American Idol and America's Got Talent may be the most recognizable talent shows to the Oprah Show audience, but talent searches all across the globe are taking viewers by storm. "It's a big world out there, and it's full of talent," Oprah says.?

From Russia to Malta to Afghanistan, TV talent shows are catapulting relative unknowns into bona fide stardom—Oprah Show producers counted more than 600 shows in 104 nations! "I just love it when somebody's dream gets to come true," Oprah says. "That is happening every single week."

Simon Cowell, perhaps the world's most famous talent scout, is both feared and revered for his uncompromising honesty on shows like American Idol and Britain's Got Talent. Simon says the popularity of talent shows is a positive development. "The great thing about it is when you start seeing it in places like China and Afghanistan. It's democracy," he says. "It gives the underdog a shot, and I think it's brilliant. … The fact that we're allowing the public to make the decisions most of the time is a really good thing."

When Simon spots real talents, he says he can tell right away that they've got something special. "It's like they come into the audition room in color, and everyone else is in black-and-white," he says. "They're in a different league, and you just pray that they're going to retain it through the rest of the competition."?

Leona Lewis and Carrie Underwood are two superstars Simon says he knew would hit it big the moment he met them. "It's more than a voice; you've got to have 'it,'" he says. "It's rare, and I'm glad that it's rare, because these people should be like diamonds."?

Simon's brutal honesty made him famous, but he says he never plans his comments for contestants ahead of time. "The best way of approaching it is to be in the moment," he says. "Then, hopefully you will be saying what people at home are going to be thinking."

Growing up in Chengdu, China, Jane Zhang set her sights on becoming a singer. After her father passed away, the 15-year-old took a job singing at a local pub to help support her mother, and quickly developed her own local fan base.

In 2005, Jane was one of 120,000 hopefuls who auditioned for a new talent show, Mongolian Cow Sour Yogurt Super Girl. After singing Mariah Carey's "Hero," she was instantly chosen to compete for the title of the next Super Voice Girl.

Four hundred million viewers tuned in to see who would take home the title, and although Jane didn't win the competition, she became the show's breakout star. With 15 number one hit singles, Jane's been named China's Best Female Artist three years in a row. She's making her American television singing debut on The Oprah Show!