"Facing Harsh Reality' Courier Mail (Bris)14.4
Apr 14, 2007 9:48:01 GMT 10
Post by christyl on Apr 14, 2007 9:48:01 GMT 10
Fame does not guarantee success, especially for reality TV stars, writes Michael Gadd.
For every Guy Sebastian, there is a Casey Donovan and every Jamie Brooksby can be countered with a Ben Williams or Peter Corbett.
It's no scecret that fame can be found with a few months, even weeks, in front of a TV camera.
But whether it be a singing contest or simply subjecting themselves to the gaze of millions in a human fishbowl such as the Big Brother house, the result of winning a reality TV show can fary from outstanding to absolute obscurity.
As the final fo the third series of Australia's Next Top Model and The Biggest Loser 2 approach, and new series of Australian Idol and Big Brother loom, what do the bright -eyed participants not gauranteed a cent from their involvement have to look forward to?...
(*NB: this is a long article, some parts I have not included*)
...
The televised karaoke hit Australian Idol promises young talent a foo-in-the-door to the lucky dip that is the music industry, unprecedented exposure, and for one in each series, a record deal.
Bizarrely, the show's runners-up have gone significantly better than winners. Original winner Guy Sebastian has kept his profile kicking over since his 2002 victory, but his runner-up Shannon Noll has been a more dominant force in the charts.
Sebastian's successor Case Donovan fell from grace quickly.One hit single, a flopped debut album and the teenager was dumped by Sony BMG, the show's affiliate record label.
Her runner-up Anthony Calea has a loyal followingand a stong presence on the charts.
The third Australian Idol, Kate De Araugo, has been forced to join three other previous contestants to form the Young Divas, a group which has achieved moderate success singing covers of once huge disco hits.
Irish-born crooner Damien Leith has bucked the trend since his win last season. An Australian Idol winner usually releases a rushed album of original songs, usually not their own, which hits the top of the charts, then drops out just as fast.
But Leiths The Winner's Journey, a collection of his performances from the show, debuted at No.3 and rose to No.1 and stayed there for more than a month. The great test will be when his original album is released.
.......If his promotional duties are to be believed, a gym and sandwich company Subway can be credited for The Biggest Loser's first Australian winner Adro Sarnelli's weight loss.
But his weight loss can largely be attributed to the show. Other contestants have become motivational speakers. The Biggest Loser is a rarity in reality TV, providing benefits to the contestants who lose weight and potentially win money, and the network, with the show being a rating hit.
A new winner will be crowned on April 26.
The flip side has been Seven's attempts at singing contests. the first, Popstars, rated well as the first Australian TV karaoke fest.
The only member of the group it produced, Bardot, to remain in the spotlight is Sophie Monk, who is attempting a dual Hollywood and singing career.
Tiffani Wood signed a solo deal with Warner, as did Monk, but unlike Monk she was dumped and is not attempting to carve out an independant career.
For every Guy Sebastian, there is a Casey Donovan and every Jamie Brooksby can be countered with a Ben Williams or Peter Corbett.
It's no scecret that fame can be found with a few months, even weeks, in front of a TV camera.
But whether it be a singing contest or simply subjecting themselves to the gaze of millions in a human fishbowl such as the Big Brother house, the result of winning a reality TV show can fary from outstanding to absolute obscurity.
As the final fo the third series of Australia's Next Top Model and The Biggest Loser 2 approach, and new series of Australian Idol and Big Brother loom, what do the bright -eyed participants not gauranteed a cent from their involvement have to look forward to?...
(*NB: this is a long article, some parts I have not included*)
...
The televised karaoke hit Australian Idol promises young talent a foo-in-the-door to the lucky dip that is the music industry, unprecedented exposure, and for one in each series, a record deal.
Bizarrely, the show's runners-up have gone significantly better than winners. Original winner Guy Sebastian has kept his profile kicking over since his 2002 victory, but his runner-up Shannon Noll has been a more dominant force in the charts.
Sebastian's successor Case Donovan fell from grace quickly.One hit single, a flopped debut album and the teenager was dumped by Sony BMG, the show's affiliate record label.
Her runner-up Anthony Calea has a loyal followingand a stong presence on the charts.
The third Australian Idol, Kate De Araugo, has been forced to join three other previous contestants to form the Young Divas, a group which has achieved moderate success singing covers of once huge disco hits.
Irish-born crooner Damien Leith has bucked the trend since his win last season. An Australian Idol winner usually releases a rushed album of original songs, usually not their own, which hits the top of the charts, then drops out just as fast.
But Leiths The Winner's Journey, a collection of his performances from the show, debuted at No.3 and rose to No.1 and stayed there for more than a month. The great test will be when his original album is released.
.......If his promotional duties are to be believed, a gym and sandwich company Subway can be credited for The Biggest Loser's first Australian winner Adro Sarnelli's weight loss.
But his weight loss can largely be attributed to the show. Other contestants have become motivational speakers. The Biggest Loser is a rarity in reality TV, providing benefits to the contestants who lose weight and potentially win money, and the network, with the show being a rating hit.
A new winner will be crowned on April 26.
The flip side has been Seven's attempts at singing contests. the first, Popstars, rated well as the first Australian TV karaoke fest.
The only member of the group it produced, Bardot, to remain in the spotlight is Sophie Monk, who is attempting a dual Hollywood and singing career.
Tiffani Wood signed a solo deal with Warner, as did Monk, but unlike Monk she was dumped and is not attempting to carve out an independant career.
