SA idol lashes out at judges
2003-12-18 11:08
Wembley - Heinz Winckler has described some of the judges in the World Idol competition as "ego-maniacs".
The 25-year-old from Stellenbosch says the final competition was an anti-climax for him, because some of the judges were very negative about the performances of most of the 11 finalists.
"The positive aspect is that once the recording has been edited, viewers will get a different version to what I experienced during the filming," he says.
The competition, taped at a television studio near the Wembley stadium in London, will be broadcast in 22 countries on December 24 and more than 100 million people are expected to tune in.
It will be broadcast by M-Net in South Africa and after the show viewers will be able to vote for their favourite for 24 hours. (Voters will not be allowed to vote for the contestant from their country.)
"I expected this part of the entire experience to be the climax, but it was an anti-climax. I experienced the rehearsal, working with the production house and meeting and inter-acting with the other competitors much more positive than the final competition.
"I'm not just saying this because some of the judges were quite negative about my performance. This competition is something that has a lot of potential and is so positive and beautiful. Unfortunately a few ego-maniacs, who tried their best to be more rude than the next one, made it a bad experience," Winckler said afterwards.
Still positive
"But I enjoyed my performance and I feel I gave a good rendition of Aerosmith's I don't want to miss a thing. I was happy and comfortable with it. I'm still positive that voting will go well when the public see my performance and start voting."
Winckler says he and the other competitors would like to get an international break. "What I wanted to know of the judges is if I would be able to make it in their countries."
Many of the guests at the competition also thought the judges had spoilt the evening because of their "unnecessary harsh and unwelcome" criticisms. Some of the judges were accused of trying to manipulate the evening to their advantage.
Some of the criticism against Heinz: "Very light" and another said he should "put more sparkle in his performance and he would surprise himself", "very average and you missed a few notes", "I like your performance, but you will have to give more to win", "is that your best", and "you have a good voice and you look good, but hasn't got natural charisma".
Some of the other competitors faced even harsher criticism.
Randall Abrahams, who didn't hesitate to tell the competitors in South Africa what he thought of their performances, defended Heinz by saying, "I think this competition is only the beginning. You are growing with every performance."
The competitors who impressed the judges were British idol Will Young and American, Kelly Clarkson, who have both cracked the international market, as well as Australian Guy Sebastian and Kurt Nilsen of Norway.
Clarkson is the British bookmakers' favourite at 2/1, followed by Young at 5/2 and Sebastian at 6/1. Winckler's chances are rated at 12/1.
The winner will be announced following the final competition in London on January 1.
On the net:
www.worldidol.tv