"Irish Contender not a bona fide Idol...yet"
Nov 19, 2006 7:10:37 GMT 10
Post by winterlong on Nov 19, 2006 7:10:37 GMT 10
This is in the Age today, the title will probably make the trolls on the official board go psycho, as they never seem to read the actual articles....
Linky to the article HERE!
And the fun bits here:
Irish contender not a bona fide idol … yet
Down to two: Irishman Damien Leith and Darwin 17-year-old Jessica Mauboy will battle it out at the Opera House next Sunday for the mantle of Australian Idol.
Photo: Anthony Johnson
November 19, 2006
AUSTRALIAN Idol finalist Damien Leith is planning to become a fully fledged Australian in the new year.
The Irish-born singer has a four-year residency visa, making him eligible for a citizenship ceremony in January.
Leith, who is a contender to win the current series of the popular talent show, said it was "absolutely 100 per cent" his goal to become an Australian citizen.
"It's going to be in the early part of next year," he said. "I'm extremely proud (to be living here) and, to be honest, also extremely humbled. It's a bit overwhelming to come here from Ireland and to be taken in so kindly by Australia."
Leith is up against 17-year-old Darwin singer Jessica Mauboy in the grand finale of the series, which will be held next Sunday at the Sydney Opera House.
The contest between the Sydney Irishman and the part-indigenous Northern Territory girl is now "a battle of the fan bases", he said.
Mauboy, who has an Aboriginal mother and Indonesian father, said she was receiving strong support from the indigenous community.
"I have a lot of indigenous friends — they're like 'we look up to you Jess. You're a role model for our mob here', so that's very emotional," she said.
"It feels good to be giving that back, showing people they can believe in themselves."
Leith, 30, is living in Sydney's inner-west with his Australian wife, Eileen Stapleton. They have a young son, Jarvis.
The grand finale is expected to attract a TV audience of more than two million. "If I win it, I'll be proud to be an Australian idol," he said.
"It's kind of weird because Australia came up so many times when I was a child. At one point my family was going to move out here, because of my dad's work."
Both contestants will unveil the "winner's song" on television tonight — a ballad that has been selected by record company Sony BMG for release by the winner when the competition is over.
They will then prepare for the Idol grand finale at the Opera House, featuring appearances by previous contestants and a live performance in the concert hall.
Channel 10 is expected to receive a ratings bonanza this year simply because this year's contestants are more popular with audiences.
Despite flagging viewers last year, this year's series has had its strongest success with audiences since the first series of Australian Idol in 2003.
THE FINALE
THE CONTENDERS Jessica Mauboy and Damien Leith
THE PRIZE A recording contract with Sony BMG.
WHEN 7.30pm, Channel 10.
WHAT HAPPENS TONIGHT Mauboy and Leith perform, and viewers have the week to vote.
NEXT SUNDAY The winner will be announced next Sunday in an outdoor concert on the steps of the Sydney Opera House.
Linky to the article HERE!
And the fun bits here:
Irish contender not a bona fide idol … yet
Down to two: Irishman Damien Leith and Darwin 17-year-old Jessica Mauboy will battle it out at the Opera House next Sunday for the mantle of Australian Idol.
Photo: Anthony Johnson
November 19, 2006
AUSTRALIAN Idol finalist Damien Leith is planning to become a fully fledged Australian in the new year.
The Irish-born singer has a four-year residency visa, making him eligible for a citizenship ceremony in January.
Leith, who is a contender to win the current series of the popular talent show, said it was "absolutely 100 per cent" his goal to become an Australian citizen.
"It's going to be in the early part of next year," he said. "I'm extremely proud (to be living here) and, to be honest, also extremely humbled. It's a bit overwhelming to come here from Ireland and to be taken in so kindly by Australia."
Leith is up against 17-year-old Darwin singer Jessica Mauboy in the grand finale of the series, which will be held next Sunday at the Sydney Opera House.
The contest between the Sydney Irishman and the part-indigenous Northern Territory girl is now "a battle of the fan bases", he said.
Mauboy, who has an Aboriginal mother and Indonesian father, said she was receiving strong support from the indigenous community.
"I have a lot of indigenous friends — they're like 'we look up to you Jess. You're a role model for our mob here', so that's very emotional," she said.
"It feels good to be giving that back, showing people they can believe in themselves."
Leith, 30, is living in Sydney's inner-west with his Australian wife, Eileen Stapleton. They have a young son, Jarvis.
The grand finale is expected to attract a TV audience of more than two million. "If I win it, I'll be proud to be an Australian idol," he said.
"It's kind of weird because Australia came up so many times when I was a child. At one point my family was going to move out here, because of my dad's work."
Both contestants will unveil the "winner's song" on television tonight — a ballad that has been selected by record company Sony BMG for release by the winner when the competition is over.
They will then prepare for the Idol grand finale at the Opera House, featuring appearances by previous contestants and a live performance in the concert hall.
Channel 10 is expected to receive a ratings bonanza this year simply because this year's contestants are more popular with audiences.
Despite flagging viewers last year, this year's series has had its strongest success with audiences since the first series of Australian Idol in 2003.
THE FINALE
THE CONTENDERS Jessica Mauboy and Damien Leith
THE PRIZE A recording contract with Sony BMG.
WHEN 7.30pm, Channel 10.
WHAT HAPPENS TONIGHT Mauboy and Leith perform, and viewers have the week to vote.
NEXT SUNDAY The winner will be announced next Sunday in an outdoor concert on the steps of the Sydney Opera House.
