Welcome
to the talent zone for Australia, where
we profile the very best talents discovered on Australian
television music talent shows this century.
Just
like the UK and many other countries,
Australian television has had a long history of
talent shows where new talents have been discovered. The format of the
shows since the year 2000 are very similar to those shown
in the UK, USA and
a number of other countries where the audience
at home can
participate
by voting to save their favourite
contestant from being ejected from
the show.
In the
year 2000, Australian
television began
the first series of Popstars. Popstars has its origins in New Zealand;
following its success there, the format was sold first to Australia
then the UK before going global. In Australia, the show received high
ratings for the first series on the Seven network but by 2003 the
ratings had declined. At this time a rival TV network (Network
ten) launched Australian Idol, which was a instant ratings
hit and
catapulted Guy Sebastian the winner of the show, to become a
multi platinum recording star.
Following the success of Australian Idol, the Popstars format
was revisited and re-launched in a similar style to Idol, where the
contestants sang live. The audience at home appear not to
be impressed with the new show given the poor ratings. The show was
later
axed.
The
X
Factor was launched in Australia in 2005,
which was based on the original version launched in the UK.
The series still remain a success in the UK but in Australia the
ratings were poor and the TV network decided to axe the show after
only
one series. Australian Idol remains the nation's favourite
and
continues to provide a platform for many talented singers to be
discovered. The show is presented by Andrew
Günsberg and James Mathison. The judging panel consist of
Mark Holden from Australia, Marcia Hines from the USA and Ian
Dickson from the UK.
Australia’s Got talent was launched in 2007 on Australian television,
the latest talent show to try to attract a mass audience. The first
season was successful, it will therefore not suffer
the same fate as
The X Factor because the show is back for a second season in 2008.
To
see 6 of the best acts from the 2007 finals, click here.
Guy
is the winner of
the first series of
Australian Idol. He was born in Malaysia but moved to Australia with
his parents as a child. Before entering Australian Idol, Guy worked as
a recording engineer and singing teacher.
Since leaving the competition, Guy has recorded four top 10 selling
albums in Australia. The albums along with a number of
singles also did well in the New Zealand and Malaysia.
Out
With My Baby
Out With My Baby is the
third single release from Guy's platinum
selling album Just As I Am. Other singles released
by Guy include.
Anthony
Callea was the runner-up in the 2004 season of Australian
Idol.
Anthony currently holds the record for the highest selling single and
fastest selling single in Australia for his debut single The Prayer.
Anthony
is from Melbourne Australia and before entering Australian Idol, he
worked as a singing teacher in a performing arts school by day and
performed at venues in Melbourne at night.
Since leaving the
competition, he has become one of Australia's most popular artists. So
far he has release two top ten selling albums, with one reaching the
number one spot in Australia. The singles from the album also
charted well with two getting to number one.
Rain
Rain was the second single
taken from Anthony's debut platinum selling
album titled Anthony Callea. Other singles released by Anthony include:
Casey
won Australian Idol in 2004 at the age of 16. This makes her the
youngest winner of an Idol series anywhere in the world so far. Her
victory came somewhat as a surprise because the favourite Anthony
Callea was widely expected to win.
Casey was born in New South
Wales and comes from a family of musicians. She moved to Sydney in 2004
to attend the Australian Institute of Music. During this year she was
persuaded to enter the Australian Idol competition by her family.
Casey's debut album charted at number two. Her debut single reached
number one in the Australian Charts following the show.
What's Going On
What's Going On is the
second single taken from Casey's debut
Album For You. Other singles released by Casey include:
Shannon
is the runner-up of the first series of Australian Idol. Shannon was
born and raised in New South Wales and worked on the family farm after
leaving school. While working on the farm, he and his brothers formed a
band and played in pubs and clubs around the Australian
outback.
However, circumstances forced the family to sell the farm
which
later led to financial hardship. It was at this point Shannon was
persuaded by his brothers to enter Australian Idol.
After
leaving Australian Idol, Shannon was signed by Sony/BMG and has so far
released three albums. The albums did very well in the charts with two
of them reaching the number spot. The singles released from the albums
also charted highly with a few reaching number.
Shine
Shine is the first
single released from Shannon's second album titled
Lift. Other singles released by Shannon include:
Jessica
was the runner up of the 2006 season of Australian Idol. She was born
in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia and at the age of fourteen won
a singing competition and was awarded a recording contract. This was an
issue with some sections of the media when she entered the Australian
Idol competition. However, the Australian Idol organisers
pointed
out that she was no longer in contract and therefore they had no issues
with her entering the competition.
Jessica gave some excellent
performances during the competition and since leaving Australian Idol,
released an album of the songs performed on the show. The album did
well in the charts achieving a top ten position.
Have
You Ever
Have You Ever is a
track taken from Jessica's debut album The Journey.
Other songs from the show that Jessica recorded on her Album include:
Damien
Leith is an Irish Australian Singer/Songwriter who won
the
Australian Idol competition in 2006. He was born in Dublin Ireland but
lived in a number of countries including Libya and Botswana before
moving to Australia.
In his teenage years Damien formed a family
band that recorded in New York and later played in venues
around
Australia. Before entering Idol, Damien worked as a chemist making use
of his BSC degree obtained at University College Dublin.
Damien as so far released two albums since leaving the Australian Idol
series, both albums reached the number one spot.
Night
Of My Life (Live)
Night Of My Life is the first single from
Damien's debut platinum selling album titled the Winners
Journey. Other singles released by Damien include:
