SUNDAY TELEGRAPH 20th May
May 20, 2007 10:35:27 GMT 10
Post by Roxy on May 20, 2007 10:35:27 GMT 10
Here is an article that appeared in the Sunday Telegraph today with a nice pic of Damien I might add! 
Australian Idol search begins
By Richard Clune
May 20, 2007 12:00
SLEEPING bags and thermals aren't standard pop-star accessories, but they proved as important as a strong voice for the hundreds of hopefuls who auditioned for the next series of Australian Idol in Sydney yesterday.
Eager to become the song contest's next big thing, the motley collection of wannabe crooners spent the night huddled together to keep out the icy conditions that cloaked the audition site.
The sleepover paid off for 16-year-old Rita Rizk, who fronted the queue at Australian Technology Park yesterday.
"I got here at 12.30pm on Friday just to make sure I'd get in. It was a really cold night and I feel a little sick, so I hope my voice is OK,'' Rizk said. "I've been watching the show for years, waiting until I was old enough to audition.''
By 8am the crowd was just over 500, and by late yesterday nearly 2000 people had registered for the auditions.
Last year, Irish-born Damien Leith was crowned champion in front of a televised audience of more than two million people.
Leith, who was on hand to impart some words of encouragement, said the past 12 months had been a blur.
"I can't believe it's a year since I auditioned. It's been an amazing ride, an absolute whirlwind. I never expected to win, so I'm here to tell these guys to have confidence in their abilities.''
Financier Greg Nathan, 31, dressed in a pin-stripe suit, said Leith's win had inspired him to audition for Idol.
"I thought I was getting a little old for something like this, but after watching Damien win last year, I thought I'd give it a shot,'' he said.
The classically-trained Nathan hoped his baritone voice would interest the series' producers.
"I think it's time Australian Idol had a set of better singers,'' he said.
Though not present at yesterday's auditions, returning Australian Idol judge Ian "Dicko'' Dickson said he had been pleased with the quality of performers already discovered.
"We've found some special people, but need some more - we're greedy,'' Dickson said.
Australian Idol search begins
By Richard Clune
May 20, 2007 12:00
SLEEPING bags and thermals aren't standard pop-star accessories, but they proved as important as a strong voice for the hundreds of hopefuls who auditioned for the next series of Australian Idol in Sydney yesterday.
Eager to become the song contest's next big thing, the motley collection of wannabe crooners spent the night huddled together to keep out the icy conditions that cloaked the audition site.
The sleepover paid off for 16-year-old Rita Rizk, who fronted the queue at Australian Technology Park yesterday.
"I got here at 12.30pm on Friday just to make sure I'd get in. It was a really cold night and I feel a little sick, so I hope my voice is OK,'' Rizk said. "I've been watching the show for years, waiting until I was old enough to audition.''
By 8am the crowd was just over 500, and by late yesterday nearly 2000 people had registered for the auditions.
Last year, Irish-born Damien Leith was crowned champion in front of a televised audience of more than two million people.
Leith, who was on hand to impart some words of encouragement, said the past 12 months had been a blur.
"I can't believe it's a year since I auditioned. It's been an amazing ride, an absolute whirlwind. I never expected to win, so I'm here to tell these guys to have confidence in their abilities.''
Financier Greg Nathan, 31, dressed in a pin-stripe suit, said Leith's win had inspired him to audition for Idol.
"I thought I was getting a little old for something like this, but after watching Damien win last year, I thought I'd give it a shot,'' he said.
The classically-trained Nathan hoped his baritone voice would interest the series' producers.
"I think it's time Australian Idol had a set of better singers,'' he said.
Though not present at yesterday's auditions, returning Australian Idol judge Ian "Dicko'' Dickson said he had been pleased with the quality of performers already discovered.
"We've found some special people, but need some more - we're greedy,'' Dickson said.
I was only expecting him to sell five hundred. If they give that many away there will be no one wanting to buy a copy.
