The transition of the show is exciting up until the judges have the power to choose who stays. The battles are all decided on the audience until the finals. The ones that were winning through the audience can be sent home simply because of judge preferences.
Season 1 was all hype because of Zhavia only, period. Zhavia didn't win, but the fandom of the audience supported her and shes successful without winning the show.
Season 2 had different styles, which introduced more, specifically Ali Caldwell. The preferences was highlighted in season 2 because of a stage presence from Whitney Reign vs pure talent from Ali Caldwell. Whitney had energy, yet needed cough drops and water to hit notes. Ali had the vocals, yet wasn't squating and doing splits like Whitney. Judges chose energy over actual talent. That's when I was done. Ali was robbed on national television for having TALENT in the finals.