The first season of New Zealand Idol was produced by Fremantle Media subsidiary Grundy Television in association with UK company 19TV, and was broadcast on TVNZ in the early half of 2004. The judges were Paul Ellis, Fiona McDonald and Frankie Stevens.
Auditions The auditions were held at the following locations:
Trentham Racecourse, Trentham, Upper Hutt Riccarton Racecourse, Riccarton, Christchurch Ellerslie Racecourse, Ellerslie, Auckland
Those who were successful would proceed to the "Top 60" theatre rounds held at the Maidment Theatre in Auckland.
Theatre Week The successful contestants who made it through to the "Top 60" rounds would spend a gruelling three days at the theatre.
Day One: Contestants, in groups of six, were to sing in turn, a cappella, a song of their own choice. At the end of the day, twelve were sent home, leaving 48 remaining. Eliminated: Faith, Petia, Darryl, Kasanita, Ria, George, Dominic, Naomi, Charli, Hiwi, Ruth, Matthew
Day Two: Trio performances would test the contestants' teamwork skills, with the guys performing Elvis Presley's "Suspicious Minds", while the girls would perform the Burt Bacharach classic "I Say a Little Prayer." At the end of this, the group was once more reduced by a further 12. Eliminated: Jazmine, Conrad, Pairama, Wiremu, James, Krista, Rebekah, Daniel, Chantel, Jessica, Katherine, Clarke
Day Three: The remaining 36 contestants have one last opportunity to impress the judges. Once again they were to perform solo, (a cappella), in front of the judges and all other remaining contestants. Eliminated: TJ, Liam, Courtenay, Ian, Maisey, Rochelle, Akina, Toni, Rusila, Pania, Sacha, Paranihia
The decision of the final cut to the "Top 24" was delivered to three groups of twelve, with one group being sent home.
Top 24
Group 1
Nigel Withington – "Right Here Waiting" by Richard Marx Christine Hutt – "Think Twice" by Celine Dion Camillia Temple – "Exhale (Shoop Shoop)" by Whitney Houston Karly Ryder – "Not That Kind" by Anastacia
Faaose "Oz" Aneru – "Against All Odds" by Phil Collins Ben Lummis – "Back at One" by Brian McKnight Emily Kay – "Respect" by Aretha Franklin Filipo Saipani – "Still" by Brian McKnight
Advancing to the Top 10: Camillia Temple, Ben Lummis and Filipo Saipani Wildcard Contender: Nigel Withington
Group 2
Ngahekenga Growcott – "The Voice Within" by Christina Aguilera Gemma Russell – "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" by Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell Inangaro Tangianau – "Everything Is Everything" by Lauryn Hill Sam Cowley-Lupo – "Unchained Melody" by The Righteous Brothers
Jessie Cassin – "Angel" by Sarah McLachlan Luke Whaanga – "The Greatest Love of All" by Whitney Houston Dave Houma – "Yesterday Once More" by The Carpenters Michael Murphy – "Drive" by Incubus
Advancing to the Top 10: Luke Whaanga, Dave Houma and Michael Murphy Wildcard Contender: Jessie Cassin
Group 3
Alana Plews – "Come On Over" by Christina Aguilera Robin Johnson – "Ribbon in the Sky" by Stevie Wonder Amanda Boyce – "Because You Loved Me" by Celine Dion Lee Fidow – "Incomplete" by Sisqó
Lemuel Misa – "Every Time I Close My Eyes" by Babyface / Backstreet Boys Sela Mahe – "How Come You Don't Call Me?" by Alicia Keys Ariana Roberts – "You Don't Know My Name" by Alicia Keys Eddie Gaiger – "Drift Away" by Dobie Gray
Advancing to the Top 10: Robin Johnson, Sela Mahe and Eddie Gaiger Wildcard Contender: Amanda Boyce
Wildcards Nigel Withington – "Lady in Red" by Chris de Burgh Jessie Cassin – "Something Good" by Bic Runga Amanda Boyce – "Amazing Grace"
Advancing to the Top 10: Jessie Cassin
Weekly Song Themes Date Week Theme Guest Judge 14 MarchTop 10Contestant's ChoiceGuy Sebastian 21 MarchTop 9HomegrownAnnie Crummer 28 MarchTop 8Disconone 4 AprilTop 7BalladsNathan King 11 AprilTop 6British InvasionIan "Dicko" Dickson 18 AprilTop 5SoulPeter Urlich 25 AprilTop 4RockKaryn Hay 3 MayTop 3The '80'sLucy Lawless
The Top 10 Contestants
Ben Lummis
Ben Lummis (born 1 June 1978 in Wellington) was the winner of the first series of New Zealand Idol.
Audition: "Back at One" by Brian McKnight Theatre Week (Round 1): "I Believe I Can Fly" by R. Kelly Theatre Week (Round 3): "The Day" by Babyface Top 24: "Back at One" by Brian McKnight Top 10: "Never Too Much" by Luther Vandross Top 9: "Oughta Be in Love" by Dave Dobbyn Top 8: "Hang On in There Baby" by Johnny Bristol Top 7: "I Can Love You Like That" by All-4-One Top 6: "Kiss from a Rose" by Seal Top 5: "Treat Her Like a Lady" by The Temptations Top 4: "American Woman" by Lenny Kravitz, "Livin' on a Prayer" by Bon Jovi Top 3: "The Power of Love" by Huey Lewis and the News, "Rhythm of the Night" by DeBarge Top 2: "Kiss from a Rose" by Seal, "Livin' on a Prayer" by Bon Jovi, "I Believe I Can Fly" by R. Kelly, "They Can't Take That Away" (Winner's single)
Michael Murphy
Michael Murphy (born 4 September 1986 in Taupō), was runner-up to winner Ben Lummis.
Audition: "Don't Dream It's Over" by Crowded House Theatre Week (Round 1): "Drive" by Incubus Theatre Week (Round 3): "Better Be Home Soon" by Crowded House Top 24: "Drive" by Incubus Top 10: "Here Without You" by 3 Doors Down Top 9: "Better Be Home Soon" by Crowded House Top 8: "Play That Funky Music" by Wild Cherry Top 7: "Tears in Heaven" by Eric Clapton Top 6: "Let Me Entertain You" by Robbie Williams Top 5: "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" by Otis Redding Top 4: "Rock and Roll" by Led Zeppelin, "Wherever You Will Go" by The Calling Top 3: "Should I Stay or Should I Go" by The Clash, "Angel of Harlem" by U2 Top 2: "Let Me Entertain You" by Robbie Williams, "Tears in Heaven" by Eric Clapton, "One" by U2, "They Can't Take That Away" (Winner's single)
Camillia Temple Camillia Temple (aged 28, from Hamilton), was the last contestant sent home.
Audition: "My Love Is Your Love" by Whitney Houston Theatre Week (Round 1): "How Come You Don't Call Me?" by Alicia Keys Theatre Week (Round 3): "Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen Top 24: "Exhale (Shoop Shoop)" by Whitney Houston Top 10: "Natural Woman" by Aretha Franklin Top 9: "Escaping" by Margaret Urlich Top 8: "Lady Marmalade" by Labelle Top 7: "Purple Rain" by Prince Top 6: "Superstar" by Jamelia Top 5: "Piece of My Heart" by Janis Joplin Top 4: "Alone" by Heart, "Black Velvet" by Alannah Myles Top 3: "I Want to Know What Love Is" by Foreigner, "How Will I Know" by Whitney Houston
Luke Whaanga Luke Whaanga, (aged 20, from Lower Hutt), was the seventh contestant sent home.
Audition: "I Love Every Little Thing About You" by Stevie Wonder Theatre Week (Round 1): "A Whole New World" by Peabo Bryson and Regina Belle Theatre Week (Round 3): "If I Had No Loot" by Tony! Toni! Toné! Top 24: "The Greatest Love of All" by Whitney Houston Top 10: "Slippin' Away" by Max Merritt Top 9: "Sitting Inside My Head" by Supergroove Top 8: "You to Me Are Everything" by The Real Thing Top 7: "When A Man Loves A Woman" by Percy Sledge Top 6: "Come Together" by The Beatles Top 5: "Shining Star" by The Manhattans Top 4: "Behind Blue Eyes" by Limp Bizkit, "You Shook Me All Night Long" by AC/DC
Dave Houma David "Dave" Houma (aged 28, from Auckland), was the sixth contestant sent home.
Audition: "Yesterday Once More" by The Carpenters Theatre Week (Round 1): "Hard to Say I'm Sorry" by Chicago Theatre Week (Round 3): "Love X Love" by George Benson Top 24: "Yesterday Once More" by The Carpenters Top 10: "Hard to Find Her" by Zed Top 9: "Better" by Brooke Fraser Top 8: "Give Me the Night" by George Benson Top 7: "Truly" by Lionel Richie Top 6: "Empty Garden (Hey Hey Johnny)" by Elton John Top 5: "Reach Out (I'll Be There)" by The Four Tops
Eddie Gaiger Edward "Eddie" Gaiger (aged 25, from the Coromandel), was the fifth contestant sent home.
Audition: "Don't Dream It's Over" by Crowded House Theatre Week (Round 1): "Oughta Be in Love" by Dave Dobbyn Theatre Week (Round 3): "Burn for You" by John Farnham Top 24: "Drift Away" by Dobie Gray Top 10: "One Last Breath" by Creed Top 9: "Misty Frequencies" by Che Fu Top 8: "Superstition" by Stevie Wonder Top 7: "Against All Odds" by Phil Collins Top 6: "Somebody To Love" by Queen
Robin Johnson Robin Johnson (aged 18, from Upper Hutt), was the fourth contestant sent home.
Audition: "Man of the Hour" by John Farnham Theatre Week (Round 1): "Ain't Too Proud to Beg" by The Temptations Theatre Week (Round 3): "Kiss" by Prince Top 24: "Ribbon in the Sky" by Stevie Wonder Top 10: "Cry Me A River" by Justin Timberlake Top 9: "Don't Dream It's Over" by Crowded House Top 8: "Blame It on the Boogie" by The Jackson 5 Top 7: "I'll Be There" by Mariah Carey
Jessie Cassin Jessica "Jessie" Cassin (aged 18, from Browns Bay, Auckland), was the third contestant sent home. Prior to Idol, Jessie was completing a Bachelor of Music, majoring in Performance Music – Classical.
Audition: "Drive" by Bic Runga Theatre Week (Round 1): "Songbird" by Eva Cassidy Theatre Week (Round 3): "The Greatest Love of All" by Whitney Houston Top 24: "Angel" by Sarah McLachlan Wildcards: "Something Good" by Bic Runga Top 10: "Something Good" by Bic Runga Top 9: "I Hope I Never" by Split Enz Top 8: "Dancing Queen" by Abba
Sela Mahe Sela Mahe (aged 17, from Māngere, Auckland), was the second contestant sent home. She is of Tongan descent.
Audition: "It's Only a Paper Moon" by Natalie Cole Theatre Week (Round 1): Theatre Week (Round 3): "It's Only a Paper Moon" by Natalie Cole Top 24: "How Come You Don't Call Me?" by Alicia Keys Top 10: "Gettin' In The Way" by Jill Scott Top 9: "Time Makes A Wine" by Ardijah
Filipo Saipani Filipo Saipani (aged 18, from Wellington), was the first contestant sent home.
Audition: "God Defend New Zealand" Theatre Week (Round 1): "Whenever You Call" by Brian McKnight Theatre Week (Round 3): "I'll Be There" by The Jackson 5 Top 24: "Still" by Brian McKnight Top 10: "Whenever You Call" by Brian McKnight
The Grand Final The final was held on 10 May, with the following performances:
The Top 10: "Kids" by Robbie Williams and Kylie Minogue Luke Whaanga: "Sitting Inside My Head" by Supergroove Ben Lummis: "They Can't Take That Away" (winner's single) Eddie Gaiger: "Somebody To Love" by Queen Camillia Temple: "Purple Rain" by Prince Michael Murphy: "They Can't Take That Away" (winner's single) Jessie Cassin: "Drive" by Bic Runga Fiona McDonald & Frankie Stevens: "Somethin' Stupid" by Frank Sinatra and Nancy Sinatra Robin Johnson: "Cry Me A River" by Justin Timberlake Filipo Saipani: "Whenever You Call" by Brian McKnight Sela Mahe: "How Come You Don't Call Me?" by Alicia Keys Michael Murphy: "Wherever You Will Go" by The Calling Ben Lummis: "American Woman" by Lenny Kravitz Dave Houma: "Empty Garden (Hey Hey Johnny)" by Elton John Ben Lummis: "They Can't Take That Away"
Elimination chart + Legend Did Not Perform Top 24 Wild Card Top 10
Stage: Semi-Finals WC Finals Week: 23/2 1/3 8/3 13/3 15/3 22/3 29/3 5/4 12/4 19/4 26/4 3/5 10/5 Place Contestant Result 1 Winner 2 Runner-up 3 Elim 4 Elim 5 Elim 6 Elim 7 Elim 8 Elim Elim 9 Elim 10 Elim WildCard Elim Elim Elim Elim Elim Elim
Commercial Releases
References
External links Official New Zealand Idol website