April 19, 2026 • 19 mins
In this episode of TV Reload, Benjamin Norris chats with Australian Idol winner, Kesha. They dive into the emotional finale, discussing Kesha's genuine connection with the audience and her journey to the top. They also explore the bond between Kesha and her fellow finalists. Including Kilani and Harlan. And the rumours of a love triangle. Additionally, Kesha shares her thoughts on breaking the cycle of female winners and her plans for her music career. With honesty and self reflection, Kesha opens up about her experiences and what's next for this talented young artist.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
It's in the news today, but it was actually on
TV Reload, the podcast Last Beak their line yeaday, guys,
welcome back to TV Reload. My name is Benjamin Norris,
and today we are unpacking the grand finale of Australian
Idol and I have your winner, Kesher joining me, fresh
off that huge victory.
Speaker 2 (00:16):
Now, I'm going to be.
Speaker 1 (00:17):
Honest and say I wasn't convinced that she had this
locked in until the final performances, but when it mattered most,
Kesha absolutely delivered because there was something about the way
that she took the stage and connected with the audience
and just owned the last few moments and it felt
like the win was hers. And what makes this even
more special is it's not just the voice with Kesher,
(00:39):
although yes, the vocals are incredible, it's the joy. There's
something genuinely infectious about the way that Kesher as an
artist performs. She looks like she's having the best time
every single time she sings, and I think that Australia completely.
Speaker 2 (00:53):
Fell in love with that.
Speaker 1 (00:55):
In this episode, we're going to dive into the emotional finale.
What was going through her head the votes came in
while she was genuinely shocked by the result and the
bond that she'd formed with her fellow finalists right to
the very end. We're also going to talk about breaking
the cycle of the female winner navigating social media during
the competition and why this isn't just the end goal,
(01:16):
it's just the beginning of her music career. Plus I
do try and get to the bottom of those behind
the scenes rumors. Yes, that whole Australian Idol love triangle
that apparently was happening behind the scenes, and Kesha does
give her take on this, So there's something really interesting
in that. This is a really fun, honest chat with
one of Australia's newest stars. So guys, let's get straight
(01:39):
into it. Here is my conversation with your Australian Idol winner.
Speaker 2 (01:43):
It's Kesha.
Speaker 1 (01:45):
Hi, Kesha, gooday, how are you. I'm doing really well.
How are you coping with your celebration day?
Speaker 3 (01:51):
Yeah?
Speaker 4 (01:52):
Good good. It's been nice and busy this morning.
Speaker 5 (01:55):
So's just getting a nice little taste into this into
the music the world.
Speaker 4 (02:00):
It's been fun.
Speaker 5 (02:01):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (02:01):
Do you know what I want to say this to you?
Do you know what's so funny was that I was
talking to someone from seven last week and I was
talking about who I thought was going to win, and
I didn't think it was going to be you. But
then I watched the first part of the Grand finale
and I just felt like you slayed that. You know that,
for the last opportunity for the Australian public to vote,
you could not have played that any better.
Speaker 4 (02:23):
Thank you?
Speaker 1 (02:24):
Can I just say this sounds like a really daggy
thing to say, but Kesha, you're just so damn lovable,
something very genuine about who you are as a person,
and there's something very infectious about the way that you
sing as well, because yes, you're hitting all of those notes,
but you always look like you're having such.
Speaker 2 (02:43):
A good time.
Speaker 4 (02:44):
Thank you. Yeah.
Speaker 5 (02:45):
You know what, whenever I get onto this stage in
Australian Idol, I just try the best to have the
best time possible. And as much as it is a competition, it's.
Speaker 4 (02:53):
Also singing and it's doing what you love. But that's
a really special part of it.
Speaker 1 (02:57):
When did you think that you had a chance to
win this, Like, when did you do you start thinking, oh,
maybe it is going.
Speaker 5 (03:02):
To be me. I went into the competition obviously in
my head being like a win would be really cool,
but let's just take it performance by performance, week by
week and give it a shot. You know, just don't
get too far ahead of the game, because then you
get lost in the madness.
Speaker 4 (03:16):
So there was never a time where I was like,
I've got this over these contestants.
Speaker 5 (03:22):
Like, there was never a time where I was sure
that I was better or people liked me more, because
it was such an even competition between everyone. I truly
believe everyone was so amazingly equally talented.
Speaker 4 (03:33):
So being on that stage with Kilane and Holland, I
did not know what was going to happen.
Speaker 3 (03:37):
I really didn't know.
Speaker 4 (03:38):
I think there's been a lot of opinions like that.
Speaker 1 (03:41):
It was weird though, when you you look genuinely shocked. Though,
when Kilani was out and you were still there, you
looked like you didn't believe it, which I thought was
really strange because I, as I said, I thought you had.
Speaker 2 (03:52):
It in the bag.
Speaker 4 (03:53):
Oh thank you.
Speaker 5 (03:54):
Yeah, you know what, I think half of it's come
from demming, from making so many funs and it's not
a fun thing to see your friends go, and you know,
it's such a weird way to regulate emotions because you're
happy that you're there, and you're so happy that Harland's there,
only you're upset to your other friends not there.
Speaker 4 (04:16):
So yeah, I was definitely shocked.
Speaker 5 (04:18):
I mean, I think Colan's one of the most talented
people I know, so I was, Yeah, I was really shocked.
Speaker 1 (04:22):
Do you think that you'll have a different bond with
your two finalists over the rest of the other Top twelve?
Speaker 4 (04:29):
Oh, you know what, I think we're all very close,
I really do.
Speaker 5 (04:33):
I think it's really special this season how close we
have become. And yeah, I'm just very grateful for everyone's
support and encouragement, and.
Speaker 4 (04:44):
I think we've also had the best time.
Speaker 1 (04:46):
I was talking to someone who's very close to the
show and they were telling me that everyone's really close.
They're all really good friends. And Kyle made a comment
to Harlan a few weeks ago and said, you know,
something was happening behind the scenes.
Speaker 2 (05:00):
Now I've been trying.
Speaker 1 (05:01):
To put all this together and I was told there
was a bit of a three way romance.
Speaker 2 (05:06):
Not to say that it officiated, but there was. And
so I need you to help me.
Speaker 1 (05:10):
I feel like, you know, Includo, where you've got like
the deck of cards the middle of the board game
and you've got to try and guess location, weapon, and person.
Speaker 5 (05:18):
What is this?
Speaker 2 (05:19):
Who are the three people in the love tangle?
Speaker 5 (05:22):
It's very up to interpretation because everyone has you know,
everyone sees things differently. But you know, there's just been
people that have gotten very close in the competition.
Speaker 4 (05:31):
And it's all been just friends. It's very friendly. We're
all very tight and close with each other. But it's
just been in a very supportive, friendly way.
Speaker 2 (05:41):
So are you talking about.
Speaker 4 (05:43):
That?
Speaker 1 (05:44):
You're saying that there's just because you know, in like
the Real I don't know cash you Actually you don't
strike me as anyone that's watched The Real Housewives. But
like in the Housewives, the girls always fight with each
other because they're like, I want to be that person's
best friend. Has there been a triangle of friends that
are a bit comparedive?
Speaker 2 (06:00):
Is that what it is?
Speaker 5 (06:01):
No?
Speaker 4 (06:02):
No, you know, I think everyone's just noticed how close
we really have got.
Speaker 3 (06:06):
You know, you know, we when we leave the competition
for the day, we go out.
Speaker 5 (06:10):
For dinner all together, and people see that, and I
think it's a really cool connection that we do have.
Or you know, if we're not at dinner, we're in
someone's from jamming, or we're watching the you know, a
replay of the show with everyone, and it's really cool.
So I think it's been very notice.
Speaker 4 (06:24):
By you know, the judges and the hosts and the crew.
Speaker 5 (06:27):
Behind the scenes. So yeah, it's a really special connection.
You know, no one else knows what you're going through
except for those people, so.
Speaker 4 (06:33):
It's really cool.
Speaker 2 (06:34):
Yeah, I get that, And I also feel now like
some weirdo asking.
Speaker 4 (06:39):
It's been so funny.
Speaker 6 (06:40):
Everyone's been speculating if you've been romantic or friends, and
we're all just we're all just very close friends and
it's really I mean, you know, we're that close that
people think that half.
Speaker 4 (06:52):
Of us are romantic with each other, and it's just
it's just so friendly. It's really cool.
Speaker 1 (06:57):
Okay, I don't want to get any weirder from this.
I feel like there's a weird uncle asking so weird questions.
But I wanted to ask you about the importance of
being a woman winning Australian Idol and breaking this cycle.
How important was it for you to break that cycle
and stand out and become a female Australian Idol.
Speaker 5 (07:19):
Yeah, you know, it was a hard line between focusing
too much on the fact that I was female and
then steering away from the talent, because in the end,
it's a competition.
Speaker 4 (07:30):
It's a vocal competition, and.
Speaker 5 (07:31):
Whoever has the best voice should win, or whoever has
not the best voice.
Speaker 4 (07:35):
Actually, that's not the way to say. Whoever has the
voice that people are drawn to.
Speaker 5 (07:39):
You know, everyone has their own opinions, and it's just
I guess the wider community is drawn to this voice, and.
Speaker 4 (07:44):
Then that community is dawn to that one. And I
can tell you that, you know, there's people in the audience.
It's all equal with signs and the people who are supporting,
you know, the contestants. It's all very equal.
Speaker 5 (07:56):
So yeah, it was a very fine line between let's
not photos too much on the fact that I'm winning
just because I'm a girl, and then focusing on the
fact that it is because we need to break this record,
and that's really cool. So it was really awesome that
people heard that and rallied with it because I think
it was really important for all girls and you know,
(08:17):
young girls, young guys, like anyone, to just say to
put your mind to something, you can achieve.
Speaker 1 (08:21):
It did you have a relationship on knowledge of any
of these past female winners, Like, I mean, I guess
when you look at Australian Idol, it's come back. This
is its second iteration, so you're kind of looking at
walking before it. They're like your parents' generation. Yeah, but
you know what I mean, Like, it's in what relationship
do you have to the original Idol winners that were female?
(08:42):
Did you know Casey Donovan, did you know Kate Derouge?
Like what was your relationship with some.
Speaker 2 (08:46):
Of these people?
Speaker 4 (08:47):
Yeah? I mean, you know what, They're just amazing people.
I think it's really cool.
Speaker 5 (08:51):
As I said to Marsha, I'm so inspired by women
in power and women following.
Speaker 3 (08:57):
What they want to do and putting their foot down.
Speaker 5 (08:59):
And tasting it and going with it. And I think
that's a really inspiring.
Speaker 4 (09:04):
Attitude for a woman to have.
Speaker 5 (09:07):
And yeah, watching those girls just go out there and
smash it and just strive for what they want is
really inspiring. And I think that's an amazing thing for
people to look up to and people to see.
Speaker 1 (09:18):
And you don't always have to win as well, because
I look at it when I think if Ricula called
her and I can tell you, Kesha. I had the
privilege once of sitting at an award show and I
had to I got to sit next to her. Actually
it was the second time that it had happened to me.
I went to the opening of The Lion King in
two thousand and four. So this is like, you probably
won't even born, and I said, yeah, just born. So
(09:39):
I sat next to Riculae. She ate three bags of
tiny teddies while sitting next to me that she bought
in her purse, very rigularly. But the thing about her is, yeah,
she is a legend. She is so good and she
didn't need to win the competition. So look, there's been
some pretty amazing Australian Idol alumni out.
Speaker 4 (09:57):
There, you know, yeah, exactly.
Speaker 5 (09:59):
I mean, I just think everyone in the competition is amazing,
and you see a lot of people who don't win
that just take the experience. I've got the competition and flourish.
So I have no doubt that everyone this season will flourish.
And it's just the beginning of seeing what everyone has
to offer. I'm really excited myself to see everyone.
Speaker 2 (10:18):
So where do you see it?
Speaker 1 (10:19):
Like, do you see yourself as I've won a reality
show or do you see yourself as this is sort
of just a part of a story about becoming an artist.
Speaker 5 (10:29):
Yeah, I mean music always been the plan.
Speaker 4 (10:31):
It's always been ABCD. You know, I've never had something
that I wanted to do as much as music, and
it would.
Speaker 3 (10:38):
Be Yeah, I mean, I have one a reality show, really.
Speaker 4 (10:41):
And that's amazing.
Speaker 5 (10:42):
And I think this is such a hectic stepping stone
on my way to a musical career and I'm very
grateful for that.
Speaker 4 (10:49):
So I'm going to.
Speaker 5 (10:50):
Take that and just roll with it and use it
to my advantage as much as I can because it's
a very amazing opportunity.
Speaker 1 (10:56):
I'll people be talking about it for years. I'll be
watching some of your performances four years. Like my partner
doesn't always love watching the reality shows as much as
I do, but I make him watch Australian Idol with me.
Speaker 2 (11:07):
He's watched every episode this season, the poor bugger.
Speaker 1 (11:09):
But anyway, and I just thought when you were performing
with Vanessara Amarossi, who I love because she's from my generation.
Now I'm sounding old again, but you know, your take
on her lyrics was just as powerful. Where you know, Harlan,
I thought was great with Anthony clear But Anthony Clears
still just nailed it to the floor, do you know
(11:31):
what I mean? Where you stood next to Vanessa Amrossi
and you held those lyrics in a way there was
just as iconic as something that we had heard forever.
Speaker 4 (11:40):
You know, how did you play thank You?
Speaker 1 (11:43):
How did you put that together with her? And also
I feel like there's a bit of a rap part.
It's not a rap, but she sort of does this thing.
How did you navigate who was going to do the
lyrics in that song to make it work? So well?
Speaker 5 (11:54):
You know what, the talent, the vocal team really really
helped in that department. The music team that absolutely amazing,
and they're so knowledgeable, so they kind of put ideas
towards you and then you kind of work with them
on that and yeah, you share the creativeness around.
Speaker 4 (12:10):
So it's a really cool space to be in. And
we just, yeah, we just vibed on stage.
Speaker 5 (12:16):
We had a really nice meet before we went on
stage and then like this don't know, an hour or something,
and we just had fun, like we were just vibing
off each other, and.
Speaker 4 (12:24):
I think it really showed in the performance. We were
just I was stoked to be there and.
Speaker 5 (12:28):
She was amazing to share the space.
Speaker 1 (12:31):
Yeah, she was sort of responding to it as well.
You know, one of my favorite things about you as
an artist is this like you're having such a good time.
There's almost like the little giggle that you have behind
your music. I don't think I've ever noticed that as
an artist ever, and I think I think if anyone
had tried to describe that to me, I think it
would be really distracting.
Speaker 2 (12:52):
But it's so infectious and I hope.
Speaker 1 (12:55):
Thank you when we hear your music on the radio,
that we still get to hear the joy that you
bring to just enjoying singing music.
Speaker 4 (13:04):
Yes, for sure, you know I love singing music.
Speaker 5 (13:06):
I think it really showed, you know, throughout the show.
Speaker 4 (13:09):
But with the Olivia Deans wrong, I've just done.
Speaker 5 (13:11):
You know.
Speaker 4 (13:11):
It wasn't my you know, most hectic vocal.
Speaker 3 (13:14):
Song, but I just had so much fun and I
was dancing a little hard away and.
Speaker 5 (13:19):
I had the biggest smile in my face and in
that moment in time, Yeah, the vocals weren't.
Speaker 4 (13:25):
It wasn't my main focus.
Speaker 5 (13:26):
It was just having fun and making everyone else have fun.
And I think I achieved that, So that was really cool.
Speaker 1 (13:31):
Well that's what sold you the competition. I think that's
what lockd un loaded you. I want to ask you
about Kyle Sandel Lance because he's been an amazing big
teddy bear this season, got a heart of it. And
it's funny because I do know Kyle and I think
he is like I think anyone that ever has worked
with him or knows him, they know that he's a
really great guy.
Speaker 2 (13:50):
But yeah, a lot of people over the.
Speaker 1 (13:52):
Last few days are like, is because Kyle's having all
of this stuff in the media at the moment with
Kyle and Jackio, is he just pretending to be nice?
Speaker 2 (13:59):
What is your on Kyle?
Speaker 1 (14:01):
And he's dancing on the tabletops and being so supportive
this season. Do you think that's performative or do you
think that's just Kyle?
Speaker 5 (14:09):
Well no, no, I think it would take a lot
of brain power to be that performative. And I just
don't think that that type of person. He's honestly been
so it's so kind and so supportive and yeah, I
mean I haven't seen that man got on the table ever.
So that was really cool, and you know, you don't
just yeah, I think if people thought it was performative
(14:30):
then and it's very overperformed them because you don't just
get on the table for some good press. You know.
Speaker 3 (14:37):
It's just he's very he's a really kind person, and I.
Speaker 5 (14:41):
Think the media can depict people in certain ways. And
I'm such a believer and you know, you can never
judge people until you've met them three times. The first
time they could be off, the second time, they could
be in the best mood ever. In the third time,
usually you know how they actually are.
Speaker 4 (14:56):
So yeah, I just think, yeah.
Speaker 5 (14:58):
It's just it's it's social media can be a cruel
thing sometimes because you have great people like that just
supporting young artists that yeah, people don't believe. So he's
a great guy. He's a really great guy and the
support from him has been so overwhelmingly amazing.
Speaker 1 (15:15):
Do you think that this is what I always think
about Australian idol? Do you reckon we should turn the
comments section off because I think it's important that you know, well, yeah,
I've started starting to think that because it's not like
a show where you're going on there to be like
I've got the big personality, like like a big brother
or something like that.
Speaker 2 (15:33):
Like idol is.
Speaker 1 (15:34):
Young people trying to get ahead with their music career.
So like people's interpretation. You know, I might like some
piece of music, another person might like something. We're all
so subjective, So yeah, it drives me wild that anyone
would be sitting at home thinking I'm going to go
online and write something negative, Like what, how do you
(15:56):
respond to it? Because I mean I don't think I
even read anything negative that anyone said about you at all.
But you know, how do you go about reading social
media and stuff like that? Do you avoid it or
do you just try and have fun with it?
Speaker 3 (16:09):
Yeah?
Speaker 5 (16:09):
You know what, I have been active on social media
and I love my comments because most of them are
very kind, and I really like making people feel seen
when they have commented kind things. I really like to
jump in my comment section and like all the comments.
Speaker 4 (16:25):
And yeah, I mean you do see bad comments. You
see them about everyone. No one's got a full positive
you know. But yeah, it's just I don't know.
Speaker 5 (16:38):
I just think it's so important to stay kind because,
like you said, it's young people just following a goal,
and I think it yeah, I think it's it's not
it's it's nasty to pull people down for giving something
a shot, you know, but in the end, you can't
impress everyone, and that's okay, and you've got to be
(16:59):
all right with that, because otherwise you get in your head,
you really do, and it's very easy to go down
this rabbit hole of that person for that.
Speaker 4 (17:07):
And then that person agreed with them.
Speaker 5 (17:08):
And now I'm going to train the people agreeing that,
you know, I shouldn't live one or something.
Speaker 3 (17:12):
And it's well, whatever you did, so just be happy
and you did the best you could, and.
Speaker 5 (17:18):
You got on stage and you're on TV and competing
and giving something.
Speaker 4 (17:22):
You're all so nuss enough.
Speaker 1 (17:24):
Well, anyone that's ever said a bad word about your
casher on the social media site, I guarantee they're just jealous.
That's all I'm telling you. I'm just jealous. To wrap
this up, I always ask it behind the scenes question,
and I think that behind the scenes question that everyone
would wanted to know after the lights went off and
we finished recording last night, was what were the interactions
like between you and Killany and Harlan, Like, what was
(17:47):
that response once you'd won?
Speaker 2 (17:50):
What were those boys like with you?
Speaker 5 (17:52):
Yeah, we just gave each other the biggest hug of
our lives. We just told each other how much we
loved each other and how proud we were, and we
all just had the biggest smile on our faces. I
couldn't have asked for two more supportive people to be
on that stage with, and just behind the scenes, exactly
what you see on CAMA. It's supportive, it's loving, it's happy,
(18:13):
it's cheerful.
Speaker 4 (18:14):
And just we just can't wait to keep supporting each.
Speaker 2 (18:18):
Other being in each other's audience, which I think is important.
Speaker 4 (18:22):
Exactly oh exactly one P.
Speaker 1 (18:24):
I also really hope that you get to keep some
of those really crazy mad Max beyond the thunderedome clothing
that you had throughout the competition, Like.
Speaker 4 (18:31):
You can put one on right now.
Speaker 1 (18:34):
When I watched A Straight Night when it first started,
like I was like twenty three, I remember, you know
Rob Mills would wear a T shirt you could go
and buy it from industry. They always wore clothes that
were at Mare and DJs and all the rest of it.
The clothing from this series is so fun and so bompers,
so crazy.
Speaker 4 (18:53):
Would they like to make too much everything?
Speaker 2 (18:55):
It's so cool, it's amazing. Bok, do you get to
keep it all think. Yeah, I'm taking want take it
up with me.
Speaker 1 (19:01):
Congratulations, my love, have the best time celebrating all of this.
Thank you for being so generous with your time and
talking to me today. I'm such a big fan and
I will buy all of your music forever. Let me
tell you that I'm in your audience.
Speaker 3 (19:15):
So yeah, no, I thought you don't have to buy each.
Speaker 2 (19:20):
No, I'll buy it. It's all right.
Speaker 4 (19:22):
Thank you so much. I really appreciate it. It's very kind.
Speaker 2 (19:25):
Thank you, Cheers much love to you. Look after yourself.
It's in the news today, but it was actually on
TV Reload, the podcast Last Beak their line yeaday, guys,
welcome back to TV Reload. My name is Benjamin Norris,
and today we are unpacking the grand finale of Australian
Idol and I have your winner, Kesher joining me, fresh
off that huge victory.
Speaker 2 (00:16):
Now, I'm going to be.
Speaker 1 (00:17):
Honest and say I wasn't convinced that she had this
locked in until the final performances, but when it mattered most,
Kesha absolutely delivered because there was something about the way
that she took the stage and connected with the audience
and just owned the last few moments and it felt
like the win was hers. And what makes this even
more special is it's not just the voice with Kesher,
(00:39):
although yes, the vocals are incredible, it's the joy. There's
something genuinely infectious about the way that Kesher as an
artist performs. She looks like she's having the best time
every single time she sings, and I think that Australia completely.
Speaker 2 (00:53):
Fell in love with that.
Speaker 1 (00:55):
In this episode, we're going to dive into the emotional finale.
What was going through her head the votes came in
while she was genuinely shocked by the result and the
bond that she'd formed with her fellow finalists right to
the very end. We're also going to talk about breaking
the cycle of the female winner navigating social media during
the competition and why this isn't just the end goal,
(01:16):
it's just the beginning of her music career. Plus I
do try and get to the bottom of those behind
the scenes rumors. Yes, that whole Australian Idol love triangle
that apparently was happening behind the scenes, and Kesha does
give her take on this, So there's something really interesting
in that. This is a really fun, honest chat with
one of Australia's newest stars. So guys, let's get straight
(01:39):
into it. Here is my conversation with your Australian Idol winner.
Speaker 2 (01:43):
It's Kesha.
Speaker 1 (01:45):
Hi, Kesha, gooday, how are you. I'm doing really well.
How are you coping with your celebration day?
Speaker 3 (01:51):
Yeah?
Speaker 4 (01:52):
Good good. It's been nice and busy this morning.
Speaker 5 (01:55):
So's just getting a nice little taste into this into
the music the world.
Speaker 4 (02:00):
It's been fun.
Speaker 5 (02:01):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (02:01):
Do you know what I want to say this to you?
Do you know what's so funny was that I was
talking to someone from seven last week and I was
talking about who I thought was going to win, and
I didn't think it was going to be you. But
then I watched the first part of the Grand finale
and I just felt like you slayed that. You know that,
for the last opportunity for the Australian public to vote,
you could not have played that any better.
Speaker 4 (02:23):
Thank you?
Speaker 1 (02:24):
Can I just say this sounds like a really daggy
thing to say, but Kesha, you're just so damn lovable,
something very genuine about who you are as a person,
and there's something very infectious about the way that you
sing as well, because yes, you're hitting all of those notes,
but you always look like you're having such.
Speaker 2 (02:43):
A good time.
Speaker 4 (02:44):
Thank you. Yeah.
Speaker 5 (02:45):
You know what, whenever I get onto this stage in
Australian Idol, I just try the best to have the
best time possible. And as much as it is a competition, it's.
Speaker 4 (02:53):
Also singing and it's doing what you love. But that's
a really special part of it.
Speaker 1 (02:57):
When did you think that you had a chance to
win this, Like, when did you do you start thinking, oh,
maybe it is going.
Speaker 5 (03:02):
To be me. I went into the competition obviously in
my head being like a win would be really cool,
but let's just take it performance by performance, week by
week and give it a shot. You know, just don't
get too far ahead of the game, because then you
get lost in the madness.
Speaker 4 (03:16):
So there was never a time where I was like,
I've got this over these contestants.
Speaker 5 (03:22):
Like, there was never a time where I was sure
that I was better or people liked me more, because
it was such an even competition between everyone. I truly
believe everyone was so amazingly equally talented.
Speaker 4 (03:33):
So being on that stage with Kilane and Holland, I
did not know what was going to happen.
Speaker 3 (03:37):
I really didn't know.
Speaker 4 (03:38):
I think there's been a lot of opinions like that.
Speaker 1 (03:41):
It was weird though, when you you look genuinely shocked. Though,
when Kilani was out and you were still there, you
looked like you didn't believe it, which I thought was
really strange because I, as I said, I thought you had.
Speaker 2 (03:52):
It in the bag.
Speaker 4 (03:53):
Oh thank you.
Speaker 5 (03:54):
Yeah, you know what, I think half of it's come
from demming, from making so many funs and it's not
a fun thing to see your friends go, and you know,
it's such a weird way to regulate emotions because you're
happy that you're there, and you're so happy that Harland's there,
only you're upset to your other friends not there.
Speaker 4 (04:16):
So yeah, I was definitely shocked.
Speaker 5 (04:18):
I mean, I think Colan's one of the most talented
people I know, so I was, Yeah, I was really shocked.
Speaker 1 (04:22):
Do you think that you'll have a different bond with
your two finalists over the rest of the other Top twelve?
Speaker 4 (04:29):
Oh, you know what, I think we're all very close,
I really do.
Speaker 5 (04:33):
I think it's really special this season how close we
have become. And yeah, I'm just very grateful for everyone's
support and encouragement, and.
Speaker 4 (04:44):
I think we've also had the best time.
Speaker 1 (04:46):
I was talking to someone who's very close to the
show and they were telling me that everyone's really close.
They're all really good friends. And Kyle made a comment
to Harlan a few weeks ago and said, you know,
something was happening behind the scenes.
Speaker 2 (05:00):
Now I've been trying.
Speaker 1 (05:01):
To put all this together and I was told there
was a bit of a three way romance.
Speaker 2 (05:06):
Not to say that it officiated, but there was. And
so I need you to help me.
Speaker 1 (05:10):
I feel like, you know, Includo, where you've got like
the deck of cards the middle of the board game
and you've got to try and guess location, weapon, and person.
Speaker 5 (05:18):
What is this?
Speaker 2 (05:19):
Who are the three people in the love tangle?
Speaker 5 (05:22):
It's very up to interpretation because everyone has you know,
everyone sees things differently. But you know, there's just been
people that have gotten very close in the competition.
Speaker 4 (05:31):
And it's all been just friends. It's very friendly. We're
all very tight and close with each other. But it's
just been in a very supportive, friendly way.
Speaker 2 (05:41):
So are you talking about.
Speaker 4 (05:43):
That?
Speaker 1 (05:44):
You're saying that there's just because you know, in like
the Real I don't know cash you Actually you don't
strike me as anyone that's watched The Real Housewives. But
like in the Housewives, the girls always fight with each
other because they're like, I want to be that person's
best friend. Has there been a triangle of friends that
are a bit comparedive?
Speaker 2 (06:00):
Is that what it is?
Speaker 5 (06:01):
No?
Speaker 4 (06:02):
No, you know, I think everyone's just noticed how close
we really have got.
Speaker 3 (06:06):
You know, you know, we when we leave the competition
for the day, we go out.
Speaker 5 (06:10):
For dinner all together, and people see that, and I
think it's a really cool connection that we do have.
Or you know, if we're not at dinner, we're in
someone's from jamming, or we're watching the you know, a
replay of the show with everyone, and it's really cool.
So I think it's been very notice.
Speaker 4 (06:24):
By you know, the judges and the hosts and the crew.
Speaker 5 (06:27):
Behind the scenes. So yeah, it's a really special connection.
You know, no one else knows what you're going through
except for those people, so.
Speaker 4 (06:33):
It's really cool.
Speaker 2 (06:34):
Yeah, I get that, And I also feel now like
some weirdo asking.
Speaker 4 (06:39):
It's been so funny.
Speaker 6 (06:40):
Everyone's been speculating if you've been romantic or friends, and
we're all just we're all just very close friends and
it's really I mean, you know, we're that close that
people think that half.
Speaker 4 (06:52):
Of us are romantic with each other, and it's just
it's just so friendly. It's really cool.
Speaker 1 (06:57):
Okay, I don't want to get any weirder from this.
I feel like there's a weird uncle asking so weird questions.
But I wanted to ask you about the importance of
being a woman winning Australian Idol and breaking this cycle.
How important was it for you to break that cycle
and stand out and become a female Australian Idol.
Speaker 5 (07:19):
Yeah, you know, it was a hard line between focusing
too much on the fact that I was female and
then steering away from the talent, because in the end,
it's a competition.
Speaker 4 (07:30):
It's a vocal competition, and.
Speaker 5 (07:31):
Whoever has the best voice should win, or whoever has
not the best voice.
Speaker 4 (07:35):
Actually, that's not the way to say. Whoever has the
voice that people are drawn to.
Speaker 5 (07:39):
You know, everyone has their own opinions, and it's just
I guess the wider community is drawn to this voice, and.
Speaker 4 (07:44):
Then that community is dawn to that one. And I
can tell you that, you know, there's people in the audience.
It's all equal with signs and the people who are supporting,
you know, the contestants. It's all very equal.
Speaker 5 (07:56):
So yeah, it was a very fine line between let's
not photos too much on the fact that I'm winning
just because I'm a girl, and then focusing on the
fact that it is because we need to break this record,
and that's really cool. So it was really awesome that
people heard that and rallied with it because I think
it was really important for all girls and you know,
(08:17):
young girls, young guys, like anyone, to just say to
put your mind to something, you can achieve.
Speaker 1 (08:21):
It did you have a relationship on knowledge of any
of these past female winners, Like, I mean, I guess
when you look at Australian Idol, it's come back. This
is its second iteration, so you're kind of looking at
walking before it. They're like your parents' generation. Yeah, but
you know what I mean, Like, it's in what relationship
do you have to the original Idol winners that were female?
(08:42):
Did you know Casey Donovan, did you know Kate Derouge?
Like what was your relationship with some.
Speaker 2 (08:46):
Of these people?
Speaker 4 (08:47):
Yeah? I mean, you know what, They're just amazing people.
I think it's really cool.
Speaker 5 (08:51):
As I said to Marsha, I'm so inspired by women
in power and women following.
Speaker 3 (08:57):
What they want to do and putting their foot down.
Speaker 5 (08:59):
And tasting it and going with it. And I think
that's a really inspiring.
Speaker 4 (09:04):
Attitude for a woman to have.
Speaker 5 (09:07):
And yeah, watching those girls just go out there and
smash it and just strive for what they want is
really inspiring. And I think that's an amazing thing for
people to look up to and people to see.
Speaker 1 (09:18):
And you don't always have to win as well, because
I look at it when I think if Ricula called
her and I can tell you, Kesha. I had the
privilege once of sitting at an award show and I
had to I got to sit next to her. Actually
it was the second time that it had happened to me.
I went to the opening of The Lion King in
two thousand and four. So this is like, you probably
won't even born, and I said, yeah, just born. So
(09:39):
I sat next to Riculae. She ate three bags of
tiny teddies while sitting next to me that she bought
in her purse, very rigularly. But the thing about her is, yeah,
she is a legend. She is so good and she
didn't need to win the competition. So look, there's been
some pretty amazing Australian Idol alumni out.
Speaker 4 (09:57):
There, you know, yeah, exactly.
Speaker 5 (09:59):
I mean, I just think everyone in the competition is amazing,
and you see a lot of people who don't win
that just take the experience. I've got the competition and flourish.
So I have no doubt that everyone this season will flourish.
And it's just the beginning of seeing what everyone has
to offer. I'm really excited myself to see everyone.
Speaker 2 (10:18):
So where do you see it?
Speaker 1 (10:19):
Like, do you see yourself as I've won a reality
show or do you see yourself as this is sort
of just a part of a story about becoming an artist.
Speaker 5 (10:29):
Yeah, I mean music always been the plan.
Speaker 4 (10:31):
It's always been ABCD. You know, I've never had something
that I wanted to do as much as music, and
it would.
Speaker 3 (10:38):
Be Yeah, I mean, I have one a reality show, really.
Speaker 4 (10:41):
And that's amazing.
Speaker 5 (10:42):
And I think this is such a hectic stepping stone
on my way to a musical career and I'm very
grateful for that.
Speaker 4 (10:49):
So I'm going to.
Speaker 5 (10:50):
Take that and just roll with it and use it
to my advantage as much as I can because it's
a very amazing opportunity.
Speaker 1 (10:56):
I'll people be talking about it for years. I'll be
watching some of your performances four years. Like my partner
doesn't always love watching the reality shows as much as
I do, but I make him watch Australian Idol with me.
Speaker 2 (11:07):
He's watched every episode this season, the poor bugger.
Speaker 1 (11:09):
But anyway, and I just thought when you were performing
with Vanessara Amarossi, who I love because she's from my generation.
Now I'm sounding old again, but you know, your take
on her lyrics was just as powerful. Where you know, Harlan,
I thought was great with Anthony clear But Anthony Clears
still just nailed it to the floor, do you know
(11:31):
what I mean? Where you stood next to Vanessa Amrossi
and you held those lyrics in a way there was
just as iconic as something that we had heard forever.
Speaker 4 (11:40):
You know, how did you play thank You?
Speaker 1 (11:43):
How did you put that together with her? And also
I feel like there's a bit of a rap part.
It's not a rap, but she sort of does this thing.
How did you navigate who was going to do the
lyrics in that song to make it work? So well?
Speaker 5 (11:54):
You know what, the talent, the vocal team really really
helped in that department. The music team that absolutely amazing,
and they're so knowledgeable, so they kind of put ideas
towards you and then you kind of work with them
on that and yeah, you share the creativeness around.
Speaker 4 (12:10):
So it's a really cool space to be in. And
we just, yeah, we just vibed on stage.
Speaker 5 (12:16):
We had a really nice meet before we went on
stage and then like this don't know, an hour or something,
and we just had fun, like we were just vibing
off each other, and.
Speaker 4 (12:24):
I think it really showed in the performance. We were
just I was stoked to be there and.
Speaker 5 (12:28):
She was amazing to share the space.
Speaker 1 (12:31):
Yeah, she was sort of responding to it as well.
You know, one of my favorite things about you as
an artist is this like you're having such a good time.
There's almost like the little giggle that you have behind
your music. I don't think I've ever noticed that as
an artist ever, and I think I think if anyone
had tried to describe that to me, I think it
would be really distracting.
Speaker 2 (12:52):
But it's so infectious and I hope.
Speaker 1 (12:55):
Thank you when we hear your music on the radio,
that we still get to hear the joy that you
bring to just enjoying singing music.
Speaker 4 (13:04):
Yes, for sure, you know I love singing music.
Speaker 5 (13:06):
I think it really showed, you know, throughout the show.
Speaker 4 (13:09):
But with the Olivia Deans wrong, I've just done.
Speaker 5 (13:11):
You know.
Speaker 4 (13:11):
It wasn't my you know, most hectic vocal.
Speaker 3 (13:14):
Song, but I just had so much fun and I
was dancing a little hard away and.
Speaker 5 (13:19):
I had the biggest smile in my face and in
that moment in time, Yeah, the vocals weren't.
Speaker 4 (13:25):
It wasn't my main focus.
Speaker 5 (13:26):
It was just having fun and making everyone else have fun.
And I think I achieved that, So that was really cool.
Speaker 1 (13:31):
Well that's what sold you the competition. I think that's
what lockd un loaded you. I want to ask you
about Kyle Sandel Lance because he's been an amazing big
teddy bear this season, got a heart of it. And
it's funny because I do know Kyle and I think
he is like I think anyone that ever has worked
with him or knows him, they know that he's a
really great guy.
Speaker 2 (13:50):
But yeah, a lot of people over the.
Speaker 1 (13:52):
Last few days are like, is because Kyle's having all
of this stuff in the media at the moment with
Kyle and Jackio, is he just pretending to be nice?
Speaker 2 (13:59):
What is your on Kyle?
Speaker 1 (14:01):
And he's dancing on the tabletops and being so supportive
this season. Do you think that's performative or do you
think that's just Kyle?
Speaker 5 (14:09):
Well no, no, I think it would take a lot
of brain power to be that performative. And I just
don't think that that type of person. He's honestly been
so it's so kind and so supportive and yeah, I
mean I haven't seen that man got on the table ever.
So that was really cool, and you know, you don't
just yeah, I think if people thought it was performative
(14:30):
then and it's very overperformed them because you don't just
get on the table for some good press. You know.
Speaker 3 (14:37):
It's just he's very he's a really kind person, and I.
Speaker 5 (14:41):
Think the media can depict people in certain ways. And
I'm such a believer and you know, you can never
judge people until you've met them three times. The first
time they could be off, the second time, they could
be in the best mood ever. In the third time,
usually you know how they actually are.
Speaker 4 (14:56):
So yeah, I just think, yeah.
Speaker 5 (14:58):
It's just it's it's social media can be a cruel
thing sometimes because you have great people like that just
supporting young artists that yeah, people don't believe. So he's
a great guy. He's a really great guy and the
support from him has been so overwhelmingly amazing.
Speaker 1 (15:15):
Do you think that this is what I always think
about Australian idol? Do you reckon we should turn the
comments section off because I think it's important that you know, well, yeah,
I've started starting to think that because it's not like
a show where you're going on there to be like
I've got the big personality, like like a big brother
or something like that.
Speaker 2 (15:33):
Like idol is.
Speaker 1 (15:34):
Young people trying to get ahead with their music career.
So like people's interpretation. You know, I might like some
piece of music, another person might like something. We're all
so subjective, So yeah, it drives me wild that anyone
would be sitting at home thinking I'm going to go
online and write something negative, Like what, how do you
(15:56):
respond to it? Because I mean I don't think I
even read anything negative that anyone said about you at all.
But you know, how do you go about reading social
media and stuff like that? Do you avoid it or
do you just try and have fun with it?
Speaker 3 (16:09):
Yeah?
Speaker 5 (16:09):
You know what, I have been active on social media
and I love my comments because most of them are
very kind, and I really like making people feel seen
when they have commented kind things. I really like to
jump in my comment section and like all the comments.
Speaker 4 (16:25):
And yeah, I mean you do see bad comments. You
see them about everyone. No one's got a full positive
you know. But yeah, it's just I don't know.
Speaker 5 (16:38):
I just think it's so important to stay kind because,
like you said, it's young people just following a goal,
and I think it yeah, I think it's it's not
it's it's nasty to pull people down for giving something
a shot, you know, but in the end, you can't
impress everyone, and that's okay, and you've got to be
(16:59):
all right with that, because otherwise you get in your head,
you really do, and it's very easy to go down
this rabbit hole of that person for that.
Speaker 4 (17:07):
And then that person agreed with them.
Speaker 5 (17:08):
And now I'm going to train the people agreeing that,
you know, I shouldn't live one or something.
Speaker 3 (17:12):
And it's well, whatever you did, so just be happy
and you did the best you could, and.
Speaker 5 (17:18):
You got on stage and you're on TV and competing
and giving something.
Speaker 4 (17:22):
You're all so nuss enough.
Speaker 1 (17:24):
Well, anyone that's ever said a bad word about your
casher on the social media site, I guarantee they're just jealous.
That's all I'm telling you. I'm just jealous. To wrap
this up, I always ask it behind the scenes question,
and I think that behind the scenes question that everyone
would wanted to know after the lights went off and
we finished recording last night, was what were the interactions
like between you and Killany and Harlan, Like, what was
(17:47):
that response once you'd won?
Speaker 2 (17:50):
What were those boys like with you?
Speaker 5 (17:52):
Yeah, we just gave each other the biggest hug of
our lives. We just told each other how much we
loved each other and how proud we were, and we
all just had the biggest smile on our faces. I
couldn't have asked for two more supportive people to be
on that stage with, and just behind the scenes, exactly
what you see on CAMA. It's supportive, it's loving, it's happy,
(18:13):
it's cheerful.
Speaker 4 (18:14):
And just we just can't wait to keep supporting each.
Speaker 2 (18:18):
Other being in each other's audience, which I think is important.
Speaker 4 (18:22):
Exactly oh exactly one P.
Speaker 1 (18:24):
I also really hope that you get to keep some
of those really crazy mad Max beyond the thunderedome clothing
that you had throughout the competition, Like.
Speaker 4 (18:31):
You can put one on right now.
Speaker 1 (18:34):
When I watched A Straight Night when it first started,
like I was like twenty three, I remember, you know
Rob Mills would wear a T shirt you could go
and buy it from industry. They always wore clothes that
were at Mare and DJs and all the rest of it.
The clothing from this series is so fun and so bompers,
so crazy.
Speaker 4 (18:53):
Would they like to make too much everything?
Speaker 2 (18:55):
It's so cool, it's amazing. Bok, do you get to
keep it all think. Yeah, I'm taking want take it
up with me.
Speaker 1 (19:01):
Congratulations, my love, have the best time celebrating all of this.
Thank you for being so generous with your time and
talking to me today. I'm such a big fan and
I will buy all of your music forever. Let me
tell you that I'm in your audience.
Speaker 3 (19:15):
So yeah, no, I thought you don't have to buy each.
Speaker 2 (19:20):
No, I'll buy it. It's all right.
Speaker 4 (19:22):
Thank you so much. I really appreciate it. It's very kind.
Speaker 2 (19:25):
Thank you, Cheers much love to you. Look after yourself.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
Kingdom of Fraud
It’s the unlikeliest of criminal partnerships: a devout polygamist from an insular Utah sect joining forces with a shadowy Armenian tycoon from LA. The result - a billion dollar fraud conspiracy. In Kingdom of Fraud, investigative reporter Michele McPhee traces the origins of the extraordinary alliance between Jacob Kingston and Levon Termendzhyan. Together, the two men trigger the largest tax investigation in American history and weave around themselves a web of dirty cops, influential political relationships and transnational money laundering. All this is set against the backdrop of Jacob Kingston’s clan – The Order. A powerful and secretive polygamist organization in Salt Lake City. To whom Jacob is desperate to prove his worth. Kingdom of Fraud is produced by Novel for iHeart Podcasts. For more from Novel, visit https://novel.audio/. You can listen to new episodes of Kingdom of Fraud completely ad-free and 1 week early with an iHeart True Crime+ subscription, available exclusively on Apple Podcasts. Open your Apple Podcasts app, search for “iHeart True Crime+, and subscribe today!