Guy was in the audience of AI3 a few weeks ago (they pointed him out briefly) and so I vaguely hoped he might perform (many weeks, they've had past Idol contestants from American Idol perform, and the odd guest), but he didn't then so I'd given up on that, especially as no other international Idols performed. And now he gets to sing near the end of the series, when the audience is near its maximum, and what a great opportunity it is for him!

(Guy also, earlier on, appeared in New Zealand Idol as a guest judge. And he appeared in the Australian Idol 'how to enter this year's competition' show. I currently have no memory of what he said, except that he probably advocated 'being yourself', and joked that he didn't need to win at all, 'cos look at Shannon's success.)

January 1, 2004

Happy new year, y'all. ^_^. I must correct my previous news entry - in fact, that day's paper had the TV guide describing World Idol, meaning, unless I've missed a day, not a day has gone by since mid-November where Guy's name hasn't been in the paper. ^_^.

Guy was on World Idol on Boxing Day. The judges all liked him, even Simon Cowell, who has the hardest face I've ever seen, and so they should, as he did very well. He was also on the Christmas Eve carols where he sang 'O little town of Bethlehem' and 'Have yourself a merry little Christmas'. He spent 5 days in Melbourne over Christmas with his family, his longest break since Idol began. After that he had to fly back to London (bleagh, how cruel) for the World Idol verdict show, which will be on tomorrow, both live in the morning and then in the evening.

It's not very kind to have the 'live' (for us in SA, the 'delayed by half an hour') verdict at 6:30 the day after New Year's. How hard is it to get up at 1pm one day, and 6:30am the next? ^^. But I *am* pleased - and surprised, actually - they're making the effort to give us the verdict when the rest of the world gets it, so we're not behind.

Remember, if you want proper news, updated regularly, try the official Guy site or one of the fanpages I've linked to (most of them have news) rather than this page. I can't keep up with everything because, as I've said, there is stuff on Guy every day in the paper. Everything from his brother Chris to perform somewhere-or-other (^^.), to his befriending the South African Idol Heinz, to the exact status of his album/single...

Oh yeah, and I'm sure you've all noticed by now that Guy is to be seen on many a bus stop, advertising Pepsi? And also on channel 10, he's in an ad with some other stars on the beach, with his 'All I need is you' playing in the background - very nice. ^_^.

December 24, 2003

Here's a first: today's Advertiser newspaper was, I *think* the first issue not to feature a single mention of Guy since mid-November. ^_^.

December 23, 2003

Hmm, I've gotten quite behind in updates. No matter; there are now loads of Guy Sebastian fansites around, many of which update their news with lightning speed. ^_^. There are also now a few other sites called 'Go the 'Fro' and I considered changing this site's name, but I can't be stuffed, hurray. ^_^.

Anyway, what's been happening Guy-wise lately? Guy's been in London over this last week for the filming of World Idol. He should be on his way back very soon if not already doing so; after all, he's going to perform at the Melbourne carols on Christmas Eve. (Incidentally, they got Paulini to sing for Carols on the Domain the other night. She was fantastic, and really eclipsed even the professional singers.)

I see there is an 'Australian Idol: Greatest Moments' DVD out now, which features highlights of the series is sure to feature some Guy stuff, since he was surely a highlight.

So Guy went to London and was happy to have the chance to meet some fellow Idols and have fun seeing London. But World Idol turned out to be a bit disappointing, with all the judges being unnecessarily vicious and insulting. However, Guy apparently got away with very little criticism, apart from some people not liking the arrangement of 'What a wonderful world'. But he performed really well and impressed some people, by all accounts. He and Kelly Clarkson are the favourites to win. I hope Guy does, because apparently the winner gets releases in all the participating country, which Kelly almost does already.

But I've been watching some videos of Kelly my friend sent me and she *is* really good. I didn't get such a feel for it during her 'Miss Independent' but seeing her go through the competition, I'd say she could also deserve to win, voice-wise... but I still hope Guy does. ^^. He's got an extra charisma about him, anyway.

If you hadn't heard about it by now, the publicity tours for "Just as I am" were cancelled after trouble in Adelaide. It was a 40 degree day and the chosen venue, Rundle Mall, was hardly ideal for the 7000+ crowd. Someone told Guy, just before he went on stage, about a boy who had collapsed from the heat, with heart troubles. Guy was upset and only spoke/performed for a couple of minutes. He just announced there had been a tragedy and then sang some of 'His eye is on the sparrow'. It was a sad, touching song considering we didn't know what had happened, but there were fangirls somewhere *trying* to scream and cheer during it. I don't think it quite suited the moment...

Anyway, Guy did sign autographs for a couple of hours but the queue for the autographs was so long not everyone could go in it (and besides, the end of the queue was out of sight of the stage anyway). So it was a bit disappointing for all the fans who had waited so long, but I don't think it was anyone's fault. I mean, sure Rundle Mall wasn't the brightest choice for massive crowds, even in nice weather, but they were giving out free drinks, squirting people with hoses, continually advising people who felt faint to move out, had a first aid station set up right outside the stage, that sort of thing. I guess these things happen. *Fortunately*, I hear the young man who collapsed is stable.

Obviously the publicity tour wasn't exactly necessary to get people to buy the album, since it broke sales records and even beat Delta's album for the top place.

December 7, 2003

I've heard Guy will be singing last for World Idol, which is a very good thing if it turns out to be true. ^_^. I have heard he will be doing 'What a Wonderful World' (other sources say 'Climb Every Mountain' but I don't think that's true). His 'Wonderful World' is excellent but I don't think it's as sure to impress as 'Climb Every Mountain' or 'When I get you alone'. But I'm sure they know what they're doing, so fingers crossed. Maybe Guy can become an international star after this. ^_^.

SAFM (107.1 - SA radio station) is giving away Guy albums today. They periodically play songs from his album. I've heard 'So I', which was alright I guess, and 'When Doves Cry' which was pretty cool. I've got it the radio on now listening for more. ^_^. Oh, 'All that I need is you' has just come on. This is pretty cool too; nice and upbeat. Okay, I'm happy now.

The official Guy Sebastian site (here) is now working. You have to put up with waiting for Flash stuff to load but other than that it's pretty cool and will be a good source for Guy news etc - much more reliable than me. ^_^. A few very nice pics too.

Remember that Guy's going on tour to promote his album. The locations are:
-Tuesday (9th) - SA - Rundle Mall, 4pm, under canopy (SAFM will be there... apparently he will be a) performing and b) signing autographs)
-Wednesday (10th) - VIC - Highpoint Shopping Centre, 5pm, centre stage
-Thursday (11th) - QLD - Robina Town Centre (Gold Coast), 4pm

On the 12th he's off for London. I just stole this info off the main site but it's being advertised everywhere anyway so I'll give it a plug too. I just hope when I go I'll be able to get close enough to actually see him, let alone get an autograph. ^^.

He's in Sydney today but it's already after 12 so it won't do much good my posting it. ^_^.

Two final bits of news:
-there's gonna be another Idol show in Adelaide, since the first one sold out so fast... okay, the second one has probably sold out already by the time I've posted this, but you may be lucky ^_^.
-there's a slight possibility Guy will be singing at the Adelaide Sky Show next year - pending on approval from the Powers that Be

December 2, 2003

Some hotchpotch news. Guy got some unexpected time off and took the chance to spend last weekend in Adelaide hanging out with his family, singing in church, seeing a movie (School of Rock - good movie by the way ^_^.), playing tennis, etc. It's funny how the most commonplace things become news when it's about a famous person, but this is interesting because we know how fierce and sleepless Guy's schedule has been so it's nice to think of him getting a bit of r&r time. We don't want our first Idol to collapse of fatigue after the first week.

The list of song titles on Guy's album is available now but I can't be stuffed looking them up; this page is one that has the info at the moment. ^_^. There are twelve songs for your $27 (I think that's how much it costs? geez I'm great at my research) and a Wonderful World shall be there, a couple of other covers and some original songs.

The World Idol format will have the Idols singing on one night only, ala Eurovision - and then the votes are tallied and results announced on another day. Guy has nominated three songs he'd be happy to do, and one of them will be chosen for him to perform to the world. The three songs are 'Climb every mountain', 'When I get you alone' and 'What a wonderful world'. Very good choices; I hope it's 'When I get you alone'. ^_^.

Earlier I expressed concern about how the Idol winner would have to sell a phenomenal number of CDs before they could even start earning any money. Well... I'm certainly not worried about that any more!

I also heard a) that Guy might be interested in doing something for World Vision and b) that he's doing ads for Pepsi. I heard these from friends rather than news sources so I can't say them for sure.

December 1, 2003

Guy's single came out for sale a week ago, theoretically. It hasn't actually appeared in Adelaide stores because the demand for it has been so huge it's broken records as the fastest selling single in Australian music history. You can only get it by ordering it. I found that even after ordering it, I couldn't get a copy when the new stock came in, but have to wait for the next round... I still haven't actually physically seen a copy of it but mine should be coming in today. -_-.

Needless to say it would be a good idea to order your copy of the album ASAP. ^_^. The album is to be called 'Just as I am' and will be out on December 8. On December 9, Guy will be in Rundle Mall to sign albums - I'm sure it will be a rabid free-for-all but I think I'm gonna have to brave it. ^_^.

Apparently three of the songs have been written by Guy, and he has put his foot down about some of the songs they were going to give him... there's going to be a cover of When Doves Cry, which should be fantastic. We got a sneak preview of one of the new songs, 'My beautiful friend', on the 'Winner's Story' special of Australian Idol.

Oh, and it so happens that Shannon has been signed up to do CDs as well, by BMG. Yay! ^_^. I read that he and Guy actually live next door to each other in Sydney now. Guy has expressed his intention to base himself in Adelaide but obviously he'll have to work in Sydney a fair bit.

November 22, 2003

Guy's first single, Angels brought me here, debuted today on Video Hits. The video clip featured him being filmed on a set - an ordinary, slightly tired-looking guy with ruffled hair (^_^.) and then later resplendent in white suit, the ultimate performer. ^_^.

I've already heard the single on the radio twice; I think it's gonna get played a *lot* the next few days; do as I do and channel-surf until you find it. ^_-. Okay, I admit it - I've capitulated. I'm actually quite liking the single now. (I think I'd fall in love with 'Three Blind Mice' if Guy sang it. ^_^.)

An official Guy Sebastian site has emerged here! (Is that picture of him on the main page *fantastic* or what? ^_^.)

Guy is currently recording his first album which is set to come out on December 8. The single will be out this Monday, November 24. I'm gonna go buy it straight after my exam. ^_^.

Reminder that tomorrow night (Sunday) is the Winner's Special where we'll get to see all of his initial audition, and loads more on Guy and his journey through Idol. ^_^.

November 19, 2003

Tonight, Wednesday night, was the night of the Australian Idol grand final at the Sydney Opera House. There were many, many screaming fans and an intense, excited atmosphere. There were many preliminaries, including highlights from Guy's Idol journey (they played portions of Wonderful World, Look into my eyes, When doves cry, You're the voice and Climb every mountain) and a very fun performance of 'When I get you alone', but then the final announcement came at last...

And Guy Sebastian is officially the first Australian Idol!

It couldn't have happened to a more deserving Guy. ^_^.

(Both guys were so obviously running on adrenaline, the poor blokes; they seemed absolutely stuffed and need a good night's rest!!)

Apparently the results were pretty close and the lead even changed several times during the week; last Thursday they mentioned there was only a 4% difference. We don't know what the final difference was though; not that it matters at all.

I believe there will be a special on him this Sunday night at the usual Australian Idol time... should be good. ^_^. Guy's got to get up at 6am tomorrow to start doing publicity things (this is such a mean business -_-.), his single 'Angels brought me here' will be out on Monday (so they said) and he'll soon be beginning work recording his first album, and then he'll be off to compete in the first 'World Idol' contest. It's gonna be a whirlwind next few months again! I just hope they allow him a few hours sleep at *some* stage!

His first album, if his previous comments are still valid, will contain some songs he chose that had been prewritten, which he's presumably been rearranging, plus some of his own original work. It will be out by the end of the year or before Christmas.

And good luck to Shannon too; I hope to see him succeed too. Although I really wanted Guy to win, it's absolutely impossible to dislike Shannon. ^_^. He's capable of good things too so let's hope we haven't heard the last of him (or Paulini or Cosima for that matter ^_^.).

November 15, 2003

Some of the recent developments about Guy that everyone knows are as follows. Guy and Shannon have just finished up a tour/series of appearances around Australia, visiting five different states. Sunday night, the 16th, will show highlights from these tours. The voting lines are still open and many people are spending money like water on calls. The grand final of Australian Idol, where everyone finds out the results, is on Wednesday night, November the 19th.

Guy recently recorded the single that will be his if he becomes the Australian Idol - Angels Brought Me Here. (It's not a terribly good single but I suppose it's a necessary evil to get out the way before he brings out the excellent stuff.) If he wins, he will also be putting together an album, to be put out by the end of the year, if I recall correctly. He said that they're allowed to choose from a number of prewritten songs, and can also work the songs to suit them, and include some of their own. Finally, if he wins, he will be competing on the international stage against a bunch of other countries' Idols in 'World Idol', to begin in late December or early January. All very good reasons to vote Guy. ^_^.

Sounds like the winner of Australian Idol will be in for an incredibly full-on couple of months - doing the publicity after winning, putting out their first single, producing and putting out their first album, and going into World Idol for round two!

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