news articles 17 May

[Ava]

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Paulini's first album
From Sydney Confidential
May 17, 2004


THINGS have definitely picked up for Idol star Paulini Curuenavuli.




The show's former contestant, unfortunately better known for the wardrobe malfunction that was that gold dress, was only months ago was waiting by the phone in the hope of hearing from a record company.

Now she is on the verge of producing her first album.

The Fijian-born singer, who signed with Sony soon after her obligations with BMG ended has spent the last month recording her first album, a collection of cover songs.

The 21-year-old, who admits she's still happily living with the folks in Bankstown, talks the music star talk like a pro.

"The sound that's going to come out of this album is very organic ... really straight up," she said.

"I couldn't have asked for anything better.

"This is my dream come true, I'm with the best record company."

The Daily Telegraph

[Ava]

What A Job, Rob
TV WEEK

thanks to millswahisababe

After a day filming his new video clip, surrounded by a bevy of beauties, Rob “Millsy” Mills was clearly feeling the strain – not!

A theatre full of women in bikinis – it’s enough to make any red-blooded male go weak at the knees. But not this man.

“We’ve spent the last month looking at different ways to shoot the clip and we came up with the Ms Vanity pageant. It’s wicked. I really like the idea,” Rob Mills says with a grin.

Eight months ago, Rob was sitting in this very theatre, waiting to find out if he’d made it through to the next round of Australian Idol.



And look at him now! “I’m having flashbacks. The Seymour Theatre Centre (at the University of Sydney) is where they cut the top 100 down to 40,” Rob says.

“It was a stressful time. I remember there was breakdancing up there and I remember some of the guys trying to teach me. I couldn’t do it, so don’t expect any body rolls in the video clip!”<br>
What Rob’s fans can look forward to is his trademark grin and a lot of fun. Rob will play an MC overseeing the Ms Vanity pageant, a role he is clearly relishing.

Before shooting began, rumours were circulating that Rob may be co-starring with Paris Hilton, but he’s quick to laugh it off.

“Someone mentioned that to me. They heard the clip was called ‘Ms Vanity’, and they heard that Paris was going to be out here and put two and two together.”<br>
But Rob has plenty of co-stars to keep him company, one of which travelled for three hours just for the opportunity to star in his clip! “She got up at 4.30 this morning and got a train here. Unbelievable!”<br>
Ms Catty, Ms Bitchy, Ms Easy – they’re all here, trying to catch Rob’s eye. So who will he choose? “One of the girls says, ‘I’m going to be Ms Easy,’ and I didn’t even feel the need to comment!” he laughs.

Jokes aside, Rob is seriously committed to his new music career, and this becomes clear when he speaks about his album.

“Months and months ago, when I first got signed, they gave me a bunch of CDs and said, ‘Listen to these… This is where we think you should go.’ And I listened to the songs and went, ‘Nup, it’s not me.’ I said, ‘How about I write stuff?’ and I just started writing stuff.

So then they heard some of these songs and were like, ‘Oh, that’s the way you want to go,’ ” he explains.

Rob then set about working with some of the country’s top writers, including Matthew Gerrard – who co-wrote with Delta Goodrem on Innocent Eyes – to create the “rock/pop” feel he wanted for his first CD.

“It’s weird. The style couldn’t be more different,” Rob says of his Delta connection.

Rob has co-written seven of the songs on his album. The rest are sourced from all around the world. “There are some wicked, wicked tracks,” he insists.

Listeners will get to sample more of Rob’s talents when his album is released later this year, but until then, we’ll just have to be content with his first single.

But one last question: does the winner of the Ms Vanity pageant get to go home with Rob? “Maybe not on set!” he laughs.

Some things never change!

Rob Mills’ single “Ms Vanity” will be released on May 31.

[Ava]

Thanks to Christine

Shannon heads home
TV WEEK

He may be a big star now, but you can’t take Condobolin out of Shannon Noll.

He’s got a car. He’s got a big, black, shiny car – and by the looks of things, Shannon Noll is going to be using it to burn up some serious kilometres in the coming months.

First stop on his national tour? Shannon’s home town of Condobolin.

“Somebody asked me what the best experience has been so far and I have to say, I’m standing here in front of Condo right now,” Shannon says.

Condobolin hosted a “Thank you” concert on Anzac Day, which saw up to 10,000 people swarm to the showground to catch a glimpse of their Idol.

The humble singer organised the concert with the help of his brothers Adam and Damien and several locals to raise money for the community that has supported him from the start.

“There will be a fair amount of money to spread out when it’s finished, so we’ll be straight into a room afterwards and dividing where it goes,” Shannon says.

This time, Shannon and his brothers took to the stage to belt out a few classic rock covers, performing as their old band, Cypress.

“If we look like we are having fun, we are. That’s what it’s all about,” Shannon says.

Shannon’s brothers weren’t his only family support for the day. Several of his relatives watched from the crowd. “I can’t believe it. Everyone wants a bit of him,” says Shannon’s grandmother Joan Swadling.

Fans started gathering at the showground from 11am. The locals were out in force showing their support – driving down the main street you couldn’t help but notice shops decorated with Shannon’s name and face.

And they weren’t disappointed. Crowds were wowed with a mix of songs, including “What About Me” and the yet-to-be-released third single “Learn To Fly”.

Shannon’s roller-coaster ride hasn’t stopped since the Australian Idol final. “It’s been sensational. It’s an amazing feeling to see what’s happened in the last eight months,” he says.

At the end of the night, Shannon is grateful to his home town. ”This was the best experience of my life. Thanks, Condo,” he praised.

Now that’s what I’m talking about.

Shannon is touring now. For more information visit www.shannonnoll.com.au

Check out TV WEEK next week for part one of Shannon’s exclusive tour diary.

[Ava]

MESSAGE FROM MATT CHADWICK

This is from his yahoo group 10/5/2004

To all my fans, friends and family,

It's been a crazy few months for me and I'm sorry that I haven't posted sooner.

To fill you in on what's been happening, I've been working closely with my manager (Richard Macionis - who is also John Foreman's manager) to figure out what I'm going to do basically. This industry is so much harder than I thought but it's defiantly worth it.

If you didn't know, I was approached by BMG to join Mercury 4. This came as a bit of a shock considering the call came from Dicko! I met with the boys who were great, as were their management and the record company. In the end I turned it down. I felt I
worked really hard on the tour to break the boy band image and didn't want to commit to something if my heart wasn't in it.

Other than that I've done castings for most of the T.V shows, which all went really well. I've been doing charities and social events and the occasional GIG. L=
ooks like I may get into some modelling, which should be a bit of fun!! I've also got a casting agent up in Queensland who books castings for movies and ads etc. Started doing some short-term work with Hot Tomato radio on the coast. Lots of fun and a good chance to try something new...radio!

I'm going to go on Hot Sauce in a few weeks for a bit of a chat. Prob won't air till later in the year but keep your eyes peeled...should be fun.

Good luck to anyone going for Idol. The show has changed my life. Even if career-wise it didn't take off straight away like everyone thought, it's opened up so many doors, given me motivation and inspiration and taught me so much about the industry and myself. It's been the best...nearly 12 months wow! But it has been hard=
and that's why I'm so thankful to all of you who have supported me and kept me in your thoughts. I owe you!! ;o)

Just caught up with Shannon tonight. He's such a great mate now. It's amazing how strange circumstances such as idol can create the greatest friendships.

Anyway bye for now. Take care,
MATTY


isn't matt a sweetie?!

[superc]

Thanks Ava... the ones about Shannon and Matt make me feel all warm and fuzzy

I'm glad Matt stuck didn't go the boy-band route and that he's still in touch with Shannon. Awww!

Millsy... I can't help thinking he's so incredibly sleazy nowadays. I swear it's the hair. If he had his normal hair instead of the spiky 'do, I wouldn't cringe at him quite so much. But it's very cool that he co-wrote 7 of the songs.. I didn't think he had it in him.

And Paulini! Eeeek! I'm totally racing out to get her CD. ;D ;D

[guest]

In case you did not know, when Shannon was performing at one of his recent concerts he had Matty and Stu Campbell went up on stage to co- sing songs with him.... read it at the shannon_aus_idol yahoo site in one of the concert reports...


And Pete Ryan was at a previous concert, he met a couple of the yahoo members too and he said he was blown away by the reception Shannon got...he knew Shannon as a great bloke but not Shannon the superstar...he intended to just say hi or duet one song ..not sure there..but ended up staying for the whole concert and enjoyed it immensely...

and Millsy said in his site something about congrats to Shannon for raising almist $100,000 for charity from the Condo concert..he thought that was awesome..

[Beautifulfriend]

Thanks Ava and Guest,

great to see the Idols doing so well. They all deserve it and worked really hard.

**Bo gets in line for her Paulini CD, **

there is also a rumor that Shannon will be in Alice Springs in September, I hope this is true coz I would love to see him perform

[Inside Australian Idol]

Over 3000 expected at concert
Monday, 17 May 2004

Shannon Noll is in town this Saturday with organisers expecting over 3000 fans for the event.

Organiser Debbie Slater has been pleased with ticket sales both at Cowra and through ticketek.

"There has been approximately 1500 tickets sold already, she said on Friday.

"We expect a lot of people to get tickets on the day.”

Mrs Slater said fans are gearing up for a fun filled evening with the concert less than a week away.

"Organising is going well, there's a buzz in the air with the concert less than a week away,” she said.

While there are still plenty of tickets available at the Garden of Roses Cafe Mrs Slater said there is an extra incentive for fans to purchase tickets through ticketek.

"Everyone who books their ticket through ticketek will go into the draw to go back stage and meet Shannon Noll himself.”<br>
This stop in Cowra is part of Shannon's national tour. Supporting acts include Kath Nelligan, Lee-ann Rose and Jimmy Mann.

Other entertainment includes rides and activities for the children.

Proceeds from the concert will go towards Cowra Community Chest and the PCYC.

Sporting clubs will also benefit from the event running stalls on the day.

Ticket prices for the concert are $140 for a family pass, $33.00 for Children under 12 and $45 for adults. Tickets will also be available on the day at the Garden of Roses cafe and at an outlet nearby the venue.

Gates open at 3pm.

cowra.yourguide.com.au/detail.asp?class=news&subclass=local&category=general%20news&story_id=307229&y=2004&m=5

[Inside Australian Idol]

Town breeds another Idol contestant

By Roger Oldridge

May 17 2004
Shepparton News



It seems Tatura has become the capital of Goulburn Valley singing talent with another of the town's exports set to make an impact on the national stage.
Ben Eaton has cleared the first hurdle in his quest to become the next Australian Idol, following in the footsteps of Natalie Ferguson who made the final 40 contestants in last year's series.

Mr Eaton is off to Sydney next month after Idol judges Ian `Dicko' Dickson, Marcia Hines and Mark Holden deemed him to be in the top 100 performers who auditioned during the nationwide search.

Mr Eaton was unable to talk to the media because of an agreement with the show's producers but his mother Gaye said her 26-year-old son was "over the moon".

The former Mooroopna Secondary College student, who moved to Melbourne to study Commerce-Law at Monash University in 1996, had to sing his way through three gruelling audition stages to make the cut.

After completing his university studies and working in the industry for two years, Mr Eaton decided he needed a new challenge and is attempting to make it in the music industry.

"After a while he decided he didn't want to sit in an office, and he liked music and liked singing so decided to pursue it seriously," Mrs Eaton said.

Mr Eaton went back to university to study performing and after only 12 months of singing lessons Mrs Eaton said her son had made rapid progress.

"When he sets a goal he really goes out after it," she said.

Mr Eaton was told by the University of New England that because of his age, it would be wise of him to get out and start performing - advice which he took under his belt, playing in bands at university.

With some time to prepare for the Sydney leg of his Idol attempt, Mr Eaton is starting to get a repertoire of songs together.

"He is on the right track and hopefully he will end up somewhere but we (Mrs Eaton and her husband Darryl) just hope he has success in whatever he does," Mrs Eaton said.

"Whatever will be, will be."

news.mcmedia.com.au/story.asp?TakeNo=200405173562573

[guest]

mmm I am not sure that Matt's decision not to join Mercury 4 was a good one... that 's a great opportunity to launch a career....and the offer came from Dicko .... all the more he should not have turned it down ... it just giveshim t h e added exposure to perform and sing...he could always go solo later on if he reallywants to ....seems a lot better than what he is doing now...but then it seems he is more interested in acting? .I mean he has met up with casting agents ?