Fifty thousand down to one. That is the incredible challenge
facing the Australian Idol team, and the Australian public,
this year. After the runaway success of the first four
series of Australian Idol, over fifty thousand people
turned out to audition in 2007.
This year the Australian Idol net was cast further afield.
In addition to the search for undiscovered talent in the
major capital cities of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide
and Perth, the Australian Idol road train also pulled
into Canberra, Tamworth, Darwin and Hobart as well as
other regional centres.
Returning this year to lend their industry experience
are our judges Marcia Hines, Mark Holden and Kyle Sandilands.
2007 also sees the return of Ian 'Dicko' Dickson. They
have had the daunting task of whittling down the thousands
upon thousands of people who auditioned to one hundred
people - the cream of the crop from around Australia –
and from there trimming that number down again to the
top thirty.
The judges have had their say and soon it will be the
turn of the Australian public. The top thirty will be
divided into three groups of ten and, over three exciting
weeks, will perform a song to showcase their talent. The
judges will give their feedback but this time it will
be you who decides who goes through to the finals. Three
contestants from each group will go through to the finals
and this will be revealed in a nail-biting show the following
night.
For those contestants that don’t make it through
- and this includes anyone in the top one hundred - their
Australian Idol journey won’t necessarily be over
yet. Ten of them will be selected for a second chance
to make it through to the finals, by performing in the
Wild Card show. Three contestants will make it through
this round, giving Australia their twelve Idol finalists.
And then we reach the “business end” of the
competition with the Australian Idol crown tantalisingly
in sight for our twelve finalists. Each week, in front
of a studio audience filled with screaming fans, they
will sing a song, often based around a particular theme.
You will remember last year that some of the themes included
Big Band, Australian Made and the Eighties. This allows
the contestants to demonstrate their vocal range and versatility.
Again you will be called upon to vote and the contestant
with the lowest votes will be eliminated each week, until
only two remain.
With the excitement, drama and almost unbearable tension
still resonating from last year’s final, a new Australian
Idol will then be anointed in spectacular fashion at the
Sydney Opera House. Utilising your final opportunity to
vote, you will play a crucial role in selecting Australia’s
newest Idol.
With us, every step of the way, will be our hosts, Andrew
G and James Mathison.
About Australian Idol
The concept is simple: after a nationwide search, contestants
are whittled down to a group of semi-finalists who then
hit the Idol stage to sing their hearts out. Viewers
then have the chance to vote them into the coveted Top
12. Each week, members of the Top 12 perform a new song
in a chosen category – from pop to rock to swing
– with the least voted for contestant departing.
Ultimately, the crowned Idol receives a record deal
and an almost guaranteed smash hit, right out of the
gate.
In 2003 Australian Idol was born. Channel [V] VJs Andrew
G and James Mathison took on hosting duties, while the
roles of judges were taken on by legendary diva Marcia
Hines, singer/producer Mark Holden and matter-of-fact
record company guru Ian "Dicko" Dickson.
Australia responded overwhelmingly to seeing its own
undiscovered talent on TV. The spectacular grand final,
broadcast live from the Sydney Opera House, pitted Shannon
Noll against Guy Sebastian in the TV talking point of
the year.
Guy was named the first Australian Idol and went on
to compete in the one-off special World Idol, against
winners of Idol from 11 other countries, with Dicko
joining him on the judging panel.
Today there are 38 Idol programs across the world,
each version bringing a part of its nation’s culture
to the mix.
With each season, Australian Idol has continued to
grow and thrive. This year sees an expanded judging
panel of four and the widest search for talent ever,
making it one of the most anticipated series yet.
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