"I'm a proud Australian - FAMOUS mag
Dec 7, 2006 13:46:14 GMT 10
Post by murfinator on Dec 7, 2006 13:46:14 GMT 10
A week after his win, Damien has proven to his critics that a "butt ugly" Irishman can be our Idol.
He won Idol fair and square, but Damien Leith has still had to convince some fans he deserved the victory.
Despite having permanent residency in Australia and being only months away from becoming a full citizen, Damien has copped criticism because he hails from County Kildare in Ireland.
But he says the result of this year's competition is proof that Australians have taken him under their wing.
"I have been accepted and warmly welcomed," the 30 year old says.
"I'm extremely proud and, to be honest, also extremely humbled. It's a bit overwhelming to come all the way here from Ireland and to be taken in so kindly by Australia."
Damien admits that his success, including winning a recording contract with label Sony BMG, is something he would not have been able to achieve back in Ireland.
"Being discovered in Australia is a fantastic thing and something I'm really proud of," the singer explains to FAMOUS.
"When you're back in your own country, you don't push yourself as much because everyone knows you. When you go somewhere else, you have something to show that no one has seen before so you push yourself a lot more."
Throughout the Idol journey, Damien also faced fierce criticism from the judges, especially Mark Holden - who called him "ugly bastard", butt ugly" and "bog irish". But the dad of one tells Famous it was worth every moment.
"You weigh it all up as you're going along and you're getting a taste of what it could be like if you did win. All the sacrifices have been well worth it - 100 per cent," he says.
Having quit his job as a chemist, Damien is currently in the throes of promoting a CD/DVD souvenir pack of his experiences on the show, which includes his performances of Neesun Dorma, Crying, Hallelujah and Wicked Game, as well as the now infamous Celebration debacle.
His debut single, Night of my life, was released last week and also features one of his own original songs, Come to Me.
"It's an acoustic song, just me playing the piano and singing, but I think it's really beautiful so I'm over the moon about that," he says.
Damien's first studio album, which he hopes will include more of his original work, it due out early next year.
"It's the start of a new chapter for me and I don't think it's an easy one," he admits.
"I think it could be an awful lot harder than the one I've just experienced, especially with all the expectation. It's just about trying to keep the momentum going and not losing the energy along the way.
"It's exciting times ahead"
He won Idol fair and square, but Damien Leith has still had to convince some fans he deserved the victory.
Despite having permanent residency in Australia and being only months away from becoming a full citizen, Damien has copped criticism because he hails from County Kildare in Ireland.
But he says the result of this year's competition is proof that Australians have taken him under their wing.
"I have been accepted and warmly welcomed," the 30 year old says.
"I'm extremely proud and, to be honest, also extremely humbled. It's a bit overwhelming to come all the way here from Ireland and to be taken in so kindly by Australia."
Damien admits that his success, including winning a recording contract with label Sony BMG, is something he would not have been able to achieve back in Ireland.
"Being discovered in Australia is a fantastic thing and something I'm really proud of," the singer explains to FAMOUS.
"When you're back in your own country, you don't push yourself as much because everyone knows you. When you go somewhere else, you have something to show that no one has seen before so you push yourself a lot more."
Throughout the Idol journey, Damien also faced fierce criticism from the judges, especially Mark Holden - who called him "ugly bastard", butt ugly" and "bog irish". But the dad of one tells Famous it was worth every moment.
"You weigh it all up as you're going along and you're getting a taste of what it could be like if you did win. All the sacrifices have been well worth it - 100 per cent," he says.
Having quit his job as a chemist, Damien is currently in the throes of promoting a CD/DVD souvenir pack of his experiences on the show, which includes his performances of Neesun Dorma, Crying, Hallelujah and Wicked Game, as well as the now infamous Celebration debacle.
His debut single, Night of my life, was released last week and also features one of his own original songs, Come to Me.
"It's an acoustic song, just me playing the piano and singing, but I think it's really beautiful so I'm over the moon about that," he says.
Damien's first studio album, which he hopes will include more of his original work, it due out early next year.
"It's the start of a new chapter for me and I don't think it's an easy one," he admits.
"I think it could be an awful lot harder than the one I've just experienced, especially with all the expectation. It's just about trying to keep the momentum going and not losing the energy along the way.
"It's exciting times ahead"
..well at least i think.
