New Zealand Idol (season 2)

The second season of New Zealand Idol commenced on 3 July 2005. The judges were Paul Ellis, Jackie Clarke and Frankie Stevens.

Auditions

The auditions were held at the following locations:

• Telstraclear Pacific Events Centre, Manukau
• Riccarton Racecourse, Riccarton, Christchurch
• Trentham Racecourse, Trentham, Upper Hutt

Those who were successful would proceed to the "Top 60" theatre rounds held at the Telstraclear Pacific Events Centre in Auckland.

Theatre Week

The successful contestants who made it through to the "Top 60" rounds would spend a gruelling three days at the theatre.

• Day One: Contestants, in groups of six, were to sing in turn, a cappella, a song of their own choice. This year the judges deliberated immediately after each line sang, then delivered the verdict.

Eliminated: Carlie Howe, Francis Walker, Rachael, Kylie Adams, Amomai Pihema, Sera Devcich, Sally, Jamie,

• Day Two: Trio performances would test the contestants' teamwork skills, with the guys performing Ben E. King's "Stand by Me", while the girls would perform Bill Withers' classic "Lean on Me." At the end of this, the group was once more reduced by a further 12.

Eliminated: Herb, Tipene, Cre'-Ammon, Krystel, Ruth, Alison, Sarah,

• Day Three: The remaining 36 contestants have one last opportunity to impress the judges. Once again they were to perform solo, (a cappella), in front of the judges.

Eliminated: Lance Ainofo, Tiresa, Nikki, Letitia, Peter Jackson, Lorna, Jamie Lamb,

The decision of the final cut to the "Top 24" was delivered to three groups of twelve, with one group being sent home.

Semi-Finals

Group 1

Advancing to the Top 10: Frank Andrews, Keshia Paulse and Steven Broad
Wildcard Contenders: Kevin Malagamaali'i, Marcel Bramao

Group 2

Advancing to the Top 10: Rosita Vai, Shelley Paikea and Ashley Cooper
Wildcard Contenders: Saelyn Guyton, Lissel Stewart

Group 3

Advancing to the Top 10: Rongo Brightwell, Jesse O'Brien and Nik Carlson
Wildcard Contenders: Clark To'o, Maselina Leimoa, Teresa Bergman, Malia Matthews

Wildcards

Advancing to the Top 10: Teresa Bergman

Weekly Song Themes

The Top 10 Finalists

Rosita Vai

Rosita Vai (born 4 June 1981 in Auckland) was the winner of the second series of "New Zealand Idol".

Audition: "I Have Nothing" by Whitney Houston

Theatre Week (Round 1):

Theatre Week (Round 3): "Work it Out" by Beyoncé Knowles

Top 24: "I Have Nothing" by Whitney Houston

Top 10: "Nobody's Supposed to Be Here" by Deborah Cox

Top 9: "I'm Coming Out" by Diana Ross

Top 8: "Always Be My Baby" by Mariah Carey

Top 7: "Golden" by Jill Scott

Top 6: You're All I Need" by Aretha Franklin

Top 5: "If It Makes You Happy" by Sheryl Crow

Top 4: "Sweet Lovers" by The Holidaymakers, "Language" by Annie Crummer

Top 3: "I Can't Tell You Why" by The Eagles, "Dangerously in Love" by Beyoncé Knowles

Top 2: "How Come You Don't Call Me?" by Alicia Keys, "Golden" by Jill Scott, "All I Ask" (Winner's single)

Nik Carlson

Nik Carlson (born 8 November 1978 in Masterton), was runner-up to winner Rosita Vai.

Audition: "Let Me Love You" by Mario

Theatre Week (Round 1): "Hero" by Enrique Iglesias

Theatre Week (Round 3): "Me and Mrs. Jones" by Billy Paul

Top 24: "I'm Your Baby Tonight" by Whitney Houston

Top 10: "Don't You Worry 'bout a Thing" by Stevie Wonder Bottom 3

Top 9: "Sweet Love" by Anita Baker Bottom 2

Top 8: "Under the Bridge" by Red Hot Chili Peppers

Top 7: "I Believe in a Thing Called Love" by The Darkness / Lemar

Top 6: "Let's Stay Together" by Al Green

Top 5: "Beating Heart Baby" by Head Automatica

Top 4: "Watchin' U" by Ardijah, "It's Too Late" by Evermore Bottom 2

Top 3: "Someone to Love" by Jon B. & Babyface, "Is This Love" by Bob Marley

Top 2: "Never Too Much" by Luther Vandross, "I Believe in a Thing Called Love" by The Darkness / Lemar, "All I Ask" (Winner's single)

Steven Broad

Steve Broad (born 29 January 1986, from Invercargill), came third.

Audition: "Tomorrow" from the film, "Annie"

Theatre Week (Round 1): "Better Be Home Soon" by Crowded House

Theatre Week (Round 3): "I Can See Clearly Now" by Johnny Nash

Top 24: "Here Without You" by 3 Doors Down

Top 10: "Spin" by Lifehouse

Top 9: "With or Without You" by U2

Top 8: "(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" by Bryan Adams Bottom 3

Top 7: "Smooth" by Santana & Rob Thomas Bottom 3

Top 6: "Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours)" by Stevie Wonder Bottom 3

Top 5: "Higher" by Creed

Top 4: "Walls" by Shihad, "Stand Up" by The Feelers

Top 3: "Your Song" by Elton John, "Burn for You" by John Farnham

Jesse O'Brien

Jesse O'Brien, (born 25 September 1977, in Dunedin, now residing in Hamilton), was placed fourth.

Audition: "Be Yourself" by Audioslave

Theatre Week (Round 1): "One Last Breath" by Creed

Theatre Week (Round 3): "Nothing Can Wait" by Opshop

Top 24: "If You Could Only See" by Tonic

Top 10: "Be Yourself" by Audioslave

Top 9: "Where the Streets Have No Name" by U2

Top 8: "Incomplete" by The Backstreet Boys

Top 7: "I Don't Want to Be" by Gavin DeGraw

Top 6: "Hard to Handle" by Otis Redding Bottom 2

Top 5: "Best of You" by The Foo Fighters Bottom 2

Top 4: "Why Does Love Do This To Me?" by The Exponents, "No Ordinary Thing" by Opshop Eliminated

Teresa Bergman

Teresa Bergman (born 14 October 1986, in Lower Hutt), finished in fifth place. She originally missed out on a place in the Final 10 but was brought back for the Wildcard Special and received the last position into the finals.

Audition: "Secret Song" by Alanis Morissette

Theatre Week (Round 1): "Only When I Sleep" by The Corrs

Theatre Week (Round 3):

Top 24: "Uninvited" by Alanis Morissette

Wildcard: "Burn" by Tina Arena

Top 10: "Mascara" by Killing Heidi

Top 9: "Roam" by The B-52's Bottom 3

Top 8: "Foolish Games" by Jewel

Top 7: "Going Under" by Evanescence

Top 6: "Walk On By" by Dionne Warwick

Top 5: "Zombie" by The Cranberries Eliminated

Rongo Brightwell

Rongo Brightwell (16 September 1987 in Mohaka, Hawke's Bay), was placed sixth.

Audition: "Superstar" by The Carpenters

Theatre Week (Round 1): "Dancing in the Street" by Martha and the Vandellas

Theatre Week (Round 3): "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" by Marvin Gaye

Top 24: "Superstar" by The Carpenters

Top 10: "Hidden Agenda" by Craig David

Top 9: "Get Outta My Dreams, Get into My Car" by Billy Ocean

Top 8: "Never Gonna Give You Up" by Rick Astley

Top 7: "Colour Me Life" by Katchafire Bottom 2

Top 6: "Ain't Too Proud to Beg" by The Temptations Eliminated

Frank Andrews

Frank Andrews (born 22 June 1985, in Rotorua), finished in seventh place.

Audition: "O" by Omarion

Theatre Week (Round 1): "Let Me Love You" by Mario

Theatre Week (Round 3): "A Whole New World" by Peabo Bryson and Regina Belle

Top 24: "Nice and Slow" by Usher

Top 10: "How Could You" by Mario

Top 9: "I Want to Wake Up with You" by Boris Gardiner

Top 8: "Bump, Bump, Bump" by B2K & P Diddy Bottom 2

Top 7: "That Girl" by Marques Houston Eliminated

Ashley Cooper

Ashley Cooper (born 23 February 1988 in Cambridge), placed eighth.

Audition: "When You Say Nothing at All" by Ronan Keating

Theatre Week (Round 1): "Midnight Train to Georgia" by Gladys Knight

Theatre Week (Round 3): "When I See You Smile" by Bic Runga

Top 24: "Love Really Hurts Without You" by Billy Ocean

Top 10: "Everywhere" by Michelle Branch Bottom 2

Top 9: "Listen to Your Heart" by Roxette

Top 8: "Don't Speak" by No Doubt Eliminated

Keshia Paulse

Keshia Paulse (born 14 December 1984 in Auckland), finished ninth.

Audition: "Natural Woman" by Aretha Franklin

Theatre Week (Round 1):

Theatre Week (Round 3): "Chain of Fools" by Aretha Franklin

Top 24: "Hero" by Mariah Carey

Top 10: "Only Believe" by Yolanda Adams

Top 9: "Let's Hear It for the Boy" by Deniece Williams Eliminated

Shelley Paikea

Shelley Paikea (born 25 May 1981 in Pukekohe), was placed tenth.

Audition:

Theatre Week (Round 1): "I Wanna Dance with Somebody" by Whitney Houston

Theatre Week (Round 3):

Top 24: "Saving All My Love for You" by Whitney Houston

Top 10: "Lovin U" by Alicia Keys Eliminated

The Top 10 Group Performances

The Top 10: "Dedicated to the One I Love" by The Shirelles

The Top 9: "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" by Wham!

The Top 8: "Unchain My Heart" by Joe Cocker

The Top 7: "The Reason" by Hoobastank

The Top 6: "You Can't Hurry Love" by The Supremes

The Top 5: "Life Is a Highway" by Tom Cochrane

The Top 4: "Glorafilia" by Zed

The Top 3: "If I Let You Go" by Westlife

The Top 2: "Upside Down" by Diana Ross

The Grand Final

The final was held on 17 October, with the following performances:

• Lissel Stewart, Marcel Bramao, Saelyn Guyton: "Crazy" by Seal
• Shelley Paikea: "Lovin U" by Alicia Keys
• Keshia Paulse: "Only Believe" by Yolanda Adams
• Ashley Cooper: "Everywhere" by Michelle Branch
• Frank Andrews: "How Could You" by Mario
• Rongo Brightwell: "Get Outta My Dreams, Get into My Car" by Billy Ocean
• Teresa Bergman: "Going Under" by Evanescence
• Jesse O'Brien: "Where the Streets Have No Name" by U2
• Steve Broad: "Spin" by Lifehouse
• The Top 10: "Shout" by Tears for Fears
• Rosita Vai: "Dangerously in Love" by Beyoncé Knowles
• Nik Carlson: "Let's Stay Together" by Al Green
• Frank, Jesse, Rongo & Steve: "Tainted Love" by Soft Cell
• Keshia, Ashley, Shelley & Teresa: "Walking on Sunshine" by Katrina and the Waves
• Frankie Stevens & Jackie Clarke: "Put a Little Love in Your Heart" by Jackie DeShannon
• Ben Lummis & Sela Mahe: "Never Say I Love You" by Ben Lummis
• Rosita Vai: "All I Ask" (winner's single)

Elimination chart

References

External links

• Official New Zealand Idol website