured performances from Željko Joksimović, Severina, and Laka.Contestants Nikola Paunović and Ivana Nikodijević were nominated.