Australian Idol 2005

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Australian Idol 2005
Finalists
(with dates of elimination)
Kate DeAraugo Winner
Emily Williams November 21
Lee Harding November 14
Dan England November 7
Daniel Spillane October 31
Anne Robertson October 24
James Kannis October 17
Milly Edwards October 10
Roxane LeBrasse October 3
Laura Gissara September 26
Natalie Zahra September 19
Chris Luder September 12
Tarni Stephens September 12

Australian Idol 2005 was the third season of the Australian television series Australian Idol. It debuted on July 26, 2005. The first of three semi-finals was held on August 16, 2005 with three of the Final 12 contenders announced the following night on August 17, 2005. 2Day FM radio host Kyle Sandilands replaced former judge Ian Dickson.

For the first time in Australian Idol history there were 13 finalists. This came about during the Wildcard Verdict show on September 5, 2005. The judges initially chose James Kannis and Emily Williams to go through to the final. This left one spot which was chosen by the Australian public. Out of the remaining contestants the two that received the highest votes were Dan Spillane and Roxane LeBrasse. With only 1% between them, Dan was announced as the final member of the Top 12. This meant Roxane had missed out yet again. The judges decided however that Roxane was too good to be left out of the Top 12 so they made it a Top 13. That catch was that two contestants were eliminated in the first round of the finals.

Eventually, the winner was decided, and it was Kate DeAraugo. She beat Emily Williams (2nd), Lee Harding (3rd) & Dan England (4th). Lee Harding has been signed to Sony BMG and released his first single, "Wasabi", in mid December 2005, and an album in February 2006. Dan England has been announced to be touring with Shannon Noll. Emily Williams has also been signed to Sony BMG after much controversy from her fans complaining that Emily should have got a record contract before 3rd place Lee Harding did; she is expected to release her first single in early 2006. There are also rumours that Sony BMG is reluctant to sign Anne Robertson, because she is very similar to former Australian Idol contestant Paulini Curuenavuli.

Although averaging around the 1.5 million viewer mark, ratings were down on the latest season compared to the first two, which regularly drew more than 2.5 million viewers during the latter half of the competition. The show suffered a massive 40% drop in viewers. This is a serious situation for Ten, which airs three Australian Idol shows every week, and has forced them to give away free commercial airtime to program sponsors expecting higher ratings. Commentators have theorised over the reasons why this has occurred, ranging from the viewing public being tired of the format to Sandilands replacing the popular Dickson. Controversy also surrounded the Australian Idol: Live Verdict show running up to fifteen minutes overtime.

It was announced on the finale, 5 minutes before the voting lines closed that only 1% separated Kate and Emily.

Contents

[edit] Finalists

[edit] Kate DeAraugo

Main article: Kate DeAraugo

Katherine "Kate" Jenna DeAraugo (born November 5, 1985), is an Australian singer, and was the winner of the third season of Australian Idol in 2005.

[edit] Emily Williams

Main article: Emily Williams

Emily Williams was born on October 8, 1984 in New Zealand, and was the runner-up in the 2005 season of Australian Idol and a member of the band Young Divas. Williams now lives in Inala, Brisbane with her partner and daughter. She was formerly a worker in a factory. Emily Williams scored three of Mark Holden's "touchdown"s.

[edit] Lee Harding

Main article: Lee Harding

Lee Harding is an Australian pop/rock singer who placed third in the competition. Born on June 8, 1983, he is from Frankston, Victoria where he worked at the local AMC cinema multiplex. Harding is the lead singer of his band Bedrock.

[edit] Dan England

Dan England (born August 22, 1983), is a former service station employee noted for his dreadlock hairstyle. He went to high school at St. Joseph's Nudgee College in Brisbane. Before Australian Idol, he was singer for the Brisbane covers band 'Bejesus'.

Dan England was voted out of Australian Idol on November 7, 2005 by a difference of 27 votes less than Lee Harding. (Elvis Presley theme night), placing him fourth overall behind Lee Harding, Kate DeAraugo and Emily Williams.

He sang "We Will Rock You" by Queen on the top 10 live performance show. He received a "Touchdown" from Idol judge Mark Holden for his performance of "Desperado" on the Seventies theme night.

England's elimination was attributed in part to the fact that his home state, Queensland, did not participate in daylight saving and that Queensland voters therefore had one hour less to make their votes. This viewpoint was expounded further by the State Premier Peter Beattie. [1]

England was Shannon Noll's support act for his "Lift" tour in early 2006.

Dan England's Australian Idol performances were:

[edit] Daniel Spillane

Daniel Spillane (born February 29, 1980) came fifth in Australian Idol 2005.

After auditioning for the previous season in Sydney and not being selected, he heeded the advice of judge Mark Holden and dedicated the next year to honing his skills as a performer. He left his employment with his family's real estate business to move to Brisbane in order to find inspiration.

He performed "Gimme Some Lovin'" for his 2005 audition, and was unanimously chosen to advance to the next round. During his Top 30 performance of Gavin Degraw's "I Don't Want To Be", Spillane suffered from glossophobia and as a result he had difficulty maintaining a consistent pitch, however the judges invited him to return for the "Wildcard" show. He was one of three contestants voted by the general public to continue in the competition.

Spillane advanced for several weeks, though he was often disadvantaged by recurrences of stage fright. On several occasions Spillane was voted as one of the "bottom three" but the judges noted that his vocal performances and stage presence was gradually improving. He was eliminated from the competition on October 31, 2005 despite giving a performances that had drawn very positive comments from the judges.

Daniel Spillane's Australian Idol performances were:

[edit] Anne Robertson

Anne Robertson, (born March 7, 1983), is of Samoan background, but has grown up largely in Sydney's South-West.

Robertson had previously auditioned for Australian Idol 2003, but she failed to make the top 30. In Australian Idol 2005, she made it to the final 6. After being earlier tipped as a contender for Australian Idol title, she was eliminated on October 24 - after placing in the bottom three for the first time. She has been commended for her grace, composure and humility throughout the competition.

Anne Robertson's Australian Idol performances were:

  • Sydney Auditions: Where Do We Go From Here? by Deborah Cox
  • Theatre Round Day Two: Finally by CeCe Peniston
  • Top 30 (Group 1): Home by Diana Ross
  • Top 13 (Australian Made): I Don't Want To Be With Nobody But You by Absent Friends
  • Top 11 60s Hits: When Something Is Wrong With My Baby by Sam & Dave
  • Top 10 Supergroups: Where The Streets Have No Name by U2
  • Top 9 Idols' Choice: Independent Women by Destiny's Child
  • Top 8 Big Band Hits: Minnie The Moocher by Cab Calloway
  • Top 7 80s Hits: Open Arms by Journey
  • Top 6 Up Close & Personal: Dangerously In Love by BeyoncĂ©
  • Top 6 Motown Hits: If I Were Your Woman by Gladys Knight

[edit] James Kannis

Main article: James Kannis

James Jay Kannis (born November 5, 1985) was eliminated on October 17, 2005, placing him in 7th position.

[edit] Milly Edwards

Amelia "Milly" Edwards (born February 29, 1988) was eliminated on October 10, 2005 after receiving the least number of votes. As one of the top thirteen, she sings one track on the album Australian Idol 3: The Final 13 - Australian Made: The Hits.

Though she auditioned for Australian Idol in Tasmania, she is a resident of Victoria.

Milly Edwards' Australian Idol performances were:

  • Hobart/Melbourne Auditions: Something's Got A Hold On Me by Etta James
  • Theatre Round Day Two: Pleasure & Pain by Divinyls (with Shaye Bianchi & Tarni Stephens
  • Top 30 Group 2: I Just Wanna Make Love To You by Etta James
  • Top 13 Australian Hits: Playing To Win by John Farnham
  • Top 11 60s: Do You Love Me (Now That I Can Dance) by The Contours
  • Top 10 Supergroups: Somebody To Love by Queen
  • Top 9 Idols' Choice: Sunday Morning by No Doubt
  • Top 8 Big Band Hits: Get Happy by Judy Garland

[edit] Roxane LeBrasse

Roxane Lebrasse on Australian Idol.
Roxane Lebrasse on Australian Idol.

Roxane LeBrasse (born August 26, 1983 in Mauritius) placed ninth in the competition. Before auditioning, LeBrasse was a back-up singer to Australian singer Jade MacRae. She appeared on a single with popular 90's Australian band The Rockmelons, titled "I Ain't Playin", released in mid-2002 and peaked at #79 in the ARIA Charts. She was also featured singing "I Got News for You", "Game Tight" and "Three's a Crowd" on their Rockies 3 album.

She was voted out from the show by the viewers on October 3, 2005. She never managed to get into the top twelve, first losing out to Laura Gissara, and then to Dan Spillane on the Wildcards show. The judges on the show decided to increase the number of contestants in the finals to thirteen, enabling her to compete in the finals - a move which caused a small amount of controversy. LeBrasse was later featured in the Australian Idol 3: The Final 13 - Australian Made: The Hits compilation, singing "Forever Now", and was also part of the Final 13 group in "Ready".

She gigs regularly around Sydney, with fellow Idol contestant and good friend Chris Luder.

Roxane LeBrasse's Australian Idol performances:

[edit] Laura Gissara

Main article: Laura Gissara

Laura Gissara (born March 14, 1984), was eliminated from the show on September 26, 2005, placed tenth. Since then, she was signed by Shock Records and released a single named "Ti Amo" on 31 July 2006.

[edit] Natalie Zahra

Main article: Natalie Zahra

Natalie Zahra (born April 24, 1988), placed eleventh in the competition. She was 17 years of age when she made it into the top 13. Natalie Zahra is a country girl from Innisfail, Northern Queensland. Before auditioning, she was a singing teacher and taught students of all ages.

[edit] Chris Luder

Chris Luder (born May 18, 1979) placed twelfth in the competition. Chris made it into the Top 13, along with good friend Roxane LeBrasse, but was voted off in the first live eviction show along with Tarni Stephens on September 12, 2005.

Chris Luder's Australian Idol performances were:

[edit] Tarni Stephens

Tarni Stephens (born April 3, 1978) was eliminated in the first round, on September 12, 2005 along with fellow Top 13 contestant Chris Luder.

Stephens auditioned in Brisbane. She was known for her rock style of music. She was also the lead singer in her band Tarni.

Tarni Stephens' Australian Idol performances were:

[edit] Bottom three statistics

Date Theme Order from bottom (left to right)
September 12 Australian Artists Tarni Stephens Chris Luder Milly Edwards
September 19 The 1960's Natalie Zahra Laura Gissara James Kannis
September 26 Rock Supergroups Laura Gissara (2) James Kannis (2) Daniel Spillane
October 3 Contestant's Choice Roxane LeBrasse Milly Edwards (2) Daniel Spillane (2)
October 10 Big Band Hits Milly Edwards (3) Dan England James Kannis (3)
October 17 The 1980's James Kannis (4) Emily Williams Daniel Spillane (3)
October 24 Up Close and Personal/Motown Anne Robertson Daniel Spillane (4) Dan England (2)
October 31 The 1970's Daniel Spillane (5) Lee Harding Kate DeAraugo
November 7 Elvis Presley Dan England (3) Lee Harding (2)
November 14 #1 Hits Lee Harding (3) Kate DeAraugo (2)
November 21 Finale Emily Williams (2) Kate DeAraugo (3)
Australian Idol
Hosts and Judges
Andrew G | James Mathison
Mark Holden | Marcia Hines | Ian "Dicko" Dickson | Kyle Sandilands
Winners
Guy Sebastian | Casey Donovan | Kate DeAraugo | Damien Leith
Runners-Up
Shannon Noll | Anthony Callea | Emily Williams | Jessica Mauboy
Seasons
Idol 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006
Other
List of semi finalists | Young Divas | Australian Made: The Hits | List of commercial releases
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