By Daniel Ziffer, Entertainment Reporter
November 22, 2005

BENDIGO'S golden girl, Kate DeAraugo, is Australia's newest singing star, performing her new single, Maybe Tonight, in front of a national audience as the winner of Australian Idol.

The thousands gathered in a Bendigo hall erupted as the blonde 19-year-old was revealed as the nation's choice.

DeAraugo overcame strong competition from Emily Williams, of Brisbane, to win the third series of the televised quest.

The Bendigo Exhibition Centre was filled with supporters of DeAraugo, who lived there until two years ago when she followed her singing teacher to the Gold Coast.

An uncle, Chris DeAraugo, 48, is a former bandmate, and was her guardian when she played pubs as an under-age singer. He said the move had been necessary to further her career. "I saw her stop rooms when she was 16," he said.

Alison Gook, 28, had been in local theatrical productions with DeAraugo, and her phone bill from text messages to vote for her has skyrocketed.

"When she got into the grand final, I thought, this will be way too much," she said.

The shine of the Bendigo gold was on T-shirts, banners and hair as the excited crowd pumped themselves into a fury when DeAraugo appeared on screen.

A banner "Kate for PM" was shaken above the heads in the crowd.

The Network Ten show is a singing competition with contestants voted off, based on the number of votes they receive from the public.

The winner's single is a guaranteed No.1 hit, with an album, to be recorded in the next week, a certain Christmas top seller.

Although Williams was runner-up last night, she can take some consolation from history.

The Idol runners-up from the first two series have eclipsed the success of those to whom they "lost".

Last month, Anthony Callea's song, The Prayer, was named the highest-selling Australian single ever at the ARIA awards.

Wanna meet your Idol Kate DeAraugo?


Reported by - Saturday, December 3 2005

Kate DeAraugo will embark on a promotional tour that will also include atleast two instore appearances - being one of the first appearances made by the Idol winner since claiming her victory in November.

DeAraugo will treat fans to a performance of her debut single 'Maybe Tonight' which is currently sitting at number one on the Sanity, HMV and JB-Hi Fi charts - three of ARIA's highest charting chains.

Kate will be hitting Myer stores in Sydney and the Gold Coast, to promote the new album which is instores December 11.

Kate DeAraugo instore appearances are:
Sunday, December 11 - Sydney, Myer City Store Miss Shop
12 - 2pm

Thursday, December 15 - Gold Coast, Pacific Fair

http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/st...5E28957,00.html


And on the sixth day, she recorded

Herald Sun
05dec05

AUSTRALIAN Idol winner Kate DeAraugo will today release her first album, A Place I've Never Been, which was recorded in six hectic days.

The album's first single, Maybe Tonight, is expected to go close to No. 1 when it debuts, also today.
DeAraugo started recording the day after she won Idol a couple of weeks back.

"I have had so much fun making this album. It's definitely the best part of the journey for me so far," she said.

"I chose the title from the lyrics of The Most Beautiful Place as its one of my favourite songs on the album and A Place I've Never Been perfectly describes where I'm at right now."

It will be interesting to see how the album goes on the charts.

Sales of Idol contestants' albums are generally lower this year and Casey Donovan's album didn't reach the heights of Guy Sebastian's record made after Idol 2003.

In the US, American Idol 4 winner Carrie Underwood released her album last week, despite winning the show months ago.

Producers had time to craft the right album for Underwood -- a better way of going about it than recording one in just six days.

Idol star hits number one while Madonna plummets
December 5, 2005 - 12:21PM


There's no maybes about it . . . Kate DeAraugo has debuted at number one with Maybe Tonight.


Advertisement
AdvertisementFresh from winning this year's Australian Idol competition, the debut song from Kate DeAraugo hits the number one spot on this week's Australian singles chart.

Proving Australians are still into their Idols, DeAraugo's Maybe Tonight pushes My Humps from the Black Eyed Peas to number two.

In a chart littered with new additions, Stickwitu from The Pussycat Dolls enters in third spot and former US Idol Kelly Clarkson's ballad Because of You debuts at four.

The controversial Crazy Frog is also back with a rendition of Jingle Bells debuting in sixth spot.

Madonna's Hung up takes a dive, slipping to fifth position and Gold Digger from Kanye West plummets five spots to eight.

On the albums chart, operatic boy band Il Divo is again at number one.

It leads Aussie pop band Human Nature, whose album Reach Out: The Motown Record climbs two spots to second position.

Kelly Clarkson's Breakaway is at three.

Bernard Fanning's offering Tea and Sympathy falls one spot to five.

After a brief hiatus from the top ten, James Blunt's Back to Bedlam is in sixth position.

Australian singles chart
1 (-) Maybe Tonight - Kate DeAraugo
2 (1) My Humps - Black Eyed Peas
3 (-) Stickwitu - The Pussycat Dolls
4 (-) Because Of You - Kelly Clarkson
5 (2) Hung Up - Madonna
6 (-) Jingle Bells - Crazy Frog
7 (5) Push The Button - Sugababes
8 (3) Gold Digger - Kanye West
9 (4) You're Beautiful - James Blunt
10 (6) These Boots Are Made For Walkin' - Jessica Simpson.

Australian albums chart
1 (1) Ancora - Il Divo
2 (4) Reach Out: The Motown Record - Human Nature
3 (2) Breakaway - Kelly Clarkson
4 (5) Tea And Sympathy - Bernard Fanning
5 (7) Intensive Care - Robbie Williams
6 (11) Back To Bedlam - James Blunt
7 (6) Confessions On A Dance Floor - Madonna
8 (10) Monkey Business - Black Eyed Peas
9 (8) I Remember When I Was Young - Songs From The Great Australian Songbook - John Farnham
10 (9) Lift - Shannon Noll

AAP

Excellent work Kate for getting to the top already. Your going to be a huge star, i can see it :D

~ Alissa :star

ANOTHER "IDOL" CHART TOPPING xDEBUT
Kate De Araugo becomes the fifth "Australian Idol" contestant to debut the ARIA chart at #1, with her single "Maybe Tonight". She becomes the 13th solo Australian female to go to #1. The single has been certified platinum, for sales of 70,000 units to shops. However the "Undercover" website revealed that her actual first week sales were 20,000 units -- much lower than Casey Donovan's 35,000 first week sales with her debut single "Listen With Your Heart."

Chart historian Gavin Ryan also makes the point that:

* she is the 903rd chart topper on the Australian chart.

* Casey Donovan debuted at #1 a year ago this week with "Listen To Your Heart". In this 12 month period, only one Australian female has topped the chart, and that was Delta Goodrem in April. * Ryan also makes the point that it's the first time that the word "maybe" has appeared on a chart topping title in Australia. It's the third time "tonight" has appeared on a #1, with "Are You Lonesome Tonight" (December 1960) and "Something About the Way You Look Tonight" (Oct 97). Songs like Creedence's "Hey Tonight" and Roddy's "Tonight's The Night" were close but no cigar.

According to Ryan, it is also the first time that the prefix "De" has ever appeared in a person's name at No.1. The closest ever before was in late 1986 when Chris De Burgh got to No. 2 with "Lady in Red". Only two other "Kate" artists have hit No.1. Kate Smith hit No.1 three times in between 1940 and 1946, and the last Kate to hit No.1 was in May 1978 when Kate Bush was No.1 with "Wuthering Heights".

source: www.themusic.com.au

Gosh, has there only ever been 13 Australian females to top the chart???
That doesn't seem like many!!

Proves just how well Casey, Cosima, Paulini and Kate truly did.

http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/st...5E28957,00.html

Herald Sun 7th Dec

Idol 'Maybe' just a maybe


THE Australian Idol slide continued this week with only 20,307 saying "Yes" to Kate DeAraugo's Maybe Tonight single in its first week.

DeAraugo's debut track hit No. 1 on Monday but sold less than last year's winner Casey Donovan's Listen To Your Heart.
That sold 35,817 copies in its first week even though DeAraugo got more radio support for her ballad than Donovan did.

Original Idol Guy Sebastian sold 128,679 singles two years ago.

This year's Idol also suffered dwindling TV ratings.

But, despite disappointing sales, ARIA still lists DeAraugo's single as platinum, based on copies sent to stores, not sales.

DeAraugo's next test will be whether her recorded-in-a-week album A Place I've Never Been, out on Sunday, can make No. 1.

Donovan's album For You entered the chart at No. 2 last year but swiftly dropped off the Top 20.

Donovan was eclipsed by runner-up Anthony Callea, just as Shannon Noll outsold Guy Sebastian.

The pattern may continue with Idol finalist Lee Harding's Sunday release of Wasabi/Eye of the Tiger tipped to make No. 1.

If DeAraugo is disappointed, she should think of Daryl Somers -- his album Songlines debuted at No. 110 last week and slipped to No. 149 this week.

We wouldn't blame him if he stuck to television hosting.

Kate Debuts At #1 On Singles Chart; 'A Place I've Never Been' Released This Sunday


Kate DeAraugo has sailed into the top of the charts this week, snapping up the #1 spot on the ARIA Top 50 with her debut single 'Maybe Tonight'. The first single from her debut album, 'A Place I've Never Been' (released this Sunday, December 11), 'Maybe Tonight' was the #1 most added song at radio on release and is #15 on the Airplay Chart.


Good things come to those who wait, and the proof is in the ARIA charts this week for our 2005 Australian Idol Kate DeAraugo, who's entered the ARIA Top 50 singles chart in the #1 spot this week with her debut single 'Maybe Tonight' - the first track to be released from her debut album 'A Place I've Never Been', which hits stores nationally this Sunday, December 11.

'A Place I've Never Been' is a collection of songs that capture Kate's beautiful voice and incredible vocal range and power. Kate has worked with some amazing producers on the album, including Bryon Jones (Shannon Noll, Anthony Callea), Matthew Gerrard (Delta, Jessica Simpson, Hilary Duff,), Paul Wiltshire (Backstreet Boys) and Michael Szumowski (Guy Sebastian, Shannon Noll,).

"I have had so much fun making this album, it's definitely the best part of the journey for me so far," says Kate. "I chose the title from the lyrics of The Most Beautiful Place as its one of my favourite songs on the album and A Place I've Never Been perfectly describes where I'm at right now."

"Brand new exciting experiences every single day - it can't get much better than this."

'A Place I've Never Been' Tracklisting:

1. Faded (Matthew Gerrard, Jessica Origliasso, Lisa Origliasso, Robbie Neville)
2. Maybe Tonight (Lindy Robbins, Jess Cates, Dave Bassett)
3. Heaven (Bryan Adams, Jim Vallance)
4. World Stands Still (Andy Love, Steve Lewinson, Pete Lewinson)
5. Famous for Leaving (Brooke McClymont, Andrew Dodd, Adam Watts)
6. If This Is Love (Guy Chambers, Kara DioGuardi, Jewel )
7. Victim (Adam Reily, Darren Anthony)
8. It's Obvious (Glenn Cunningham, Carmen Smith)
9. You Brought The Sunshine (Glenn Cunningham)
10. The Most Beautiful Place (Lindy Robbins, Jess Cates, Tom Leanard)

Originally from Bendigo, Kate captured the nation's hearts during the third series of Australian Idol this year. Having auditioned for Australian Idol in 2003 and 2004, Kate remained determined and worked tirelessly to achieve her goal, beating 25,000 other hopefuls to become the 2005 Australian Idol.

source: www.Katederauago.com.au

Kate DeAraugo's loss is her gain
By FIONA BYRNE
11dec05


http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/st...%5E2902,00.html
AUSTRALIAN Idol winner Kate DeAraugo is ready to let her music speak for itself.

The former Bendigo girl's debut album A Place I've Never Been is released today and her first single Maybe Tonight is at the top of the singles charts.
With much of the focus during Idol being on her 30kg weight loss, DeAraugo is ready to start singing a different tune.

"I decided in early January, 'That is it, I am going to lose this weight'," DeAraugo said.

"It was never about image, it was about health. I did not feel very healthy.

"It was never for anybody but myself.

"I still have a little way to go. I will do that in my own time, but right now I have a bigger focus and that is my music.

"I don't want this whole situation to become about what I look like in a pair of jeans.

"I want it to be focused on me and my music, not me and my dress size."

DeAraugo proved she was as comfortable in front of a camera as she is behind a microphone, as she modelled some summery fashions from Myer and Very Very in an exclusive shoot for the Sunday Herald Sun this week.

The chart-topper, 20, said she was living her dream.

"It is all about self-belief and never giving up," she said.

"Look at me, I came from 30kg heavier 12 months ago, sitting at home thinking 'I am never going to be anyone, I am just going to sit around here and watch TV'."

DeAraugo said she was not concerned that sales of her hit debut single had been lower than those of former Idol winners Casey Donovan and Guy Sebastian.

"I don't want to compare myself to anyone else," she said.

"This is my journey. It is not a sprint, it is a marathon.

"Idol gave me the performance bug and I cannot wait to get out and tour my album next year."

:smilebox

Small article about Kate and James K. in TV Week-




Click below for larger image!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v240/ang...11/TVWeek17.jpg

:angel

It looks like Kate will be performing at the 'Carols by Candle Light'- in Melbourne on Christmas eve... ;)

Yes I read that earlier today! awesome, cant wait for that. :D :dancingsanta

Oh wow, thats great news. Kate would be great at singing Christmas Carols :D She's great at singing anything :P Cant wait!!

i'll capture it if i can

On the Today show- where Kate sang 'Maybe Tonight' and 'Heaven' and looking as gorgeous as ever- she said in the new year her 2nd single will be released and she is looking forward to doing some touring...yay...

(Kate's manager told someone at the Sydney instore the next single was going to be 'Faded'- figures hey?) :D

I've just heard tonight- there is a story about Kate and bringing this girl out of coma!!! It's suppose to be on the channel 10 late news- check local guides for times.

I can't confirm the story will air in all states- but it's worth a look... :D

OMG!!! Serious???? That's given me goosebumps... Oh wow I will have to watch that for sure.
God bless Kate if she is even more gifted than musically! WOW
What an angel, if she did. :magic

I wonder if it's that girl she sang "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" to on Inside Idol?

oh yeah! could be too hey? have to watch it and see we will.

nothing here in Briso :(

11pm at present in perth news hasn't been on yet.

nup nothing on our news in Perth at all about it. :(

People on the Official Forum are saying it's going to be on the 5pm news tonight. Apparantly someone saw it advertised.

I hope this hasn't been posted already - I couldn't see it anywhere.

http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/

Australian Idol encore thrills Tatiana
Erica Thompson
16dec05

THE last time Australian Idol Kate DeAraugo sang to Tatiana Smith, the five-year-old was in a coma.

But now wide awake and on the road to recovery, Tatiana has been angling for an encore.
"She said to me: 'Do you think Kate might be able to sing my song again because I was asleep?"' her mother Tonie said.

Fortunately, DeAraugo was more than happy to oblige yesterday at Brisbane's Royal Children's Hospital.


Rainbow magic: Kate DeAraugo and Tatiana Smith.
Picture: Derek Moore

The Gold Coast singer once again reduced staff to tears by singing Tatiana's favourite song, Somewhere Over the Rainbow, but this time in a moving duet with her number one fan.

"I got a call and they told me she was awake and so I wanted to come back and see her," DeAraugo said.

Tatiana was hit by a car while crossing a road near the family's home at Woodford, 80km north of Brisbane, in October.

"I ran out of the house and saw my little girl lying on the road with her head gaping open and not moving," Mrs Smith said.

"You just go into shock and panic mode and do whatever you have to do."

Tatiana was flown to the RCH with severe head injuries and spent two weeks in a coma.

It was during this time that DeAraugo and her fellow Idol finalists happened to visit.

"I walked into this room and I saw Tatiana and her parents and everybody looked so sad and her mum asked me if I could sing her favourite song and so I did," DeAraugo said. "Even though I knew my singing wouldn't make her better, it was nice to be doing something for someone else."

Gold Coast Bulletin
Edition B - MainFRI 16 DEC 2005, Page 008
Sheepish Kate now the centre of attention
By by Melanie Pilling


AUSTRALIAN Idol Kate DeAraugo returned to the Gold Coast yesterday for the first time since leaving five months ago in search of stardom.
It was a whirlwind visit for DeAraugo, who performed her debut single Maybe Tonight at Pacific Fair in front of 300 screaming fans.
The 19-year-old says she is becoming used to the attention.
``It's been crazy,'' she said.
``It doesn't feel like that long ago that I left, and it doesn't feel like I've been doing Idol for five months. It has been such a whirlwind, but I like it that way.
``It's great to be back. I love the Coast.
``As soon as I stepped off the plane and felt that lovely heat wave I remembered how much I had missed it.''
The former swimming teacher has made the biggest transformation of any of the Australian Idol hopefuls across all three series, dropping more than 30kg and going from a confessed `dag' to a sexy songstress.
Yesterday, she looked a little sheepish as she answered questions from fans about how good she looked.
``I don't know, I'm not,'' said an embarrassed DeAraugo when a male fan yelled out `how do you stay so hot'.
She said the Idol experience had changed her life and she wanted to use the privilege to inspire others.
``Last Christmas I was here (at Pacific Fair) and no one even looked twice at me,'' she said.
``I would love to share what I've learned with others because there are plenty of young people who don't believe in themselves.''

Don't forget Kate will be on:

'The big night in with John's Foreman', channel 10, Friday 23rd- check local guides for times- it's late.

and 'Carols by Candle Lights', channel 9, 8pm, Saturday 24th.

Enjoy!

lol, I've just been reading, Kate's song 'Faded' is being used as a promo for the Smallville adds on channel 10!!!!! ;)

Excellent promotion ;)

How cool is that? :lol:

Oh wow, that is really cool!! Kate song really goes well with the show ;)

news.com.au


Stars ... Kate DeAraugo and Daryl Somers gather in the name of Christmas for a not-so silent night IT'S a yuletide tradition as inevitable as a dose of indigestion after overindulging at Christmas lunch.

For the 26th year, Carols By Candlelight will broadcast live from the Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne. Hosted once again by Ray Martin, the 2005 roll-call of celebrity carollers includes Guy Sebastian, Natalie Bassingthwaighte, David Campbell, Marina Prior, Debra Byrne and Anthony Callea.
Traditionally there are performers young and old, and this year Australian Idol winner Kate DeAraugo moves her career up a notch with an appearance, while old-timer Daryl Somers continues his TV comeback.

While an average audience of 1.8 million watch from home, those who pay for the privilege of clutching candles in person will raise proceeds for Vision Australia, which provides services for vision-impaired children.

"All the artists donate their time which is really unusual," executive producer Margaret Bashfield says. "There are not many events you get to work on where the people are there because they really want to be."

In a rare display of co-operation between rival networks, star performers from an array of programs feature in the line-up. Hence the inclusion of Australian Idol alumni and Dancing With The Stars' spruiker Somers.


Advertisement:
While some familiar faces have become Carols veterans, they mingle backstage with nervous newcomers about to make their debut.
"We say the same thing to all of them: it's the most loving crowd that you will ever perform in front of because everyone is happy and they want to love the artists," Bashfield says.

"They all say there is no other event like it. For whatever reason, standing on stage at Carols is unlike any other event they do.

"The sea of candles is extraordinary. To stand there and see this mass of people and a mass of candles is really, really special. We in the production team don't get out on stage much but we always make sure we find a moment to go and stand side of stage and have a look at what the performers see."


Carols By Candlelight, Christmas Eve, Nine, 9pm (EDST)
CAROLS BY NUMBERS:

* 8 weeks' full-time preparation - planning started at the completion of last year's show
* 9 days to set up Melbourne's Sidney Myer Music Bowl (set and lighting)
* 12 cameras
* 12km of cables
* 16 years with Ray Martin as host
* 22 artists or groups
* 26 years of Nine broadcasting the 68-year-old event
* 33 songs in the show
* 63 orchestra members led by Australian Idol musical director John Foreman (40-piece strings section, 23 band musicians)
* 145 crew from rigging, show and de-rigging
* 224 Carols By Candlelight choir members
* 1000 lights
* 20,000 plus audience at the venue
* 1.8 million national TV audience

The Advertiser
Edition 1 - State THU 29 DEC 2005, Page 056
Wonderful tonight
By Robert Greenwood


IT may have been no surprise to most of us when Kate DeAraugo's debut single, Maybe Tonight, shot to No 1 on the ARIA chart, but try telling that to our new Australian Idol.
``There is always some pressure because every Idol winner has gone straight to No 1,'' she says. ``But at the same time, you can't predict whether people are going to like what you do, so I was certainly relieved when it got there.''
With new album A Place I've Never Been earning platinum status, it has been a whirlwind few weeks for the Gold Coast swimming instructor since her crowning moment at the Sydney Opera House last month. ``The album has a bit of everything. There is no particular style,'' she says.
``When you think about songs that have been big hits, they don't necessarily fit into one genre. They are just really songs that people love and can connect with.''
DeAraugo recorded the album in just seven days.
``You are still running on adrenalin and it's all very new and exciting, but I love being in the studio. Take me back to the studio. It was incredible,'' she says.

Courier Mail CD Review
Kate DeAraugo
A Place I've Never Been
(Sony BMG) ****1/2

AUSTRALIAN Idol Kate DeAraugo's A Place I've Never Been only entered the ARIA chart at No 10 this week, proving that the public's desire for all things Idol is definitely waning.
Banged out in Idol-style in just five days, the album is an eclectic collection which ranges from pop, with Faded, to R&B with World Stands Still and Famous For Leaving. Covers of Bryan Adam's Heaven, done ballad-style, and the Jewel-Guy Chambers song If This Is Love add to the trend of an obviously conflicted DeAraugo trying to find her style -- without being granted the time to do so.

Despite the 20-year-old former Gold Coast swimming coach's search for her own truth, however, her voice is strong and her album is remarkably good for a rushed debut attempt. So with the media filled with reports of DeAraugo's failure to live up to the standards of previous Idol stars, one has to wonder if her album's faltering sales are more of a backlash against the TV show itself than a rejection of the singer's own talent.

-- Alex Murdoch

Article from Supre's magazine "Supre Me"

I'm not sure how true this is but....




Kate & David's Romance

The rumor mill has gone into overdrive with speculation that Australian Idol Kate DeAraugo is romancing David Campbell.

The pair were clearly into each other at a recent charity event in Sydney, where they both performed.

As David, 32, took to the stage, 20-year-old Kate sat and gazed adoringly at him.

"She looked smitten" says one onlooker. "It was clear she felt something for him."

Suspicions were confirmed when former Dancing With The Stars competitor David arrived back at his table and took a seat right next to Kate.

"I don't think it will be long before they make it official" says the onlooker.


Source: Woman's Day, April 3rd 2006

they're just mates is all. Kate answered this two weeks ago on her official website.

Divas Know It's For Real This Time
By Christine Sams
May 7, 2006

FOUR female stars from Australian Idol have formed an all-girl pop group to try to bolster album sales and audience numbers for a local tour.

Singers Kate DeAraugo and Emily Williams, the winner and runner-up from last year's series, have joined forces with Idol performers Ricki-Lee Coulter and Paulini Curuenavuli to form a girl group.

The band, Young Divas, releases its first single today - a cover version of the 1970s Donna Summer hit This Time I Know It's For Real. But despite their decision to release a single as a pop group, ahead of a 17-date national tour, the singers are insisting their solo careers still come first.

"It's not an Idol supergroup, it's just about finding four female voices. It just so happened the four we've gone with are all from Idol," said DeAraugo.

"'The single is just to promote the tour, just to show a taste of what will be on there, but there won't be an album."

But despite the performers' current stance on recording further material, there is an obvious marketing strategy behind the formation of the group. The women have already rehearsed at least four other songs together for their concert tour, signalling a behind-the-scenes marketing push which could eventually lead Young Divas to an album release.

The key corporate players behind Young Divas, including Sony BMG and Caplice Management, will be carefully monitoring sales of the band's single, to see whether the girl group formula might be a saviour for flagging Australian Idol sales.



Source: Sydney Morning Herald

http://www.smh.com.au/news/music/the-new-a...6335964696.html

Sounds Like Desperation
The Advertiser, Adelaide
3/5/2006



IF you can't drum up enough record sales on your own, rope in some friends.

Gone-missing Australian Idol winner Kate DeAraugo has re-emerged linked with Idol finalists Paulini Curuenavuli, Emily Williams and Ricki-Lee Coulter on a national tour from July, named Young Divas.

Wonder if 2004 Idol winner Casey Donovan will be miffed she was left off the tour?

Kings crowns Idols
30.04.2006


By Toby Walker IT’S not often you get to see one of your favourite singers for free but around 3000 screaming fans got the chance as two of Australian Idol’s biggest stars touched down in Caloundra yesterday.
Last year’s series winner Kate DeAraugo and the Sunshine Coast’s own “Idol” Dan England took to the stage in Kings Beach Park for Hot 91.1’s highly anticipated free beach concert.

Camera-wielding fans and excited youngsters did all they could to catch a glimpse of Kate and her band before they hit the stage to treat the crowded park to songs from her album, A Place I’ve Never Been.

With the afternoon late sun beating down, Kate said she would have liked to go for a swim but, like her previous visits to the Coast, a frantic schedule and expectant fans put a frolic in the ocean way down the priority list.
But would she have a bit of downtime after the show to hang out with Dan before jetting off to Sydney.

“I wish, I wish.

“England and I haven’t really had a chance to catch up for a little while.

“He’s been busy recording and I’ve just been running around like a looney but I’m sure we will when we can.”

Kate might have to wait for a Sydney rendezvous to hook up with Dan, but at least Dan’s friends and family had a chance to catch up with their Palmwoods-boy-made-good before he goes to Brisbane tomorrow to support Russell Crowe.

“I’ve got a bit of a crew hanging out here and I actually just saw a mate that I haven’t seen for years so it’s always good to catch up with people like that,” he said.

Record company demands might be calling him back to Sydney soon but was Dan happy to be back on the Coast.

“It is and it always will be because I grew up here and it’s home, that’ll never change.”

The screaming hordes of mostly young girls may have been star struck to see their idols in the flesh but Belle Carr was luckier than most.

Winning a Daily-sponsored competition to have lunch with Kate before the show, the seven-year-old from Mooloolaba could only stare in awe throughout the whole meal.

But once Kate hit the stage, Belle was back to life and bouncing around with the rest of the crowd singing along like the rest of them.


Source: Sunshine Coast Daily

http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/local...condsubsection=

Kate finds her idol in Campbell
May 12, 2006

ARE Jimmy Barnes' son David Campbell and Idol diva Kate De Araugo shagging? According to their agent, yes.

"That's what you want to know right? If they're shagging?" asked agent David Champion, who manages both singers.

"Well, they're more than that, they're more than romantic. They're beyond romance," he told Confidential.

"They're kindred spirits, they connect like no other couple I've ever seen. They're brother and sister, lover, not lover, fighter, friend.

"The two of them like hanging out like you wouldn't believe," he said.

Confidential's interest was sparked after the couple was seen together having a romantic drink at the Opera Bar after Campbell's Opera House show last week.

The pair was then seen leaving the Logies together on Sunday night and the following morning having breakfast together before cosying up again following the taping of Dancing with the Stars on Tuesday night.

"Yes, they were at the Logies together.

They hung out all night, they bounced off walls and had an incredible time," Champion said.

So did the couple share a hotel room after the Logies?

"Yes, but I'm sure the maid didn't have too much work the next day in one of those rooms," Confidential was told.

Campbell broke up with his long-term girlfriend Katie McCarthy almost a year ago and hasn't had a serious relationship since.

De Araugo was single throughout Idol and hasn't had a boyfriend since the show finished in November.