Australian Idol (season 2)
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| Australian Idol (season 2) | |
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| Finalists (with dates of elimination) |
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| Casey Donovan | Winner |
| Anthony Callea | November 16 |
| Courtney Murphy | November 8 |
| Hayley Jensen | November 1 |
| Chanel Cole | October 25 |
| Marty Worrall | October 18 |
| Ricki-Lee Coulter | October 11 |
| Daniel Belle | October 4 |
| Emelia Rusciano | September 27 |
| Amali Ward | September 20 |
| Dan O'Connor | September 13 |
| Angie Narayan | September 7 |
The second season of Australian Idol debuted on July 13, 2004. Over 50,000 people throughout Australia auditioned.
Contents |
[edit] Overview
As well as the five larger cities, the judges also visited Canberra, Hobart, Darwin and Tamworth this year. Of the twelve finalists, three were from Sydney, two were from Melbourne, and one each from Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Hobart, Perth, Canberra, Adelaide and Bega.
The winner was Casey Donovan. Runner up Anthony Callea (2nd), Courtney Murphy (3rd), Hayley Jensen (4th) & Chanel Cole (5th). The final 2, as well as Ricki-Lee Coulter (7th), were the only contestants of the Top 12 to score hits, with Anthony ending up the highest seller out of the three and holds the record of the highest and fast selling single by an Australian artist ever with his first release of The Prayer. Chanel Cole and Daniel Belle teamed up under the label Spook to release an album in October 2005, and a bootleg album for Chanel was also released in November 2005. Ngaiire Joseph (Top 30 contestant) and Marty Worrall released a single each in late 2005, and Hayley Jensen released an album in September 2007. To this date Anthony Callea is the only Idol contestant to make the final 3 without being in the bottom 2 or 3 throughout the course of the show.
For this second series of Idol, the Grand Finale remains the highest rated Idol show in the whole 5 series.
On a darker note, Telstra, a major sponsor of the series, made an embarrassing error when they issued a series of half-page advertisements in major newspapers congratulating Donovan on her victory, with a reference to her website. However, the address was incorrect, leading to a website about gay porn star Casey Donovan, rather than the singer's. The company issued a prompt apology upon realising their mistake.[1]
After this season, judge Ian Dickson bowed out of the series, later to appear in the Seven Network reality TV shows My Restaurant Rules, Dancing with the Stars and most recently, Australian Celebrity Survivor. The 2004 season was also notable for an Asian contestant named "Flynn", who sang the Freestylers song "Push Up" after being found from a terrible audition, in the same vein as William Hung.
[edit] Finalists
[edit] Casey Donovan
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For more details on this topic, see Casey Donovan (singer).
Casey Donovan finished in first place for the second series of Australian Idol. She blew the judges and her fans away with powerful renditions of songs such as "Symphony of Life" and "The Special Ones". She became close to elimination three times when she appeared in the bottom three during the Top 9, the Top 6 and the Top 4. She scored four of Mark Holden's touchdowns during the Top 30, the Top 8, the Top 5 and the Top 3. After Australian Idol Casey was signed to Sony BMG and she released a number one single and released a platinum selling album.
[edit] Anthony Callea
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For more details on this topic, see Anthony Callea.
Anthony auditioned and was selected for the final 30 in the television series Australian Idol in 2004. Based on viewer votes, he did not make it through the first round of competition but was invited back as a "Judge's Choice Wildcard", where his performance earned him a place in the final 12.
Over the weeks of the competition his popularity with the Australian public grew. During his run on the show, he gave several performances that earned him high praise from the judges, including Simon & Garfunkel's "Bridge over Troubled Water", Foreigner's "I Want to Know What Love Is" and Andrea Bocelli and Céline Dion's duet "The Prayer." Judge Ian 'Dicko' Dickson said Callea's performance of the latter was the finest he had seen during his two years with the show and rendered him speechless. Mark Holden invented a new concept of the 'Grand Royale' Touchdown for his fine performance. This, to date, remains the only 'Grand Royale' Touchdown given out by Mark Holden. To this date Anthony Callea is the only Idol contestant to make the final 3 without being in the bottom 2 or 3 throughout the course of the show.
[edit] Courtney Murphy
Courtney Murphy (born November 20, 1979 in Perth in Western Australia) was 24 years of age when he participated in Australian Idol. He was eliminated from the competition following the program on 8 November 2004 after making it to the final three.
Murphy played the parts of "Roger" a "T'Bird" in the Grease Arena Spectacular which toured Australia from May until June 2005. He has released a CD in the group "Murphy's Lore" with his brothers.
Courtney's brother, Chris Murphy, placed fourth in the fourth season of Australian Idol.
Courtney Murphy's Australian Idol performances:
- Perth Audition - "The Rescue Blues" (Ryan Adams)
- Semi Final Group 1 - "She Will Be Loved" (Maroon 5)
- Final 12 (Aussie Hits) - "You Weren't in Love With Me" (Billy Field)
- Final 11 (Pop Music) - "No Matter What" (Bad Finger)
- Final 10 (60's)- "Spinning Wheel" (Blood, Sweat & Tears)
- Final 9 (Disco) - "Everyone's a Winner" (Hot Chocolate)
- Final 8 (Idol's Choice) - "God Only Knows" (Beach Boys)
- Final 7 (The Beatles) - "Got to Get You into My Life" (The Beatles)
- Final 6 (80's) - "Oh Sherrie" (Steve Perry)
- Up, Close & Personal - "We'll Do It All Again" (Bleu)
- Final 5 (R&B/Soul) - "What a Fool Believes" (The Doobie Brothers)
- Final 4 (Big Band) - "For Once in My Life (Frank Sinatra) & "Don't Get Around Much Anymore" (Louis Armstrong & Duke Ellington)TOUCHDOWN
- Final 3 (70's) - "Somebody to Love" (Queen) TOUCHDOWN & "My Love" (Wings)
[edit] Hayley Jensen
[edit] Chanel Cole
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For more details on this topic, see Chanel Cole.
[edit] Marty Worrall
Marty Worrall (born February 8, 1978) placed sixth in the competition. Independently released a single "One Day in 2005 which remained in the top 10 of the Australian Independent charts for 6 weeks. In 2006, Worrall participated in the quiz show Australia's Brainiest Idol, and was the winner. Currently lives in Newcastle with his wife Helen Morris. In 2007 Marty formed a band called "Inalight" and recorded an album with Daniel Jones of Savage Garden fame. Band politics saw Marty split in early 2008. He now works as a solo artist and songwriter, his co-penned track "Here She Comes" was recorded by Canadian rocker Jonas Tomalty and was the opening track on his album "Suite Life" which made the top 10 of the Canadian Albums Charts in 2006. Marty also runs team-building songwriting workshops with his company "Songstart" which he owns with Helen.
[edit] Ricki-Lee Coulter
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For more details on this topic, see Ricki-Lee Coulter.
[edit] Daniel Belle
Daniel Belle (born May 20, 1983) was the fifth contestant to be voted out of the competition. He also visited Sacred Heart Cabramatta in Sydney with Chanel Cole.
A classically trained singer, Belle was sometimes criticised by the judges for failing to demonstrate his abilities in pop music. Belle was voted into the final 12 by viewers votes, and was selected following a performance of Robbie Williams' "Rock DJ", described by judge Ian Dickson as "ridiculous". It was suggested that following Dickson's severe criticism, public sympathy earned Daniel a place in the finals.
The judges considered that he redeemed himself somewhat after being selected and complimented him on some of his performances, particularly his version of Josh Groban's "You Raise Me Up".
Belle is now a member of Australian trip hop group Spook with his former girlfriend, fellow contestant Chanel Cole.
Daniel Belle's Australian Idol performances:
- Sydney Audition - "Thankyou" (Boyz II Men) & a classical song
- Semi Finals Group 2 - "Rock DJ" (Robbie Williams)
- Final 12 (Aussie Hits) - "You Were There" (Southern Sons)
- Final 11 (Pop Hits) - "You Raise Me Up" (Josh Groban)
- Final 10 (60's) - "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" (Neil Diamond)
- Final 9 (Disco) - "Working My Way Back To You" (The Spinners)
- Final 8 (Idol's Choice) - "Your Song" (Elton John)
[edit] Emelia Rusciano
Emelia Rusciano placed ninth in Australian Idol (season 2). She gave an outstanding performance of Alicia Keys' "If I Ain't Got You" on the wild card show helping her to be invited by the judges to join the Top 12. She reached the Top 9, being eliminated on the September 27, 2004 show. In 2006, she participated in the quiz show Australia's Brainiest Idol.
Emelia joined Mark Trevorrow (Bob Downe) for the Adelaide Cabaret festival in late 2004 for his highly acclaimed I-Bob show and received rave reviews for her performance. She then went on to work for SAFM filling in for the "Milly and Lehmo show" and doing a number of live performances around Adelaide. Emelia impressed Austereo bosses so much that she was offered a full time breakfast hosting role in Western Australia.
Emelia now lives in Perth with her husband Scott Barrow and her two daughters Marchella (5) and Odette (6months). Emelia hosts breakfast radio for Austereo and the 2Day network on Perth's 92.9. Emelia is part of the "Em, Wippa and Tim" show. Emelia recently guest starred in "Hair the tribal rock musical" alongside Idol alumni Cosima DeVito and Rob Mills.
[edit] Amali Ward
Amali Ward (born 2 July 1988) placed tenth in the competition. As well as being the only finalist from Tasmania, she was also one of the youngest, being a 16 year old school student at The Friends' School in Hobart. She was born to English and Sri Lankan parents.
Amali auditioned for Australian Idol in Hobart and just scraped in. Singing Alicia Keys "If I Ain't Got You". Marcia thought she was worthy however, the male judges came to a disagreement. Dicko said no, but after another go at singing Mark Holden allowed Amali to continue in the competition being one of two contestants from Tasmania. Making through each round with her stunning looks and good voice Amali was able to reach only the Final 10, being eliminated after the 60's Theme Night, when she sang "I Say a Little Prayer".
Amali has been back and forth from Hobart to Sydney and Melbourne at various modelling shows and events. She was rumoured to feature on Channel 10's Video Hits as a host alongside ex-Idol contestant Axle Whitehead.
She has been confirmed to now be a regular Channel [V] host and is currently in training.[citation needed] On her MySpace, she has also been writing and recording songs which are free to listen to. These songs include; "Know Me Better", "The New Black", "Send Over" and "Drag Me Down".
Amali Ward's Australian Idol performances:
- Hobart Audition - "If I Ain't Got You" by (Alicia Keys)
- Semi Final Group 2 - "Some Kind Of Wonderful" by (Joss Stone)
- Final 12 (Aussie Hits) - "Emotions" by (Samantha Sang)
- Final 11 (Pop Hits) - "Shackles (Praise You)" by (Mary Mary)
- Final 10 (60's) - "I Say a Little Prayer" by (Dionne Warwick)
[edit] Dan O'Connor
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For more details on this topic, see Daniel O'Connor.
[edit] Angeline Narayan
Angeline (Angie) Narayan was placed twelfth in the contest. Narayan auditioned for Australian Idol in the Gold Coast by performing Disco Inferno by The Trammps which blew the judges away with her soulful, R&B voice. In the Top 24, she performed Chain Of Fools by Aretha Franklin. After reaching the Top 12, she performed A Touch Of Paradise by John Farnham, but which left the judges a bit disappointed by her performance. Angie told them that she has been suffering from the flu. She was eliminated the next night.
Since her elimination, Narayan has released several demo singles and has written many new songs and has produced an album named 'Undeniable' through an independent record label called 'Locus Records', in which she covered Aretha Franklins' "Chain Of Fools".
[edit] Elimination Chart
| Date | Theme | Bottom Three | ||
| September 6 | Australian Made | Angeline Narayan | Emelia Rusciano | Amali Ward |
| September 13 | Pop | Dan O'Connor | Hayley Jensen | Marty Worrall |
| September 20 | 1960's | Amali Ward (2) | Hayley Jensen (2) | Marty Worrall (2) |
| September 27 | Disco | Emelia Rusciano (2) | Marty Worrall (3) | Casey Donovan |
| October 4 | Contestant's Choice | Daniel Belle | Chanel Cole | Hayley Jensen (3) |
| October 11 | The Beatles | Ricki-Lee Coulter | Chanel Cole (2) | Marty Worrall (4) |
| October 18 | 1980s | Marty Worrall (5) | Casey Donovan (2) | Hayley Jensen (4) |
| October 25 | R&B | Chanel Cole (3) | Courtney Murphy | Hayley Jensen (5) |
| November 1 | Big Band | Hayley Jensen (6) | Casey Donovan (3) | |
| November 8 | 1970s | Courtney Murphy (2) | Anthony Callea | |
| November 21 | Finale | Anthony Callea (2) | Casey Donovan | |
[edit] References
[edit] External links
| Preceded by Season 1 (2003) |
Australian Idol Season 2 (2004) |
Succeeded by Season 3 (2005) |
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