Losing was just a run-up to No.1 for idol
Natalie Gregg, entertainment reporter
02apr05
BEING runner-up in Australian Idol turned out to be Anthony Callea's lucky break.
RELAXED heart-throb . . . Anthony Callea, who flew into Brisbane yesterday for shopping-centre visits to promote his debut album, finds his fame 'flattering'. Picture: Bruce Long.
The heart-throb flew into Brisbane yesterday for two weekend shopping centre visits to promote his debut self-titled album, which was released this week, and is reportedly selling well on the back of two No.1 singles.
"I was disappointed when I didn't win, naturally, but I thought, 'What can I make of this?' and I tried to look at the positives," Callea said yesterday.
Queenslanders wanting to emulate his success had better start practising now – Australian Idol 3 . . . auditions will be held at Suncorp Piazza at South Bank from May 21 to 23.
Callea is still getting used to the adoring female fans, but said it was a pleasant change since his quick rise from obscurity a year ago.
"It's very flattering at times; I just try to concentrate on the CD," he said.
"It's weird – a year ago I didn't get any offers."
Callea's debut single, his version of Andrea Bocelli's The Prayer, held the No.1 position for five consecutive weeks, selling four times platinum.
The Prayer made the record books as the fastest-selling Australian single of all time and the highest-selling Australian single.
His new double single Rain/Bridge Over Troubled Water has gone double platinum and he has far out-sold last year's winner Casey Donovan whose single What's Going On? entered the ARIA charts at No.18 and is now at No.32.
Queenslanders this year will come up against Idol judges Marcia Hines, Mark Holden and, for the first time, Kyle Sandilands.
Sandilands, who replaces Ian "Dicko" Dickson, said yesterday he would not dish out criticism for the sake of it.
"I've got no doubt there will be some comment people don't appreciate but I will call it as I see it," Sandilands said.
Callea will perform and sign copies of his album at Westfield Carindale in Brisbane at 11am today and Robina Town Square on the Gold Coast at 1pm tomorrow.
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