Australian Idol has long been called a “popularity contest” even before Channel 7 took over the ownership and revamped it in 2023.
And while some would think this idea can be perceived as negative, for co-host Scott Tweedie, it is actually a direct reflection of the industry.
Speaking on Mediaweek and Chattr’s The Entertainment Hotline Podcast, Scott said: “The music industry is a popularity contest. So, when we’re comparing what we are doing to the industry we’re trying to bring these amazing Australians into, we’re going, ‘This is how it works’.”
Further to this, Scott said that like any musician, the contestants need to have not only an “amazing vocal talent to bring people into whatever you’re singing, but you need to be likeable”.
“You need to have some sort of element of where if they [fans] see you at a bar or in a pub or in a shopping centre, they want to get to know you or want to hang out with you. That’s the popularity contest.
“But the way they do that is by being 100% authentically themselves, being vulnerable and opening up to the Aussies and then unfortunately, some people will connect with some more than others. But when you start to pretend to be something else to try and get more popular, you’re going to fail that’s what I think.”
Australian Idol v The Voice
One thing we do know is that the cast of this year’s series has a helluva story to tell. Something the production team wanted to ensure was highlighted early on in the season.
“I think we’ve achieved that with the style of auditions and how the format changed,” he said. “People already know names now and they’re like ‘Trent, the camel farmer’.
“They might not think he’s the best but they’re like, I want him to win because I like his story. So, I think the producers and the production as a whole, we’ve ticked a massive box of going, what was the DNA of Idol? Why is it different to The Voice and it’s all about the contestants. It’s about making them the stars.”
Australian Idol continues at 7.30pm on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays on Channel 7 and 7plus.
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