HEY guys! It’s Milly here - you may remember me from the year that was Australian Idol 2005 (Finalist No.8). Now, you’re probably starting to wonder - “where have all these Idols gotten to?” and “What are they doing now?” Well, let me tell you - if they’re anything like me, we definitely haven’t stopped performing!

In my case, still 17 when Idol had finished, I continued studying - so the year after, I went back and finished Year 12 at Sandringham College in Melbourne. It was yet another enormous year, with all the work that was to be done - but not only that, there were the regular gigs, appearances and many other musical involvements!

Now, 19 years old - I have a band - perform regularly around Melbourne, small and large gigs - Blues, Soul, Funk, Jazz and Reggae - writing all the time. You may have noticed I have also had a name change - I know, I know - No, I’m not copying Nikki Webster - but my surname is Moodie. Milly Moodie. (I just did the James Bond thing didn’t I? Sorry)

So, yes, it’s that time again - I can imagine you were all curled up on the couch last night with your best judging caps on - wondering if you could spot the Australian Idol for 2007. How did you go?

I was there with you all too - although there were a lot of singers - I am still having rather bad visions of Spiderman in the splits or the extreme fashion disasters that came out of Queensland - what were they thinking?!

I can still remember the audition process for myself though - although they don’t show it all. There are actually two auditions (sometimes three) prior to the one shown with the four judges. So you can imagine how exhausted - and emotional - all the singers are by that stage! AND the line up beforehand - all through the night - not being able to sleep - because let me tell you, there will always be that one person who doesn’t stop singing the entire night!

So - I have been asked by NEWS.com.au (Andrew) to keep you on top of your Idol news with this blog - you’ll be hearing more from me about Idol and also some things that I’ve been up to with gigs and new things coming up ....

I’ll also be seeing what some past Idols like Lee Harding, Tarni Stephens, and others think of the new talent this year…

So far - there has been a great diverse lot of talent. Ones that stood out for me so far were Cheray Doughty, Hayden Andrews and Jasmine Anderson - but who knows what else there is to come ...