Post by Inside Australian Idol on May 14, 2005 1:02:07 GMT 10
Idol race begins
By Nassim Khadem
May 13, 2005 - 1:36PM
James Mathison, Casey Donovan and Andrew G at the Australian Idol auditions today.
Photo: Paul Harris
Moonee Valley Racecourse was transformed into a party in the early hours of this morning as thousands of young Melburnians lined up for the first day of Australian Idol auditions.
Hundreds had lined up from 4pm yesterday - although the earliest arrival was said to be at 8am yesterday - and endured Melbourne's freezing weather all night, just to have 30 seconds to convince the judges that they had what it takes to be the next Australian Idol.
Most were newcomers, but many had auditioned in previous years and genuinely believed that this time they would make it through.
The first person to line up, audition and get knocked out was contestant number 40,001, Renee Fugard, 16, from Werribee. Dressed in a cowgirl outfit and singing Kasey Chambers' A Little Bit Lonesome, Ms Fugard kept smiling even after being rejected. "It was pretty scary, but they were really nice," she said. "I sang the verse and the chorus and they said 'it was good, but not today'. I will try again next year."
Auditions started at 8.30am but it was more than two hours before the first Victorian finalist returned to the waiting room and waved her blue tag signalling that she had got through. It was the lion girl, Carly Cassidy, 26, of Wantirna, wearing a lion costume to suit the song she had chosen from The Lion King, I Just Can't Wait To Be King.
Prior to her audition, Ms Cassidy said she had no expectations of getting through. "They probably won't take me seriously but I am just doing it for fun," she said. "I know that I have not got the best voice in the world."
Last year's winner, Casey Donovan, attended the auditions to offer some words of encouragement: "I just told them, go for Gold," said Ms Donovan, who turned 17 today.
Auditions continue tomorrow and on Sunday. About 3000 people auditioned today, but the numbers are expected to be huge tomorrow.
Over the three days, Network 10 executives handle the judging process, but successful contenders will appear before the 'real' judges - Marcia Hines, Mark Holden, and new judge Kyle Sandilands - on Tuesday.
www.theage.com.au/news/TV--Radio/Idol-race-begins/2005/05/13/1115843355206.html
By Nassim Khadem
May 13, 2005 - 1:36PM
James Mathison, Casey Donovan and Andrew G at the Australian Idol auditions today.
Photo: Paul Harris
Moonee Valley Racecourse was transformed into a party in the early hours of this morning as thousands of young Melburnians lined up for the first day of Australian Idol auditions.
Hundreds had lined up from 4pm yesterday - although the earliest arrival was said to be at 8am yesterday - and endured Melbourne's freezing weather all night, just to have 30 seconds to convince the judges that they had what it takes to be the next Australian Idol.
Most were newcomers, but many had auditioned in previous years and genuinely believed that this time they would make it through.
The first person to line up, audition and get knocked out was contestant number 40,001, Renee Fugard, 16, from Werribee. Dressed in a cowgirl outfit and singing Kasey Chambers' A Little Bit Lonesome, Ms Fugard kept smiling even after being rejected. "It was pretty scary, but they were really nice," she said. "I sang the verse and the chorus and they said 'it was good, but not today'. I will try again next year."
Auditions started at 8.30am but it was more than two hours before the first Victorian finalist returned to the waiting room and waved her blue tag signalling that she had got through. It was the lion girl, Carly Cassidy, 26, of Wantirna, wearing a lion costume to suit the song she had chosen from The Lion King, I Just Can't Wait To Be King.
Prior to her audition, Ms Cassidy said she had no expectations of getting through. "They probably won't take me seriously but I am just doing it for fun," she said. "I know that I have not got the best voice in the world."
Last year's winner, Casey Donovan, attended the auditions to offer some words of encouragement: "I just told them, go for Gold," said Ms Donovan, who turned 17 today.
Auditions continue tomorrow and on Sunday. About 3000 people auditioned today, but the numbers are expected to be huge tomorrow.
Over the three days, Network 10 executives handle the judging process, but successful contenders will appear before the 'real' judges - Marcia Hines, Mark Holden, and new judge Kyle Sandilands - on Tuesday.
www.theage.com.au/news/TV--Radio/Idol-race-begins/2005/05/13/1115843355206.html