news articles 21 november

[Inside Australian Idol]

Idol already a fading star
By Tony Davis
November 21, 2003


It's just 16 hours since he was declared a star, and Guy Sebastian is already fading.

It's something to do with the PR man waking him up for radio interviews at 5.30, less than three hours after he went to sleep.

Sebastian says that on no night in the past week has he had more than five hours' sleep and there were two nights when he didn't go to bed at all.

Tired or not, Sebastian proves highly articulate. And he has already demonstrated a determination that has surprised those around him. It has included demanding the right to record some of his own songs on his forthcoming album and sending back the company-selected songs he didn't like.

"I've been pretty difficult for BMG . . . causing everyone to panic and find better songs. But the result is an album in which every song I'm cool with."

If the afro-haired, Malaysian-born Sebastian is going to complete the Australian Idol fairytale and become a fully fledged pop star, he's certainly not going to be a cliched one, something reinforced when the interview is broken off twice - when his grandmother rings, followed by his mother.

"I'm just doing an interview," he says softly into handpiece. "I'll ring you as soon as I can. I love you."

He talks easily of his Christian faith and of his virginity.

"I'm a human like everyone else and I'm going to do stupid things like everyone does. But at the end of the day I've just got to try my best to be the best role model I can given the position that has been so incredibly handed to me."

Sebastian is not quite the industry virgin though. He's had an independent lawyer go over the new BMG recording contract and is aware that he is unlikely to see much of its nominal "$1 million" value.

"People's view of the record industry is a bit weird. They think you are going to make all your money from albums, but they cost so much to record.

"You make your money from your live performances, your merchandising and your songwriting." If he can pay rent, he says, that's enough.

Sebastian believes he can achieve something else with his music too.

"One song on the album has a real Justin Timberlake groove. A lot of that type of music can be really sexual, but this goes . . . "

He begins to sing in his soulful, cartwheeling voice: "I think I've just found the girl I might marry."

Then adds: "It beats, 'I've just found a girl I might have sex with tonight and ditch in the morning'."

www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/11/20/1069027257519.html

[Inside Australian Idol]

In the middle of a whirlwind

By Sydney Confidential's NAOMI TOY

November 21, 2003


Man of the moment...Guy Sebastian was the focus of media attention at Channel Ten yesterday.

DAY one on the job of being Australia's Idol and Guy Sebastian yesterday looked like he should be spending the next week in bed.


There's been no time for rest and relaxation during the past fortnight and he had been up since 5.30am fulfilling a publicity schedule which doesn't appear to have left time for lunch.

Tomorrow he heads to the recording studio to complete his first album – in eight days.


After that it's off to London for World Idol to take on 10 others who have won national talent quests.


Little wonder the 21-year-old church-going former singing teacher is yet to come to terms with his new status and the impact it will have on his life.


"It's weird, I don't know what to think, I don't know how to feel," he told The Daily Telegraph.


"I had a two-minute toilet break before and it started to sink in, but then I got called out again.


"Last night I was sitting on a chair and I was thinking, 'Should I be doing this, am I supposed to be doing this, what should I be doing, I don't know what to do'.


"It's a bit of a freak-out but I'm just going to breathe as much of it in as I can and I'm not going to take it for granted. It's a once in a lifetime opportunity."


While the tussle for the title between Sebastian and Shannon Noll was enough to attract record viewers and an estimated 20 million votes, both face the prospect of fleeting fame.


Reality stars often have a short shelf life, now we have to wait and see how far the Idol phenomenon will carry Guy.


Sebastian's approach is to be himself and he remains confident this will launch the music career that he desires.


"I'm not in it to get recognised," he said.


"I just want people to listen to my music and get good vibes from it. As long as that continues, I'm cool.


"Even if I'm not singing it, if I'm writing the songs behind the scenes or producing, it's great."


Either way his life has changed forever. He is recognised around Australia, everyone knows his first name and that he's a virgin.


"My life as I knew it is very different now. It's very public and it's very shared," he said.


"I've shared my whole life and I haven't held back anything from anyone, whereas I used to be very private and not many people knew anything about me.


"It's not like I'd rather be doing that [teaching] right now than all these exciting things I'm doing now. There's a season for everything."

dailytelegraph.news.com.au/story.jsp?sectionid=1260&storyid=520976

[Inside Australian Idol]

Tired and promotional

November 21, 2003


Larrikin . . . Australian Idol runner-up Shannon Noll yesterday. Picture: SAM RUTTYN

WITH no sleep and maybe a few too many beers the night before, Shannon Noll could do with his sunnies while he sits on the roof of Ten's offices for a string of back-to-back interviews.


But when the man who beat him to the title of Australian Idol pinches them off his head, he doesn't put up a fight. He just offers a light-hearted jibe.

"That's the lowest thing you could do to me," he calls after Guy Sebastian. "You want the crown and the sunglasses. You can't wear them both, buddy."


The 27-year-old from Condobolin has had no sleep but his larrikin streak is still a mile wide and his belief that he can crack it in the music business is as firm as ever.


He's still in discussions with BMG about a record contract but first he just wants to see his home and spend time with his family.


In the past fortnight he's only seen his two boys, Cody, 2, and Blake, 10 months, for a total of about three hours.


"I've about had enough on that side of the scale," he told Confidential yesterday.


"I'm looking forward to getting home again with Roch [his fiancee] and the boys.


"I'm not worried about work in the future if I've got to work hard, but I'm just liking the idea that I can come home to my home, not just a house."


But it's likely to be only a short trip home before he returns to Sydney to negotiate a contract and look at setting up in the big smoke permanently.


"I've got to come back and talk to them [BMG] about it. I don't know where I really stand at the moment with anyone.


"They've [BMG] got the option on the contract as they did with all the 12 finalists but I'll duck home and come back in a week or so and then ask them where I stand."


The support he garnered around Australia is a pretty good answer to that.

dailytelegraph.news.com.au/story.jsp?sectionid=1266&storyid=520457

[Inside Australian Idol]

Idol sets TV record
November 21, 2003


THE 'fro didn't just beat the bloke from Condobolin - Australian Idol Guy Sebastian also has beaten almost every ratings record in our TV history.



Indeed, it seems it was the most-watched single non-sporting telecast ever.

At its peak, 3.65 million viewers were glued to Ten's coverage from the Opera House on Wednesday and it averaged out at more than 65 per cent of the television audience.

Man landing on the moon, by comparison, only managed a touch over 50 per cent audience share.

While sporting events like the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games and footy finals have achieved higher ratings of up to five million viewers, the show seems to be a record for a non-sporting event for a single network.

More Australians watched events like the funeral of Princess Di and the day-after coverage of September 11, but those viewers were split between a number of networks.

Ten staffers spent yesterday sorting through the history books to try to confirm the record.

The Daily Telegraph

entertainment.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4459,7931515%255E10229%255E%255Enbv,00.html

[Inside Australian Idol]

Courtney collars contract
From Sydney Confidential
November 21, 2003


WHILE Guy got his hair around the idea that he'd just been handed a $1 million recording contract, one clever chap, or chick, Courtney Act, was celebrating the very same thing.


Courtney set to be a star.

BMG has signed the drag queen Idol with her first single due out in the second week of January, Confidential has discovered.

Big Brother runner-up Chrissie Swan, now breakfast radio DJ for Hot FM on the Sunshine Coast, was on hand to ask Courtney all about it.

While celebrating with every girl's best friend - a full glass of Chandon - on Wednesday night, Courtney was sporting every girl's other best buddy - diamonds.

A $100,000 white gold and princess cut diamond collar designed by Adrian Lewis from South Yarra, Melbourne, kept her shining throughout her performance.

The designer created Paris Hilton's diamonds on the catwalk for Wayne Cooper at Melbourne Fashion week.

The Daily Telegraph

entertainment.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4459,7931518%255E7484%255E%255Enbv,00.html

[Inside Australian Idol]

PRESS RELEASE

Guy Sebastian is Centrebet's second favourite for World Idol contest!

Australian Idol winner Guy Sebastian is Centrebet's second favourite to
take out the World Idol competition, with the leading online bookmaker
accepting bets at 4.00 that he beats Kelly Clarkson, Will Young and eight
other performers to the title.

Worldwide chart topper Clarkson is Centrebet's market leader at 3.00. The
American superstar trades ahead of Sebastian (4.00), Young (4.50), Heinz
Winckler (9.00), Ryan Malcolm (10.00), Alexander Klaws (13.00), Jamai Loman
(15.00), Kurt Nilsen (17.00), Alicja Janosz (21.00), Peter Evrard (26.00)
and Diana Karazon (34.00).

"Sebastian is ready to take on the music world and poses Clarkson's biggest
threat," says Centrebet's Gerard Daffy. "The Fro's performance of Climb
Every Mountain won him the Australian contest. If he can reproduce the
magic of that unforgettable night then he must go close to winning the
global competition. He is an amazing talent."

Log on to www.centrebet.com to view its latest prices, including
Miss World odds. Miss Australia, Olivia Stratton, is 51.00 to win the
famous beauty pageant.

About Centrebet

The world's first online sports betting agency, Centrebet's explosive
growth continues ten years on from its launch. Punters are flocking to
Centrebet because of its better odds, comprehensive sports betting options
and guaranteed payment of winnings.

Centrebet operates in the world's strictest gaming jurisdiction.
Australia's Northern Territory Government licenses Centrebet. Its Racing &
Gaming Commission digitally monitors all transactions for the protection of
Centrebet and its worldwide clients.

[Inside Australian Idol]

Idolise my ideals, Guy urges Australian Idol fans
Luke Dennehy and Kathy McCabe
21nov03

AUSTRALIAN Idol winner Guy Sebastian has vowed to be a good role model for young Australians.



The day after: Guy Sebastion (right) and runner-up Shannon Noll relax yesterday after their tiring schedule.
Picture: Sam Ruttyn

The elated but exhausted 22-year-old yesterday said he would stick with his no booze, no drugs, no sex-before-marriage stand despite his new-found stardom.
"It just seems like you have to do that to be cool now, and I sort of want to be different," he said.

"I choose the way I am, and it's very difficult and you get slagged off a lot.

"I love women like every other bloke does, and rumours start because I haven't lapped it up like some other people.

"But I know there's probably more people that are glad that I'm not doing that stuff, than there are if I was doing those things."

Sebastian told the Herald Sun he has worked with street kids before and hopes he will have a positive influence on young Australians with his stand on drugs, sex and alcohol.

The devout Christian and former Adelaide music teacher was still coming to grips with his victory yesterday.

"It's like something else has got me here," he said.

"I just had no confidence before this whole thing as far as performing goes, it's just weird.

"I don't know where it came from."

Sebastian had just three hours' sleep after beating NSW farmer Shannon Noll in a glittering finale to the hit Channel 10 series at the Sydney Opera House on Wednesday night.

Sebastian will release his first single, Angels Brought Me Here, on Monday, with the film clip and track already completed.

The single is expected to debut at No. 1, with an album to follow.

Sebastian, who has a mixture of Sri Lankan, Portuguese and Indian blood, said both he and Noll were winners.

"We had a bit of a celebration together. He's got everything to celebrate, just like I do," he said.

"It's not like there's anyone that has come off second best, it's like there is two winners."

Sebastian is lucky BMG Records – with whom he won a recording contract – has chosen some of the best producers in the country to record his debut album.

BMG A&R boss Ross Fraser, who has been John Farnham's producer since Whispering Jack, has hand-picked songs from hitmakers around the world for Sebastian to record.

The Rockmelons' Bryon Jones will executive produce with Craig Porteils (Diesel) and Michael Szumowski (Disco Montego) also working on songs in several Sydney studios.

Sebastian's track listing will also include two or three of his own co-written tunes as well as When Doves Cry and one or two other covers he performed during the series.

Idol runner-up Shannon Noll may still score a record deal early next year after his story captivated the nation.

Noll is likely to be developed as a Jimmy Barnes-meets-Bruce Springsteen belter who appeals to not only his rural heartland but the suburbs.


www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,7928038%255E2902,00.html

[Inside Australian Idol]

Has Guy made God cool again
By Vivienne Oakley
November 21, 2003

GUY Sebastian, the 'bro with the fro' who won the title of Australian Idol on Wednesday, was quick to thank God - literally - for his victory.


Australian Idol Guy Sebastian / AAP


His prayers before taking the stage at the Sydney Opera House were in contrast to an industry often linked with the dark, steamy side of life.

Even outside the rock world, being a Christian teenager is not the easiest path, with religion no longer the social norm.

At a time when churches in Australia have been struggling to remain relevant to young people, the 22-year-old is open about the role God plays in his life.

A music teacher, Guy Sebastian is a member of Adelaide's popular Paradise Community Church.

The church, aligned with the Assemblies of God pentecostal churches, has a congregation of 4500, with half of those under the age of 30.

Paradise Pastor Ashley Evans believes Guy's profile will help make God cool again for young people and show them they have options in life.

Guy has spoken about his decisions not to drink alcohol, take drugs or have sex before marriage.

"There are a lot of positive peer pressure messages in what he is saying," Pastor Evans said.

"Those positive messages are one of the great things to come out of his faith.

"Young people know there's more to life than the acquisition of material things.

"They are spiritual. They want to find something they can connect to. It's not just about the music and the lights and the worship, but feeling something deep in your heart."

Sydney's Catholic Youth Services director Lyndon Cox said there's no doubt Guy's image and national profile would help attract other young people to church.

"I think image is a big factor for all churches when it comes to young people," he said.

"To have a young guy who is quite cool on one of the highest-rating shows in Australia will have a big impact."

However he admitted not everyone within the church agreed that a cool image was something that the organisation should be concerned with.

Having a strong focus on young people - attracting them to the church and retaining them in parishes after they finish a Catholic education - is a top priority.

"There are a lot of positive things happening," Mr Cox said.

"Being involved with a church has a lot of advantages for young people - it helps them deal with the highs and lows of life today.

"To give them hope, give them strength and help them look forward to something is a blessing."

A study, published by the American Psychological Association earlier, this year found that teenagers with no religious faith were twice as likely to turn to drugs or alcohol when faced with hardship.

The study tracked more than 1000 high school students for four years to measure the "buffering effect" of religion.

Students who placed a high value on religion were half as likely to turn to drugs when confronted with serious problems such as unemployment or serious illness in the family.

At the same time, a key Australian survey showed that boredom may be the biggest threat to Christianity - potentially an issue of style over substance.

The National Church Life Survey, which is conducted every four years, found the age group least represented in church life was people in their 20s.

Only 9 per cent of people aged between 20 and 29 attended church, although that age bracket comprised 19 per cent of the Australian population.

The survey also found that only 23 per cent of those aged 15 to 18 were very satisfied with what was offered to them at church and that figure fell to 18 per cent among those aged 19 to 25 years.

The Anglican church's Sydney diocesan Youthworks chief executive Alan Stewart said meeting those needs was a key element in delivering the message of Jesus to young people.

"You have to talk to young people on their own terms - and if that means turn the music up, then so be it," he said.

"To have a young person (Sebastian) come out and win something like this and name the name of Jesus is terrific."

Reverend Stewart said the message to young people from Guy was that they can love Jesus and still be cool.

"Churches can be alive and dynamic," he said. "This may make it easier for some young people to get involved."

While traditional churches are working to reverse the trend of dwindling numbers of young people, the newer, more evangelical churches are doing a better job of attracting and keeping them.

Music appears to be a strong factor in the appeal of evangelical Christianity to the young. Bands, a rock beat, enthusiastic choirs and contemporary lyrics are combined with the Christian message in many evangelical services.

In Perth, former tennis great Margaret Court runs a church in which song is a key component.

THE Victory Life Centre is an evangelical church in which about 40 per cent of its 1400 members are under the age of 30.

"We have wonderful music and worship," she said. "Music is real to young people. Then we help them and restore their life.

"It's great to have role models like this young man. I know what it's like to have a gift from God."

Back in South Australia, Pastor Evans is waiting to see if his congregation swells in light of all the publicity.

"This is a demonstration to young people that there are alternatives in their spiritual quest which are powerful and life-changing," he said.

"They need to experience that for themselves."

The Daily Telegraph


www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,7931582%255E13780,00.html

[Inside Australian Idol]

Telecast a record and that's no idle boast
Emma Chalmers and Simon Yeaman
21nov03


MORE than 3.3 million Australians watched as Guy Sebastian was crowned Australia's Idol on Wednesday night, the biggest TV audience for a program this year.

Channel 10 succeeded in nabbing the top spot after the network cannily split the three-hour extravaganza in half for ratings purposes, despite advertising the finale as one program in television guides.

The second program in the telecast, Australian Idol Final Verdict, proved the most popular with 3.3 million tuning in, while Australian Idol: Live from the Opera House recorded 2.5 million viewers.

In Queensland, the two shows took out the top spots for the night with 525,791 viewers and 442,667 respectively.

While Ten was celebrating its win yesterday, there was precious little partying for Sebastian.

While many VIPs were nursing hangovers from the Australian Idol after-party, Sebastian was up at 5.30am to start a gruelling round of interviews with print, radio and television journalists, which continued on well into the night.

Today he goes into BMG's Sydney studio to start recording his debut album, to be released on December 8.

"It's a got a bit of everything, its got a bit of Timberlake flavour, Justin Timberlake, a bit of a pop flavour, a bit of an R&B flavour," Sebastian said.

His debut single, Angels Bought Me Here, went to radio yesterday and will be released on Monday.

The album is set to contain a number of songs handpicked by BMG's Ross Fraser, who has been John Farnham's producer since Whispering Jack.

Sebastian's track listing will also include two or three tunes he has co-written, as well as When Doves Cry and other covers.

It is estimated the debut album will sell more than 140,000 copies before Christmas, but his long-term future remains unclear.

The Courier-Mail's music writer, Noel Mengel, said Sebastian's potential for success was unknown but the young singer could make waves courtesy of the World Idol competition.

"The World Idol is such a new concept that he could get on that and really shine," Mengel said.

"However, it is extremely difficult for Australian artists to get a profile overseas and maintain it."

www.thecouriermail.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,7926741%255E953,00.html

[Inside Australian Idol]

Idol show's appeal to the heart
Editorial
21nov03
GUY Sebastian is a vocal teacher from suburban Adelaide of whom most Australians would have known nothing were it not for his heartfelt and, ultimately, winning performances on the Australian Idol television series.

That many Australians now care very much what happens to him shows that the appeal of the traditional talent quest, not to mentioned that of so-called reality TV, has not waned. Yet Australian Idol was a cut above the usual reality fare that relies on the voyeuristic thrill of watching ordinary people coping with contrived situations. The national goodwill felt towards the singer after he won the competition this week gave an insight into the show's extraordinary popularity. More than 3.6 million people tuned in to the final show on Wednesday night, making it the most watched program for the year so far. But for the show's creators, the final was likely to be only the first reward for conjuring a viewing habit that became a national obsession afflicting everyone from young children to their grandfathers. Thousands of viewers across the country tuned in each week to follow the progress of the contestants, lucky and talented enough themselves to have survived the initial culling from 10,000 hopefuls who auditioned at the start of the competition.

Sebastian and runner-up Shannon Noll, who hails from country NSW, were the best of friends by the time they were pitted against each other. Their mutual affection added to the attraction of a program that eschewed the sexual innuendo and divisive plotting which seemed a crucial part of some reality TV shows that had gone before it. The whole family could watch and no one would be uncomfortable. But Australian Idol's essential appeal was its utility for the contestants to take their singing talent and knack for performing, and change their futures. What is more, unlike previous talent shows, Sebastian's fate was not left to jaded judges (although their presence was felt painfully enough through their often withering criticism) but to the viewers themselves.

For Sebastian, there has been little time to savour his win. He is apparently busy recording songs for the album that is part of his prize for winning Australian Idol. But any analysis of the secret of his success would rely in large part on the instinctive Australian attraction to the underdog. His unremarkable life in Adelaide before the show was one with which most would identify. And what the future holds for him now is what many would wish for themselves. Sebastian has a genuine talent that, were it not for his decision to take a gamble and audition for the show, would most likely have been recognised only by his students and friends back in Adelaide. Now his voice, unassisted by slick sound engineers in a music studio, is instantly recognised by thousands of Australians.


www.thecouriermail.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,7924425%255E13360,00.html

[Inside Australian Idol]

Australian Idols rock on . . . and on

21nov03

THE partying went on 'til at least 6am yesterday as cast and crew celebrated the wild success of the Australian Idol finale.


Chic: "Courtney Act" arrives at the Sydney Opera House for the final.
Picture: Matthew Vasilescu

The action kicked off at the official after-party within the Sydney Opera House, but all the real action was at the separate and exclusive BMG after-party at hip Sydney spot Bridge Bar.
Then they moved on to music industry hotspot the Iguana Bar. Winner Guy Sebastian celebrated until 1am, before leaving to stay at a secret location.

Judge of iron

AMONG the party-goers, judge Ian "Dicko" Dickson deserves a medal for stamina.

He went straight from the bar to his shift on breakfast radio on 2Day FM.

Dicko wasn't the only one that was still raging away at that time.

Shannon Noll was there with his family, including fiancee Rochelle, and was obviously enjoying the fact that the pressure was off.

Idol finalists Robert "Millsy" Mills, Rebekah La Vauney, Matt Chadwick, Shane Jenec (otherwise known as Courtney Act, Stu Campbell, Axle Whitehead and Yolande Jackson and host James Mathison were also at Iguana Bar to the end.

Lone voice

COSIMA De Vito continues to be a talking point among everyone involved in Idol, especially the final 12.

One of the 12 told The Eye that some of the finalists still aren't happy with her because they felt she should have withdrawn earlier because she always knew she had a problem with her throat.

At Bridge Bar De Vito generally kept to herself, especially not going anywhere near Paulini and Rebekah. She is heading back to Perth this weekend.