Post by Inside Australian Idol on Dec 23, 2003 21:32:23 GMT 10
World of 'Idol' pursuit
Global pop contest begins with judges baring Klaws
By ELLEN TUMPOSKY
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
Among those singing their hearts out on 'World Idol' is Kelly Clarkson of the U.S.
LONDON - Alexander Klaws, a wholesome 19-year-old who was the German pop idol this year, wraps up his song "Maniac" and faces the panel of 11 international judges.
"World Idol" the international version of "American Idol," began taping here last week. The two-part Fox show starts Christmas Day and ends New Year's Day with a worldwide vote.
"That was radically cheesy, or as we would say in Canada, total fromage," says Canadian judge Zack Werner.
He's more like toast.
Similar comments echo around the panel.
"You must have an amazing personality," Simon Cowell tells Klaws.
"It's very difficult to show in two minutes my personality," counters Klaws.
Eleven contestants who have won their countries' versions of the Idol franchise compete in the show. British bookies have installed American Idol winner Kelly Clarkson as the favorite. She performs "Natural Woman."
Her chief competition is expected to be Eton graduate Will Young, the first winner of "Pop Idol" in Britain, singing "Light My Fire."
In the taping, Clarkson was one of the few contestants to get respect from the judges.
"You already are a world idol, frankly," purred Australian judge Ian Dickson. Even the caustic Polish judge, Kuba Wojewodzki, told her: "You didn't bring me down to my knees, but Kelly - I'd like to find you under my Christmas tree."
British judge Pete Waterman told
Clarkson to curtail her "trills and fills," a criticism she took to heart.
"My mom hates it when I trill," she confesses. "I don't really feel pressure because I'm just being myself.
"With 'American Idol,' I got to showcase myself to the nation," Clarkson says. "The same thing with 'World Idol.' I'm just trying to get my music out there."
Other contestants hail from Holland, Australia, South Africa, Poland, Canada, Belgium and Norway, while Diana Karzon - the only contestant to sing in a language other than English - represents the "Pan Arabic" countries.
After the taping, Cowell held court in his dressing room and turned his trademark vitriol on his fellow judges.
"Every one of these people has based themselves on my character. They think it's cool to be me," he says.
Cowell was particularly nasty about Werner, who told Will Young - a Cowell talent client - that his version of "Light My Fire" was like the Bee Gees doing the Doors.
"He's a failed artist who doesn't know what he is talking about," Cowell says.
"World Idol" is a tricky concept for Cowell. "The problem is you've got 11 winners and 10 of them are now losers," he says.
Popular enthusiasm for an underdog, he predicts, could favor Guy Sebastian, 22, the Australian idol, and Norwegian Kurt Nilsen, a former plumber.
Another dark horse is Belgian Peter Evrard, whose goatee grabs as much attention as his Nirvana number "Lithium."
It's all a bit much for Cowell.
"Idol," he says, "is an insane show which works."
Originally published on December 23, 2003
www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/story/148413p-130943c.html
Global pop contest begins with judges baring Klaws
By ELLEN TUMPOSKY
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
Among those singing their hearts out on 'World Idol' is Kelly Clarkson of the U.S.
LONDON - Alexander Klaws, a wholesome 19-year-old who was the German pop idol this year, wraps up his song "Maniac" and faces the panel of 11 international judges.
"World Idol" the international version of "American Idol," began taping here last week. The two-part Fox show starts Christmas Day and ends New Year's Day with a worldwide vote.
"That was radically cheesy, or as we would say in Canada, total fromage," says Canadian judge Zack Werner.
He's more like toast.
Similar comments echo around the panel.
"You must have an amazing personality," Simon Cowell tells Klaws.
"It's very difficult to show in two minutes my personality," counters Klaws.
Eleven contestants who have won their countries' versions of the Idol franchise compete in the show. British bookies have installed American Idol winner Kelly Clarkson as the favorite. She performs "Natural Woman."
Her chief competition is expected to be Eton graduate Will Young, the first winner of "Pop Idol" in Britain, singing "Light My Fire."
In the taping, Clarkson was one of the few contestants to get respect from the judges.
"You already are a world idol, frankly," purred Australian judge Ian Dickson. Even the caustic Polish judge, Kuba Wojewodzki, told her: "You didn't bring me down to my knees, but Kelly - I'd like to find you under my Christmas tree."
British judge Pete Waterman told
Clarkson to curtail her "trills and fills," a criticism she took to heart.
"My mom hates it when I trill," she confesses. "I don't really feel pressure because I'm just being myself.
"With 'American Idol,' I got to showcase myself to the nation," Clarkson says. "The same thing with 'World Idol.' I'm just trying to get my music out there."
Other contestants hail from Holland, Australia, South Africa, Poland, Canada, Belgium and Norway, while Diana Karzon - the only contestant to sing in a language other than English - represents the "Pan Arabic" countries.
After the taping, Cowell held court in his dressing room and turned his trademark vitriol on his fellow judges.
"Every one of these people has based themselves on my character. They think it's cool to be me," he says.
Cowell was particularly nasty about Werner, who told Will Young - a Cowell talent client - that his version of "Light My Fire" was like the Bee Gees doing the Doors.
"He's a failed artist who doesn't know what he is talking about," Cowell says.
"World Idol" is a tricky concept for Cowell. "The problem is you've got 11 winners and 10 of them are now losers," he says.
Popular enthusiasm for an underdog, he predicts, could favor Guy Sebastian, 22, the Australian idol, and Norwegian Kurt Nilsen, a former plumber.
Another dark horse is Belgian Peter Evrard, whose goatee grabs as much attention as his Nirvana number "Lithium."
It's all a bit much for Cowell.
"Idol," he says, "is an insane show which works."
Originally published on December 23, 2003
www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/story/148413p-130943c.html