news articles 12 november

[Inside Australian Idol]

Idol worship snares two
By Luke Dennehy
November 12, 2003

IDOL mania rolled into Melbourne yesterday – and it's about to get bigger.

A national tour featuring all 12 Australian Idol finalists was announced yesterday as Guy Sebastian and Shannon Noll performed to about 2000 screaming girls at Luna Park.

The two seemed genuinely enthused at the adoration, which was a foreign concept to the unknowns just four months ago.

The pair are touring Australia this week and drawing thousands of fans in the lead-up to the grand final at the Sydney Opera House.

"This tour has been fairly hectic," 28-year-old Noll said.

"To see all these fans with just two people, that's a freak out for me."

Noll, who has two young children and fiance Rochelle to support, said he would have been working on wheat silos in his rural NSW hometown of Condobolin if it was not for Australian Idol.

He and his brothers leased the family farm this year after finally succumbing to the brutal drought.

For 21-year-old Sebastian, who is a naturally gifted musician and singer, the competition has made him grow in confidence.

"I couldn't dance and my ex-girlfriend tried to teach me and she just laughed at me," he said.

"I don't know what it was, but this competition has done so much for my confidence."

The two will perform at the final next Wednesday at the Sydney Opera House, along with the other 10 other Australian Idol finalists.

Noll will perform With Arms Wide Open by Creed and Sebastian will perform Change The World by Eric Clapton featuring Babyface.

Herald Sun


www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,7844907%255E28477,00.html

[Inside Australian Idol]

Guy welcomed home
By Lauren McMenemy and Laura Anderson
November 12, 2003

THERE were afro wigs, hand-painted signs and about 7000 screaming fans when Australian Idol's finalists hit Adelaide's Elder Park yesterday.


Fans turn out for Guy and Shannon in Adelaide.


People of all ages showed massive support for local hero, Guy Sebastian, in his first trip home since being named a finalist in television's search for Australia's best vocal performer.

"I can't believe I'm home," he said. "I miss my family, I miss my friends. I wanted to sneak in a bit of a cricket match if time permits, but I don't think it does," he laughed.

He did, however, manage to sneak in a curry at home after arriving late on Monday night.

Big brother Ollie said nothing's changed about Guy post-Idol. "He got home last night and the first thing was, `Oh, is there any food?' That's definitely Guy," he laughed.

"I think the way he's carried himself through this competition, the character that he's shown, is probably more commendable than any performance."

Added Guy's mother, Nellie: "This is so overwhelming, I can't believe people have got up this early to come see Guy."

Sebastian, 22, and New South Wales country lad Shannon Noll, 27, performed live for SAFM's breakfast show.

Noll wasn't intimidated by being on Sebastian's home turf, though. "Oh, it's pretty cool mate," he said with a grin. "I got here and there are a few signs for me around."

Noll said being close mates with Sebastian "definitely makes it easier".

"It would wear thin really quickly if you had to do all this with someone you didn't like," he said.

Both are still in awe at what they've achieved so far.

"Whether it's winner or runner up, it's just an honour to be the first two finalists in the first Australian Idol. It still freaks me out," Sebastian said.

An early start didn't deter passionate fans with about 40 camping overnight.

Kate Boyd, of Blakeview, Amanda Carr, of Craigmore, and Lauren Culshaw, of Andrews Farm, claimed their prime position at 11pm on Monday night.

While Miss Carr, 19, was there for Guy, Miss Culshaw, also 19, was there for Shannon. "Just look at him, he's gorgeous," she said.

The Idols had the crowd in raptures, a couple of schoolgirls bursting into tears on finding the encounter overwhelming, .

Each finalist performed two songs, with Guy's brother Chris, 15, also singing a few notes.

After waiting since 4am, Sarah Morrison and Lauren Davis, both 18 and from Happy Valley, were thrilled to get autographs.

Premier Mike Rann even offered his support, saying Sebastian was a fantastic ambassador for the state.

The mania continued later in the morning at radio station MIX 102.3, with a police entourage, limousines and TV cameras drawing a crowd.

After interviews, Sebastian was quickly bundled into a police car to be taken to BankSA as he had lost his credit card.

Adelaide was the Idols' second stopover in a week-long national tour. Highlights of their Adelaide visit will be screened on Channel 10's Australian Idol special at 7.30pm on Sunday, with the winner announced at the Sydney Opera House next Wednesday.

The Advertiser


www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,7844906%255E28477,00.html