MT EVELYN brickie Scott Newnham has made it into the top 12 of Australian Idol.
Viewers last night voted him into the next stage of the Channel 10 singing contest, along with fellow contestant Sabrina Batshon.
>> Did you like Scott’s performance? Tell us what you thought or send a message of support in the comments section below.
It followed his “electrifying” performance of American singer Chris Brown’s “Run It” on Wednesday night - his first time on live national television.
Newnham told leadernews.com.au it was an understatement to say that singing his favourite song in front of screaming fans was a surreal experience.
“It was one of those things when you’re a kid you think, ‘I’d love to doing that’, but you never think it will happen,” Newnham said.
“It’s just my favourite song - I know it back to front and usually sing it in the shower.”
Despite positive feedback about his performance from the judges, Newnham said he was uncertain how he would fair in tonight’s verdict, but nerves weren’t an issue.
“There’s no point in being nervous because I can’t do anything about it,” he said.
The former brickie’s labourer said he wasn’t missing the early morning starts.
“I don’t miss it, but it wasn’t the worse thing in the world,” he said.
“It feels good not waking up and seeing the moon as you go to work.”
Newnham said his eyes were fixed on winning the competition and he was not concerned about all the eyes now fixed on him.
“I really want it, now that I’ve come this far,” he said.
“I get a lot of people saying, ‘You’re that guy’, and I say, ‘Yes I am a guy’.
“I get a lot of older dudes doing double takes too but I don’t feel any different.”
Mum Christa Winter said despite some early nerves watching her son perform on TV was extremely exciting.
“Before he started I was a bit nervous,” Ms Winter said.
“But he seemed to be in control and looked comfortable, my sister rang and said she had tears in her eyes but I was more excited than emotional because of the way he did it - it was astounding.”
Ms Winter had never heard her son sing before this year.
She said whatever happened he would make the most of the experience.
“All he can do is he best,” she said.
“Regardless of what the outcome is I think his life has gone down a different road permanently, it’s certainly his dream to pursue it.”
