NZ IDOL - SERIES 3 - THE PRESS KIT

NZ IDOL 3 premieres Sunday July 16 at 7.30pm

CONTENTS
NZ Idol 3
Who will be the next NZ IDOL? ..3
Series Structure ..5

Host
Dominic Bowden ..7

Judges
Frankie Stevens . .8
Megan Alatini ..9
Iain Stables 10

Music team
Eddie Rayner 11
Suzanne Lynch 12

General information
NZ Idol logo conditions of use 13
Publicity Guidelines 14

NZ IDOL 3

The search is on to find the nation’s newest singing superstar, as the latest series of NZ IDOL kicks off on TV2.

This year’s winner will receive a recording contract as well as a $50,000 cash prize and a brand new Daihatsu Terios.

But the prize pool isn’t the only thing that’s undergone a revamp this year. There are also two new faces on the judging panel with Megan Alatini and Iain Stables joining NZ IDOL veteran Frankie Stevens.

And in another new development, this year’s series will feature regional heats which will be broadcast live over three consecutive weeks from theatres in Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland. In addition, the Top 10 shows will feature a live band which promises to heighten the atmosphere as contenders battle it out on the NZ IDOL stage.

The past two series of NZ IDOL have captured the attention of the nation with an average ratings share of around 40%. Previous Idol winners Ben Lummis and Rosita Vai reached multi-platinum and platinum status when they hit number one on the New Zealand pop charts with their respective debut singles ‘They Can’t Take That Away’ and ‘All I Ask’.

As in the past, this year’s series will deliver the best and worst of the auditions as the judges give their verdict on the performances.

Once the judges have selected their top contestants from the auditions, the viewing public will have the opportunity to judge the performances for themselves through a text and telephone voting system.

It’s up to each contestant to prove they have the singing talent and charisma to make it in one of the world’s most competitive industries - or be voted off the series.

NZ IDOL is produced by South Pacific Pictures and will screen on TV2 from Sunday July 16, 2006. The series will subsequently screen every Sunday at 7.30pm with elimination shows starting in early August on Monday evenings.

Updated information on the series can be obtained from the official NZ IDOL website, at www.tvnz.co.nz keyword NZ IDOL. The site will contain show updates and re-caps, exclusive footage and images plus information on the judges and contestants.

SERIES STRUCTURE

Auditions

May 27-28: NZ IDOL auditions held in Christchurch
June 3-4: NZ IDOL auditions held in Auckland
June 10-11: NZ IDOL auditions held in Wellington

Theatre Performance

The successful entrants from around New Zealand, selected by the judges from the auditions, come to Auckland.

They perform on stage at the SkyCity theatre, in front of the judges. The judges select 18 people to continue.

Regional Rounds

The 18 entrants are divided into three groups of six people.

Each group of six spends a week in Auckland living in the Idol house during which time the contestants prepare their chosen songs for their first studio performance and the first public vote.

The wannabe Idols receive vocal coaching with Suzanne Lynch and practise their songs with the Idol music team (featuring top musicians Eddie Raynor and Adrian Stuckey).

At the end of that week contestants will perform in a LIVE regional show. After each performance show, the NZ IDOL television audience can vote for their favourite performers. The following night, three entrants will be eliminated, leaving three from each group who will continue on to the Final Top 10.

Sunday August 6: Group 1 (group of six) performs LIVE in Christchurch
Monday August 7: LIVE Elimination show. Audience votes three of the six contestants into the NZ IDOL Top 10.

Sunday August 13: Group 2 (group of six) performs LIVE in Auckland
Monday August 14: LIVE Elimination show. Audience votes three of the six contestants into the NZ IDOL Top 10.

Sunday August 20: Group 3 (group of six) performs LIVE in Wellington
Monday August 21: LIVE Elimination show. Audience votes three of the six contestants into the NZ IDOL Top 10.

Wildcard Entry

On Monday August 19, following the last of the regional elimination shows, an additional WILDCARD half-hour will recap the performances of the nine contestants eliminated during the regional round.

At the end of the episode, the audience will have 12 hours to vote in the person who will become the Top 10 Wildcard Entry.

The NZ IDOL Wildcard will be revealed live on air in the first Top 10 show the following week.

The Countdown

From Top 10 to Top 2: the contestants perform in front of a live studio audience each week.

After each performance, NZ IDOL viewers vote for their favourite contestants and the decision will be revealed LIVE on air every Monday night during the Top 10 countdown.

NB: After the Top 2 performance show, the audience will have a whole week in which to vote for their favourite NZ IDOL.

The Look Back

In the final Monday night show, NZ IDOL will take a look back at the journey so far.

The Grand Final

The final decision will be revealed in a LIVE television spectacular at the end of which, one of the Top 2 contestants will be crowned NZ IDOL.

HOST
Dominic Bowden

After the phenomenal success of the first and second series of NZ IDOL, Dominic Bowden has secured his position as one of New Zealand’s most popular and talented television presenters.

Dominic has a wealth of experience in music television. He has hosted TV2 Songstar and co-hosted the cult late-night music show Space. He also fronted the 2001 New Zealand Music Awards. Dominic has also worked alongside British superstar Robbie Williams, fronting the special, Robbie Williams: Be Here Now.

Other television credits include Shock Treatment, Celebrity Treasure Island, Squirt, the Girlfriend Model Search Competition and Finding J. Smith with Vodafone Live!

Dominic has also worked extensively in radio. In 2005 he hosted a nightly show on More FM and also hosted the Idol Live show with former NZ IDOL judge Paul Ellis. He also spent time working for radio stations overseas. In addition, Dominic has hosted events including the TV2’s, Planet 2 Kids Expo and the L’Oreal Colour Trophy.

Dominic’s role will also include interviews with the NZ IDOL contestants before and after they face the judging panel, presenting behind-the-scenes glimpses of the competition as the heats progress, and being a confidante to the contenders.

JUDGE
Frankie Stevens

BIOGRAPHY

Frankie Stevens is, without exception, one of New Zealand’s best-loved entertainers with an international singing, acting and performing career spanning 30 years.

Among his credits, Stevens had a number one hit with My Elusive Dreams, and over the years has recorded with CBS/Sony, EMI and Columbia.

Stevens has performed around the world, at such venues as London’s Palladium and Royal Albert Hall, and Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Hotel. He has worked with artists including Shirley Bassey, Lulu, Sammy Davis Jr and Sir Howard Morrison, and has appeared on variety programmes in New Zealand, Australia, Britain and the United States, including Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park and Top of the Pops.

Multi-talented Stevens has also acted in a number of international feature films, including The Matrix Reloaded and the James Bond classic Diamonds Are Forever, and the television series Hercules and Xena.

Since 1982, Stevens has been based in his hometown of Wellington, but has toured New Zealand and Australia in Jesus Christ Superstar, toured nationally with Sir Howard Morrison, and continues to travel where his performing takes him.

JUDGE
Megan Alatini

BIOGRAPHY

Megan Alatini has worked in the entertainment industry for over 15 years.

She is best known as a former member of the first ever ‘Popstars’ group, True Bliss. The group's debut album achieved platinum status and they had huge chart success with their debut and subsequent singles.

Megan has acted on screen in shows such as The Tribe, Young Hercules and Atlantis High. She also sang on The Tribe album.

Megan continues to work as a professional singer, music teacher and vocal coach.

In 2004 Megan moved to Tokyo, Japan in support of her rugby-star husband and former All Black, Pita Alatini. She has three children: daughters Tonica and Tiara and a baby son, Trey.

JUDGE
Iain Stables

BIOGRAPHY

Iain Stables began his broadcasting career as a 16- year-old and has risen through the ranks to become one of New Zealand’s best-known radio talents.

The former Wellington Boys College student and Wellingtonian has anchored the ‘Stables’ show on two national networks, firstly pioneering the entertainment music style in the mid-90s on The Edge network before taking his unique style to ZM in 2002.

Famous for his high profile pranks, cheekiness and ability to say what we’re all thinking in his own unique, and at times, irreverent style.

He has interviewed some of the biggest names in the industry including: Robbie Williams, Metallica, Oprah Winfrey, Chris Rock, U2, and Eminem.

Stables has been involved in numerous television appearances including cameo roles as himself in shows such as Space and Eating Media Lunch.

MUSICAL DIRECTOR
Eddie Rayner

Eddie Rayner is one of New Zealand’s most acclaimed musical artists. An award winning musician, producer, and composer, he is a former member of the hugely successful local bands Space Waltz and Split Enz.

Rayner has since forged a successful solo career, collaborating with Sir Paul McCartney, Crowded House and many of New Zealand’s top artists along the way.

He arranged and produced the two phenomenally popular ENZSO albums, working with Neil and Tim Finn, Dave Dobbyn, Annie Crummer, Sam Hunt, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa and the NZSO.

Rayner continues his work as an artist and composer and has most recently been producing records for the local and international markets, including Margaret Urlich and The Exponents.

He has also adjudicated on the APRA Silver Scroll and RIANZ judging panels and has contributed to the television series Showcase and Get Your Act Together.

In his role as Musical Director on the series, Rayner uses his considerable experience to organise the musical arrangements for every song performed on NZ IDOL.

VOCAL COACH
Suzanne Lynch

Suzanne Lynch is one of New Zealand’s most enduring musical stars. She first rose to fame as one half of the popular ‘60s duo The Chicks, and has crafted herself a wide-ranging and successful career both as a live performer and session vocalist.

After her success with The Chicks, Lynch was a regular performer on the New Zealand television shows C’Mon and Happen Inn. In 1970, she was voted the New Zealand Entertainer of the Year.

The same year, she set off to London where she worked as a vocalist supporting artists such as Neil Sedaka, Lulu, Leo Sayer, Cleo Lane and Cat Stevens, who she worked with for five years. More recently, she has worked with Kiri Te Kanawa.

Since returning to New Zealand, Lynch has continued her successful professional musical career. In 2002, she was honoured with a Queen’s Birthday M.N.Z.M Award for services to New Zealand entertainment.

In her role as Vocal Coach for NZ IDOL, Lynch works with the contestants to polish, refine and style their voices and help them to overcome any vocal challenges they may face during the intense rehearsal and performance process.

NZ IDOL LOGO
Conditions of Use

- The NZ Idol logo specifications must not be changed in any way. Specifications include the logo colours, font, tilt and shape. Size may be adjusted to suit position but the proportions of the logo must remain the same.
- The NZ Idol logo must be used in entirety and must not be obscured by any other images or text.
- The logo cannot be used by media outlets to promote any good or service other than the NZ Idol programme.
- No media outlet or website may claim to have an official association with NZ Idol through their use of the logo without written permission from South Pacific Pictures and FreemantleMedia Limited.
- No media outlet or website can claim to have a commercial or promotional tie-in with NZ Idol without the necessary promotional licence. This can be obtained through approach to South Pacific Pictures.

PUBLICITY GUIDELINES

NZ Idol is a publicly-voted competition. Because of this, we ask the media to respect these guidelines to maintain fairness and balance in the competition. This is so no one contestant is favoured with media exposure to the detriment of others.

1. Media are requested not to approach any contestants, judges or the host directly. All media interviews, appearances and photoshoots with NZ IDOL judges, host and contestants should be arranged through the NZ IDOL Publicity department.

2. Contestants will not be granting media interviews unless sanctioned by NZ IDOL Publicity. Please note that contestants may be disqualified if they give interviews or appearances that have not been approved.

2. No media is allowed on the set of the show, backstage or in the studio premises without prior consent of the NZ IDOL office.

3. There is no exclusivity for any media around NZ IDOL.

ENDS

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