German pop group, Saphir, were formed in January 2010. The band consisted of Lea Sofia Nikiforow, Jennifer Haben, Kathrin Sicks, and Amely Sommer, all winners of the talent show KI.KA LIVE - Beste Stimme gesucht! on the German TV station KI.KA. Nikiforow, who won the contest in 2009, initiated the band after meeting Haben (winner in 2007) and Sicks (winner in 2008). The trio were later joined by Amely Sommer, the winner of the 2010 contest, to complete the lineup. Nikiforow swapped her prize, a solo recording contract, for the formation of a band and the production of an album. In May 2010, Saphir released their self-titled debut album, which featured exclusively German-singing tracks. However, by January 2011, the singers decided to focus on solo projects, leading to the disbandment of the group.
