Australian Idol (season 5) Contestants Natalie GauciWinner Matt CorbyRunner-up Carl Riseley12 November Marty Simpson5 November Tarisai Vushe29 October Daniel Mifsud22 October Ben McKenzie15 October Jacob Butler8 October Mark Da Costa1 October Lana Krost24 September Brianna Carpenter17 September Holly Weinert10 September The fifth season of Australian Idol premiered on 5 August 2007 on Network Ten. It concluded on 25 November.
Overview
Format changes The series was again hosted by Andrew G and James Mathison, with Ian "Dicko" Dickson returning to the show as one of the judges, along with Mark Holden, Marcia Hines and Kyle Sandilands. The show continued with the new format from Season 4, where contestants were permitted to perform original material for their audition and throughout the season, and play instruments as part of their performances.
Ratings The premiere episode of the 2007 series had 1.65 million viewers, making it the show's second highest rating series opener and 270,000 ahead of last year. The show was in the top ten most viewed shows for the early part of the series and eventually dropped to around number eighteen and nineteen for quite some time due to hot competition from Channel 7's Kath & Kim. The season was on a low compared to Season 4. The Top 5 performance show marked the re-commencement of higher ratings for the program and it reached number nine.
Auditions The auditions"Audition Locations" , Australian Idol official site , 2007 for Australian Idol (season 5) were run from March to May 2007. They were held in:
Kalgoorlie on 3 March Bunbury on 6 March Coffs Harbour on 10 March Dubbo on 14 March Canberra on 18 March Wollongong on 20 March Newcastle on 25 March Launceston on 31 March Hobart on 1 April
Wagga Wagga on 3 April Darwin on 14 April Rockhampton on 19 April Brisbane on 21 April and 22 Perth on 29 April Mildura on 4 May Adelaide on 6 May Melbourne on 12 May 13 and 14 Sydney on 19 May 20 and 21
Theatre Week (Seymour Centre) As in previous years, the theatre week, held at Sydney's Seymour Centre, consisted of three gruelling elimination rounds. For the first round, each contestant singing a cappella one song of their choice in front of the judges, before being told, based on that performance, whether they would be moving onto the next round.
The second round, (for the first time in Australian Idol history), the group rounds consisted of two boys and two girls, instead of a same gender group, as in previous seasons. Contestants were once again told whether they would be moving onto the next round based on these performances.
In the third and final round, each contestant was then to perform a song choice of their own choosing, in a solo performance in front of the judges and every other contestant. Based on these performances, each contestant was told, one at a time, whether they would become a part of the Top 24, or if their journey would end.
Semi-finals The semi-finals were run to the same format as the fourth season, with four groups of six performing solo in a live studio on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday night. On the Thursday night, the first eight finalists through to the Top 12 were announced, along with another eight of the remaining 24 chosen for the Wildcard show. These eight would be given a second chance to prove themselves worthy of one of the four remaining spots in the Top 12. The following Sunday night the wildcards would perform again with the results revealed on the Monday night.
The semi-finalists for 2007 were:
FemalesMalesBrianna CarpenterLyall AdonisJesse CurranDavid AndrewsCheray DoughtyJacob Butler*Natalie GauciJack ByrnesMorgan HoskingMatt CorbyLana KrostMark Da CostaSarah LloydeBen McKenzieMadison PritchettDaniel MifsudRosie RibbonsCarl RiseleySally Van Der ZwartMarty SimpsonTarisai VusheHusny ThalibHolly WeinertJunior To'o
Butler was a former contestant on the first series of The X Factor Australia. The 10 network allowed him to audition for Australian Idol.
Weekly Song Themes DateTheme10 SeptemberContestant's Choice17 SeptemberRock24 SeptemberDisco1 OctoberAcoustic8 OctoberBrit Pop15 OctoberThe Year You Were Born22 OctoberJudges'/ Contestant's Choice29 OctoberAustralian Made5 NovemberBig Band12 NovemberAudience / Contestant's Choice25 NovemberThe Grand Finale
The Top 12 Contestants
Natalie Gauci
Matt Corby
Carl Riseley
Carl Riseley (born 21 December 1982) was a 25-year-old from Sydney. He was advanced by the four judges to the final 12 through the Wildcard show. He has been awarded one "touchdown" from Mark Holden. Before Idol, Carl was a member of the Royal Australian Navy, where he plays the trumpet in the Navy Band. Carl was the final eliminee on 12 November 2007 when Natalie Gauci and Matt Corby proceeded into the Grand Final. He has a younger brother called Anthony. He is currently signed to Universal Records and will release his debut album The Rise in April 2008. Carl Riseley vocally supported axed judge Mark Holden on his departure in March 2008. Carl is referred to as the "swing king" and has been marketed in a Tom Jones type way.
Audition: Theatre Week (Round 1): Theatre Week (Round 3): Top 24: "Home" by Michael Bublé Wildcard Show: "Bye Bye Love" by The Everly Brothers Top 12 (Contestant's Choice): "Waltzing Matilda" by Banjo Paterson Top 11 (Rock): "Clocks" by Coldplay Top 10 (Disco): "September" by Earth, Wind & Fire Top 9 (Acoustic): "It's Alright with Me" by Harry Connick, Jr. Top 8 (Brit Pop): "Can't Buy Me Love" by The Beatles ~ Bottom 2 Top 7 (The Year You Were Born): "Turn Your Love Around" by George Benson Top 6 (Judge's Choice):: "It's Not Unusual" by Tom Jones – (Ian "Dicko" Dickson) ~ TOUCHDOWN! Top 6 (Contestant's Choice): "Jealous Guy" by John Lennon Top 5 (Australian Made): "Reminiscing" by Little River Band Top 4 (Big Band): "Just Kiss Me" by Harry Connick, Jr. Top 4 (Big Band): "Me and Mrs Jones" by Billy Paul Top 3 (Audience Choice): "You Give Me Something" by James Morrison Top 3 (Contestant's Choice): "For Once in My Life" by Stevie Wonder
Marty Simpson Marty Simpson is a 21-year-old from the Central Coast, New South Wales. He plays guitar, writes his own songs and has been described as a "bloke's bloke" by Mark Holden. Before Idol, he worked with his father as a bricklayer. He was eliminated on 5 November 2007. Marty was described by judges as lazy, something which he himself acknowledged. He finished in 4th place, and was in the bottom appearance four times before being eliminated. Although not initially named by Today Tonight as vote-rigging, he was later named and subsequently became the 4th in a row named that was eliminated. On leaving, Marty Simpson stated that he had been approached by Sony BMG in relation to a recording contract.
Audition: Theatre Week (Round 1): Theatre Week (Round 3): Top 24: "Over My Head (Cable Car)" by The Fray Top 12 (Contestant's Choice): "Can't Stand Losing You" by The Police Top 11 (Rock): "Jenny Don't Be Hasty" by Paolo Nutini – Bottom 2 Top 10 (Disco): "You Sexy Thing" by Hot Chocolate Top 9 (Acoustic): "Open Your Eyes" by Snow Patrol Top 8 (Brit Pop): "Naïve" by The Kooks Top 7 (The Year You Were Born): "Now We're Getting Somewhere" by Crowded House ~ Bottom 3 Top 6 (Judge's Choice):: "No Woman, No Cry" by Bob Marley – (Marcia Hines) Top 6 (Contestant's Choice): "Last Kiss" by Pearl Jam ~ Bottom 3 Top 5 (Australian Made): "These Days" by Powderfinger ~ Top 4 (Big Band): "Light My Fire" by The Doors Top 4 (Big Band): "American Baby" by Dave Matthews Band
Tarisai Vushe Tarisai Vushe (born 29 March 1987) is a Zimbabwe born, 23-year-old who auditioned in Sydney, New South Wales. Before Idol, she worked in her family store and studied psychology at university, while attending Hillsong Church affiliate Shirelive Church . She was eliminated on 29 October 2007. She was known for her powerful vocals, which were described by the judges at audition and throughout the series as "sending shivers down the spine" when she sang. She was awarded one touchdown by Mark Holden. She was criticised by judges the last few weeks before eviction. She sang at the Sydney New Year's Eve concert, performed an original song at a Sydney Martial Arts contest in January 2008 and in March 2008 she went on tour with South African band Malaika and toured in Macao (China) in September 2008. The debut single "Head Over Heels" was released in March 2010 which got nominated at the Afro-Australian Music and Movie Awards for the Best single of the year and the best vocalist 2010 where she won both awards. In 2011 she starred on an American TV show Killer instinct as Muggy. In 2013 she starred on American's deadly women. She is currently signed to Disney and performing on the Lion King Australian tour. Audition: "I Have Nothing" by Whitney Houston Theatre Week (Round 1): Theatre Week (Round 3): Top 24: "River Deep - Mountain High" by Ike & Tina Turner Top 12 (Contestant's Choice): "If I Was Your Woman" by Alicia Keys Top 11 (Rock): "Hard to Handle" by The Black Crowes Top 10 (Disco): "Hot Stuff" by Donna Summer ~ Bottom 2 Top 9 (Acoustic): "Kissing You" by Des'ree Top 8 (Brit Pop): "Somebody to Love" by Queen ~ TOUCHDOWN! Top 7 (The Year You Were Born): "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)" by Aretha Franklin and George Michael Top 6 (Judge's Choice):: "Can't Get Enough of Your Love" by Taylor Dayne – (Marcia Hines) ~ Bottom 2 Top 6 (Contestant's Choice): "I Believe in You and Me" by Whitney Houston ~ Bottom 2 Top 5 (Australian Made): "When It All Falls Apart" by The Veronicas
Daniel Mifsud Daniel Mifsud is a 23-year-old from Sydney, New South Wales. He was advanced by the public to the final 12 through the Wildcard Show. He has been awarded one "touchdown" from Mark Holden. Before Idol, Daniel was a music teacher in a primary school. Daniel was eliminated on 22 October 2007.
Audition: Theatre Week (Round 1): Theatre Week (Round 3): Top 24: "Tip of My Tongue" by Diesel Wildcard Show: "Lay Your Love on Me" by Roachford Top 12 (Contestant's Choice): "Cry Me a River" by Justin Timberlake Top 11 (Rock): "Fire" by Jimi Hendrix Top 10 (Disco): "Miss You" by The Rolling Stones ~ Bottom 3 Top 9 (Acoustic): "I Was Made for Lovin' You" by Kiss ~ TOUCHDOWN!, Bottom 3 Top 8 (Brit Pop): "Message in a Bottle" by The Police ~ Bottom 3 Top 7 (The Year You Were Born): "Billie Jean" by Michael Jackson Top 6 (Judge's Choice): "Fragile" by Sting (musician) – (Mark Holden) Top 6 (Contestant's Choice): "From the Sea" by Eskimo Joe
Ben McKenzie Ben McKenzie (born 24 July 1990) is from Gosford, on the Central Coast of New South Wales. Ben was a favourite to win the competition until he was eliminated on 15 October 2007 which led to judge Marcia Hines threatening to quit the show in relation to his eviction and the treatment of him by the other 3 judges. Ben was falsely named by Today Tonight as being involved in "vote-rigging" and was the first of 4 in a row who were eliminated. He had never been in the bottom 3 until his elimination night. Ben performed at Sydney's New Year's Eve concert to end 2007. Ben has composed many original songs which he has been performing at small shows around Sydney & the Central Coast of NSW. He has also traveled to perform in Melbourne. Ben's film production company Dreams Unleashed Productions has completed filming and editing his first feature-length film, 'Submerged (Feature Film)(2011)'. The film is a unique combination of horror and supernatural thriller, drawing influences from The Ring and Silent Hill and was released on YouTube January 2012. The soundtrack includes music written by Ben.
Audition: Theatre Week (Round 1): Theatre Week (Round 3): Top 24: Mad World" by Tears for Fears Top 12 (Contestant's Choice): "Sunday Morning" by Maroon 5 Top 11 (Rock): "Bodies" by Little Birdy Top 10 (Disco): "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" by Michael Jackson