Leinster Leader - "On Top Down Under"
Dec 4, 2006 14:48:56 GMT 10
Post by dededom on Dec 4, 2006 14:48:56 GMT 10
On top down under
Australian Idol Damien is cheered to the rafters at home and away:
By CONOR McHUGH
29 November 2006
Leinster Leader
HE may be living Down Under but Milltown man Damien Leith is on top of the world this week after winning Australian Idol on Sunday night.
Chemist Damien was a surprise winner on the reality show, beating the bookies' favourite Jessica Mauboy (17) from the Northern Territory in one of the most closely-fought finals in the programme's history.
Looking shocked and dazed, Leith hugged and praised Mauboy as fans screamed and cheered. "All I can say is this has been the greatest time of my life. Everything has come my way through this show," he said.
Since the announcement was made in Sydney's Opera House, the 30-year-old father of one hasn't had a moment to draw breath.
"He didn't get to bed until about 3.30am Australian time that night," his sister Áine told the Leinster Leader. "He spoke to me before he went to bed. He was still in shock.
"He couldn't sleep. He was too excited. He told me he had to get up again in two hours because he was involved in media interviews all day long, starting with breakfast TV.
"It's crazy. He still can't believe it. He genuinely didn't believe he would get it. He was absolutely gobsmacked."
Television pictures, available on www.youtube.com, confirmed that Damien was caught unawares by the announcement. He looked dazed and stunned for about 10 seconds and it took another 25 seconds before he could string a full sentence together. Even then it was only to admit: "I'm speechless. I should have thought of something to say."
The announcement was the culmination of a series of events which began with Damien and Jessica being transported to the Opera house in a camel-drawn carriage. As fireworks and celebrations continued outside, both performed, although voting had closed before they started.
"He sang Nessun Dorma again," Damien's pal Dave Kiely told the Leinster Leader, "and the crowd were giving him a standing ovation before he even finished."
Dave joined Áine and a number of neighbours and friends in the house of Noreen Leahy, the Leiths' next door neighbour in Milltown, to watch the show live on a projector.
Damien's prize includes a Mazda car and a lucrative recording contract with Sony BMG. His first single 'The Night of My Life' was released immediately after the show and he has a number of weeks to record the rest of his album in time for the Christmas market.
He spent yesterday (Tuesday) filming the video for the single.
"I remember looking at an encyclopedia, looking at the Opera House when I was very young," Damien said last week. "I can clearly remember it. It's like destiny or fate that I ended up coming here."
He added: "I'm so thrilled with the outcome. It has changed my life. I'm going to work really hard to make music my life-long career."
Members of Kildare County Council, led by Cllr Fiona O'Loughlin, saluted Damien's success on Monday. And bookies have given him super-short odds on having a Christmas number one in Australia, breaking into the charts here, and even recording a duet with diminutive pop princess Kylie Minogue within the next 12 months.
www.kildaretoday.ie/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=3804&ArticleID=1902633
(includes 2 photos)
Caption of photo of family/friends in Milltown:
Winner Damien being cheered to the rafters by family and friends in The Milltown Inn, including Philip and Áine Coe, brother-in-law and sister, and Paul and Michelle Leith, brother and sister-in-law.
Australian Idol Damien is cheered to the rafters at home and away:
By CONOR McHUGH
29 November 2006
Leinster Leader
HE may be living Down Under but Milltown man Damien Leith is on top of the world this week after winning Australian Idol on Sunday night.
Chemist Damien was a surprise winner on the reality show, beating the bookies' favourite Jessica Mauboy (17) from the Northern Territory in one of the most closely-fought finals in the programme's history.
Looking shocked and dazed, Leith hugged and praised Mauboy as fans screamed and cheered. "All I can say is this has been the greatest time of my life. Everything has come my way through this show," he said.
Since the announcement was made in Sydney's Opera House, the 30-year-old father of one hasn't had a moment to draw breath.
"He didn't get to bed until about 3.30am Australian time that night," his sister Áine told the Leinster Leader. "He spoke to me before he went to bed. He was still in shock.
"He couldn't sleep. He was too excited. He told me he had to get up again in two hours because he was involved in media interviews all day long, starting with breakfast TV.
"It's crazy. He still can't believe it. He genuinely didn't believe he would get it. He was absolutely gobsmacked."
Television pictures, available on www.youtube.com, confirmed that Damien was caught unawares by the announcement. He looked dazed and stunned for about 10 seconds and it took another 25 seconds before he could string a full sentence together. Even then it was only to admit: "I'm speechless. I should have thought of something to say."
The announcement was the culmination of a series of events which began with Damien and Jessica being transported to the Opera house in a camel-drawn carriage. As fireworks and celebrations continued outside, both performed, although voting had closed before they started.
"He sang Nessun Dorma again," Damien's pal Dave Kiely told the Leinster Leader, "and the crowd were giving him a standing ovation before he even finished."
Dave joined Áine and a number of neighbours and friends in the house of Noreen Leahy, the Leiths' next door neighbour in Milltown, to watch the show live on a projector.
Damien's prize includes a Mazda car and a lucrative recording contract with Sony BMG. His first single 'The Night of My Life' was released immediately after the show and he has a number of weeks to record the rest of his album in time for the Christmas market.
He spent yesterday (Tuesday) filming the video for the single.
"I remember looking at an encyclopedia, looking at the Opera House when I was very young," Damien said last week. "I can clearly remember it. It's like destiny or fate that I ended up coming here."
He added: "I'm so thrilled with the outcome. It has changed my life. I'm going to work really hard to make music my life-long career."
Members of Kildare County Council, led by Cllr Fiona O'Loughlin, saluted Damien's success on Monday. And bookies have given him super-short odds on having a Christmas number one in Australia, breaking into the charts here, and even recording a duet with diminutive pop princess Kylie Minogue within the next 12 months.
www.kildaretoday.ie/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=3804&ArticleID=1902633
(includes 2 photos)
Caption of photo of family/friends in Milltown:
Winner Damien being cheered to the rafters by family and friends in The Milltown Inn, including Philip and Áine Coe, brother-in-law and sister, and Paul and Michelle Leith, brother and sister-in-law.
