The McDonald’s R&B Soul Search returns for its fourth year Friday night at the Loft, and organizer Miqua Alverez of Hoffman/Lewis says this year more than ever, they’re truly looking for talent.

“The audition judges are being more strict, and not ‘oh, that’s good for diversity.’ And they’ve been asking people they’ve seen to come back 20 minutes later to re-audition, just to make sure they really want them,” says Alverez.

One final audition is noon-4 p.m. Saturday at the Loft.

“This year we want to see someone who has everything,” she says of what they’re looking for. And it goes beyond obvious talent.

“We want a good personality, good looks, and we don’t want them to already be full of themselves. It’s a better winner when they’re more down to earth,” she says. “We had a little bit of what we were looking for in each winner in the past.”

Past winners were DeAndrae Perryman, Justin Hoskins, and Kristin Stimage.

Prizes are $1,000, studio time at Phat Buddha, a photo shoot with Suzy Gorman, and a performance slot at an upcoming Suite Soul Spot at the Old Rock House.

Hosts are Staci Static of Hot 104.1 and Niecy Davis of Foxy 95, and judges are Stimage, Phat Buddha’s Mike Landau, St. Louis American’s Kenya Vaughn, and yours truly.

The contest will play out Friday, May 29, and June 5. Three finalists will be chosen from each round, with one slot open for the public to vote online June 6-June 12. The finale is June 19.

Get more information at www.mcdonaldstl.com.