
When "Australian Idol" premiered on July 27, 2003, the audience watched a 19-week performance group to find Australia's next singing star.
The first season of Idol is not just a talent show, but a roller coaster of headlines --
Drama and controversy.
On the eve of the 15 th anniversary of the premiere, E!
The news tracks the inside story of that memorable season, as the contestants, presenters and judges who have experienced this season tell.
In Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide and Darwin, many hopeful singers took part in auditions by judges Marcia Haines, Ian Dico Dixon and Mark Holden
Stephen Tate (Ten executive producers at the time and now head of facts and entertainment): I don't think any show has put people in line like Idol did.
There was a city where I think it might be Perth where we had to send a helicopter to see the end of the queue. It was amazing.
Mark Holden (judge): I like every bit of it.
I love the fact that you can see some regular talent and then Sebastian will suddenly walk into the room or Nollsy.
I like every minute of it. I really did.
Marcia Heins (judge): I was surprised by how many outside thought they were talented and decided to show their madness and deception publicly on national television.
Guy Sebastian (winner): it's cold. I was sick. I nearly left!
Jules (his then girlfriend, now wife) convinced me to stay.
To be honest, I never thought I would win.
By then, a few labels told me that I didn't have the "look" of the industry, so I gave up a bit because I knew I could sing, but I was the chubby bogan from Adelaide, bad hair.
I looked around and was very scared to see these people who looked very beautiful dancing.
Corsima De Vito (top 3): I woke up at three o'clock A. M. and auditioned in Perth and I was 20 people I saw that day.
I survived, but I remember when I got home, I thought it was too much.
I am a very shy person and I am shocked by the idea of performing and being judged on national TV --
But I want to prove to myself that I can do it.
Paulini Curuenavuli (top four): the most irresistible feeling is to walk into a room, rehearse in their little corner and see that everyone is full of hope.
I just remember the energy in the audition room.
Because no one expects anything.
I think everyone came in like, "I like singing.
Rob Milsey Mills (top five): I remember arriving on Saturday morning and being told to come back the next day because they already have too many applicants.
I did two shows that Saturday night, got some takeaways and lined up again from around six o'clock A. M. on Sunday.
I was not seen until around eleven o'clock A. M.
It was a long wait, but it was worth it in the end.
Overnight, the international version of Idol has caused a stir overseas, but no one has predicted that Australian Idol will become a super idol after its premiere in July 2003.
Stephen Tate: We don't know how big it will be when we get the show.
Because when you think about it, Britain has done a series of successful pop idols, and the United States has done half of their first American Idol series, which is obviously doing very well.
But God, we didn't see the show going to be as big as it is in the Australian market.
In a way, it's a bit overdone.
Index, per-of course-
More than the per capita basis of the UK or US version.
Mark Holden: literally, I remember on the first day after it aired, Marcia and I were walking around Sydney and instantly thriving.
It was a night.
I 've been away for 20 years and the generation after 1970 doesn't know who I am and all of a sudden we're an absolute hit.
It was a wild and wonderful journey.
Osher Günsberg (host, then Andrew G): In terms of the singing competition show in Australia, the last thing we saw was the pop Star Season 3, it could have been taken on a [handheld HD camera] in the backyard.
So, there's always some concern as to whether this will work or not, but on the first day, executive producer Greg berness just thought, yes, we have a show.
This is never going to exist again in history: booking to watch is an appointment to watch. 7.
At 30 on Sunday night, we all sat down to see the same thing.
I have to be part of the cornerstone of modern Australian pop culture and it is still an incredible, incredible privilege.
A bold double actionyear-
Old Shane Jenek, who auditioned in Sydney, did not get the TV judges cut.
But he changed the rules. and his gender—
Come back the next day as Courtney Act and enter the semi-finals
Become one of the first openly gay and gender diverse players.
Ian "Dicko" Dickson (judge): Mark and I really worked hard for her to get into the top 12, and the production company and the web were really nervous about it.
I don't think it will be the same today.
I think they might fall backwards and now have a drag action in the top 12.
Courtney performance (semi-finals)
Finalists): Dico publicly supported me as such an important part of my idol tour.
I think it's because he's British.
They have different relationships with drag and camp in the UK as well as gender and sexuality.
Dico is not afraid of it and embraces it, realizing that talking about how sexy Courtney is won't take away his masculinity or straight sex.
I don't know what will rebound.
We don't have the internet, we certainly don't have social media, and we don't have a comment section.
So, in those days, people have to come and say to you that no one has ever done that.
I was always overwhelmed by support.
I remember the little Collins street shots in Melbourne they were doing construction work and a guy sitting in a bulldozer saw us trying to take those pictures and then he suddenly thought, "Dear, how are you doing? " The traffic was delayed so that we could take pictures.
I thought, wow, it's so cool, in his high-
Vis gear is blocking the street, so a photo can be taken for the newspaper after a drag.
Mark Horton: the foundation of Courtneywas.
This is one of the only real attempts that Dico and I have worked with because we all absolutely believe in Courtney and can see that she is completely unique.
We really think she will have a great record career if she wins.
Unfortunately, it doesn't happen, but she has an incredible career and gets bigger every year. TOUCHDOWN!
Judge Mark Holden signs the seal
Shout "touchdown score!
When the referee's gesture was made
The audience and the contestants hold their breath every week to see who will win his quirky compliment.
Mark Holden: It was the Rugby World Cup in Sydney in 2003. it was the first Idol and spent a long time in the United States, I used another gesture to mess up the terminology [of the American football phrase] and then pulled it out of the air.
It became a symbol of quality.
What to fightIt's now on T-
Shirts and memes
My daughter bought two "Touchdowns" T-
Each of us wore a shirt to prepare for her graduation ceremony.
I gave her a huge "touchdown score" because she graduated with excellent grades.
Before the concept of "going viral" existed, the friendly moments between competitors did so. When 19-year-
Old Lauren Barkley is the youngest singer in the competition and after failing to get into the top 10, she is unable to pass through her farewell Lady Marmalade, other singer Cle Morgan (and then Cle Wootton) jump on stage to help her get through it.
Cle Morgan (top 10): I was a single mother since I was 17, so I naturally took Lauren under my wings.
I remember she was a nervous child, and it was right that she was overwhelmed by the big idol machine.
I didn't think of it when she stopped singing, I just went to be with her.
Thinking of her crying alone on stage, as the music continues to play, it's just something I can't stand and watch.
I haven't spoken to her for years, but I 'd be happy to hear from her and I hope she does a good job.
James Mathison (host): I'm a super sports fan and I love watching sports videos where competitors fall down and are helped by their opponents.
20% of the shows are like this, "let's laugh at people who don't know how bad they are and then humiliate them, "So I think moments like [Cle] and Lauren are necessary for a performance that starts with a little bit of mettle.
Since then, it has become an exciting performance.
In the last five weeks of the game, the infamous Golden costume event, Paulini Curuenavuli's wonderful performance of the "survivor" of the son of fate was overshadowed by her figure --
Wearing a golden dress from Charlie Brown.
Mark Holden lamented, "What are you wearing ? " But that's what Dico said ("Sorry, you should choose something more appropriate or lose weight.
Let the people of the country talk about this issue.
Ian "Dicko" Dickson: 15 years have passed and this is still with me.
11 mediocre words
That's my filter.
I want to be polite.
I didn't realize it had such an impact at the time.
I was really lucky because there was no social media at the time, so the fun I got from the media was, to some extent, a moving old school.
It's just that Alan Jones has lost his mind on this matter and people are completely crying for my blood, but if there is social media I might be suspended from permanent residency, they were then sent to live on the Bloody Island of Norfolk.
Paulini Curuenavuli: It was such a shock to me.
I remember when I tried on the dress I thought, "it's really cool, I like it.
"Very Beyoncé.
[Dico's comment] was really hurt because he basically said I looked fat inside.
My family is there, in front of them and in front of everyone watching on TV, it's hard for me to hear that.
It hurts, but I'm the kind of person I can overcome once you talk about it and apologize.
I don't take revenge.
Dico's job is to be the bad guy in the pantomime.
He used to be a very successful music executive.
He knows what he's talking about.
What he said to Paulini on television was the kind of thing he said to an artist behind closed doors.
Dicko fully believes he has the courage to have a conversation in front of the camera.
Did he say it in the right way.
Was he able to bring disturbing realities to the record industry at the time?
Part of the show is the process of demonstrating the creation of pop stars, and these conversations are part of it.
Mark Holden: I think it could be the best hour for Diko.
That's why he was remembered.
This is all about the show.
The performance was not entirely about singing.
It was about the battle between the judge, the audience and the contestants.
Stephen Tate: I think it affects the show because even Dico would admit that he was in trouble at home.
His partner Mel was very angry with him.
I think this is the first time he realized the power of his words.
Vito: the idea of what a pop star should look like preconceived was challenged that night, and the reaction of Idol fans was that after they liked them, it doesn't matter if she wasn't on the 6 th.
Paulini has the stage and she has the right to be there.
After Shannon Noel's first audition in Sydney, Dico predicted that the mountain farmer's "How am I" moment "Australia will love you . ".
Australia ranked first in the first 10 rounds.
Kangduo Baolin No. 1-
The raised country singer decided his fate as a fan with the moving picture "how am I" he played after the series, and Shannon's ballad was Australia's best-selling single in 2004.
Shannon Noel (Runner-
The people around me told me not to choose, but I insisted on my decision.
It's great when the crowd really fits into it in the last chorus!
I first "touchdown score" from Mark Holden ".
It's so interesting.
Ian "Dicko" Dickson: Interestingly, Peter Ryan, a pig farmer like young John Farnum, went in for the first time and grabbed "how am I ".
Peter was supposed to perform on that episode in Australia, but he was voted down a week ago, which allowed Shannon to sing freely.
This is at the heart of a career at a time like this, don't theyOsher Günsberg: this is the magic of the show and what we do with the background story: this is Shannon of Condobolin
He's here with his brothers, look!
He wears a hat!
He's in a field, and then bang!
Shannon went out.
He even wore a truck that night.
When Shannon sings how am I, you believe in every word he says and you cry for his pain.
There is no dry eye in the house.
He just has the ability to connect emotionally with people through his voice.
James Mason: I remember Shannon's brothers, who were his biggest fans, standing behind the auditorium in a rehearsal, who just sang with him, and when he hit that treble, speak out loudly with him.
Stephen Tate: Shannon unfortunately lost his father when he was very young, and he and his brothers then had to sell the farm.
He is definitely the epitome of an Australian fighter.
He moved his wife and two young sons to the city.
He has nothing, nothing to lose.
Everything came together at that moment.
Guy sang the new "Climb Every Mountain" on the top three shows, consolidating his position as a frontrunner in the final and winning him the first "touchdown score "!
Judge Mark Holden.
Dickson: You know what everyone has lost. -
Because of that performance.
I hate that, to be honest.
It's perfect for me for TV, but as far as I want him to be an artist, I think it's a song and dance show and naff.
It's a great tool for his voice, but it's too cheesy for me.
When Shannon was doing "how am I? " you think, that's you.
You need to go there.
But the guy who sings "Climb Every Mountain" is not.
Now Courtney Act is doing "climbing every mountain ".
Paulini Curuenavuli: I remember watching in the background because it was so exciting and really talked about everyone's journey, climbing up every mountain, taking every opportunity and not going back.
Osher Günsberg: the last few bars, when the last fireworks show of that song, James Mathison, like he suddenly lost his balance, just like he's trying to find the light switch in the dark to grab my body, grab my wrist, grab me, like, "Oh, oh, it's here!
"When he pressed that note, the butt of 600 people left their chair.
This is an extraordinary moment.
It will be live in the clip program until the end of time.
Corsima came to an end in the penultimate round of the series, with Guy Sebastian appointed as the first player to reach the final, with Andrew G announcing only 0.
8% of viewers voted for Vito and Noel.
James Mason then announced that corsima had something to say.
"I want to thank all my supporters," she read with trembling, taking out a note from her pocket.
"Unfortunately, my voice has been affected for the time being.
This forced me to make a decision to leave the game.
"Cosima De Vito: After visiting an ear and nose specialist, I was told that I had soft nodules and that rest and language therapy would disappear if surgery was not required.
Out of fear, I did what I thought was best to restore my voice.
It took me years from the evening to watch the playback.
I have no regrets.
I put my health before my vanity.
What I fear most is to lose my voice indefinitely.
I would prefer my decision to announce my withdrawal earlier today.
People are still voting and I have made a decision.
It's time to make people angry.
They announced that Guy was in the final and then I announced that I was not in the final.
It looks like I made a decision on the spot because I might not pass.
This is obviously not the case.
The subsequent rebound was not pleasant.
Stephen Tate: We're just sad about her.
I can tell you it's late.
Night meetings about what we're going to do and what it means to vote and what it means to our number of episodes.
It definitely threw the wrench into the work.
Marcia Heins: I'm glad for her.
She may cause significant damage to her vocal cords.
Paulini Curuenavuli: I know she's not feeling well.
There are four of us left in the house. she is very sick and struggling.
But I never thought she 'd quit.
Just because of her personality.
She's too strong.
I thought, "My God, why didn't she do it in my week!
"No, just kidding.
Mark Holden: there are people who grow up when you light them up, Guy is one of them.
The more he plays, the better he will be.
The more light he shines on him, the more he grows like a flower.
Other people, the more light you take, the more they scream and crash.
Deep in her heart, she might think, "I shouldn't give anything if I can't give everything absolutely.
"But I think she will definitely be the top 2.
Even if she is in the 75% tone range, she still has such emotional ability in the way she sings.
I think Australia will forgive her if she is not 100% years old.
Even if she went out and missed some notes, Australia would give her a different chance to redeem after the show.
It's really hard.
The final of November 19, 2003, a recordbreaking 3.
3 million viewers watched the show later. to-
Final episode: final verdict from the opera house and Australian Idol on the scene of Australian Idol.
The total audience of the whole program reached 3.
65 million shortly before the name of the winnerGuy Sebastian—was announced.
Stephen Tate: we want to make the best carrier of talent Australia has ever had, and for that we use the Opera House as the final finish line for the singing contest.
This is not a cheap sport.
It cost us millions to buy two orchestras because the date we need has been booked by them.
As the culmination of the vision we have, and our faith in this form, it is great.
We are tired.
Shannon Noel: all the hard work has been done and all the votes are in progress.
It's all about enjoying the process.
The Idol experience is one of the most wonderful times of my life.
It changed my life forever.
Guy Sebastian: Shannon and I were told in the evening that we would all get a record deal, so to be honest, we weren't at all nervous about the results because we all just wanted to record music.
We went so far that we couldn't believe it.
Two Pogen, one from the apartment and the other from Radelaide to the opera house in a Porsche limousine.
Idol is the best thing that happens to me.
Who knows where I will be today and what I will do without it.
I started with studying medical radiation and only dreamed of taking advantage of my talent to have no radiation.
Travel around the world and perform for the Queen, Oprah and the Pope.
Who would think of "Dickson" Dickson: this is an excellent example of two faces in Australia.
Australians have always been fascinated.
A view of one's eyes and emotions.
I think they think Shannon represents the traditional Australian, "Your good" rock idol.
But later guy was a Christian, multicultural, mixed-heritage Aussie and R & B singer, apparently the new pop music of the time.
In some ways, this is indeed an option between new and old Australia.
Mark Holden: at that time, the ending was the most concerned
Sports performance in Australia
This is amazing.
It was such a pleasure to work with Guy and there was a reason for his longevity.
That's what he did when he was 70.
He did it when I was that old.
Marcia Heins: From the first time I heard him sing, I knew Sebastian would win.
He is a fashionable, young and intelligent future in the music industry . . . . . . I'm also waiting for the phone to get in touch with another series of new Australian idols.
I will be back there like a shot.