New Zealand Idol season 2

The second season of New Zealand Idol commenced on 3 July 2005. The judges were Paul Ellis, Jackie Clarke and Frankie Stevens.

Auditions
The auditions were held at the following locations:


 * Telstraclear Pacific Events Centre, Manukau
 * Riccarton Racecourse, Riccarton, Christchurch
 * Trentham Racecourse, Trentham, Upper Hutt

Those who were successful would proceed to the "Top 60" theatre rounds held at the Telstraclear Pacific Events Centre in Auckland.

Theatre Week
The successful contestants who made it through to the "Top 60" rounds would spend a gruelling three days at the theatre.


 * Day One: Contestants, in groups of six, were to sing in turn, a cappella, a song of their own choice. This year the judges deliberated immediately after each line sang, then delivered the verdict.
 * Eliminated: Carlie Howe, Francis Walker, Rachael, Kylie Adams, Amomai Pihema, Sera Devcich, Sally, Jamie, 


 * Day Two: Trio performances would test the contestants' teamwork skills, with the guys performing Ben E. King's "Stand by Me", while the girls would perform Bill Withers' classic "Lean on Me." At the end of this, the group was once more reduced by a further 12.
 * Eliminated: Herb, Tipene, Cre'-Ammon, Krystel, Ruth, Alison, Sarah, 


 * Day Three: The remaining 36 contestants have one last opportunity to impress the judges. Once again they were to perform solo, (a cappella), in front of the judges.
 * Eliminated: Lance Ainofo, Tiresa, Nikki, Letitia, Peter Jackson, Lorna, Jamie Lamb, 

The decision of the final cut to the "Top 24" was delivered to three groups of twelve, with one group being sent home.

Group 1

 * Frank Andrews – "Nice and Slow" by Usher
 * Kevin Malagamaali'i – "I Believe I Can Fly" by R. Kelly
 * Christine Hutt – "Out of the Blue" by Delta Goodrem
 * Keshia Paulse – "Hero" by Mariah Carey


 * Marcel Bramao – "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)" by James Taylor
 * Steven Broad – "Here Without You" by 3 Doors Down
 * Katherine Creed – "Breakaway" by Kelly Clarkson
 * Pip Kayser – "One Way or Another" by Blondie

Advancing to the Top 10: Frank Andrews, Keshia Paulse and Steven Broad Wildcard Contenders: Kevin Malagamaali'i, Marcel Bramao

Group 2

 * Saelyn Guyton – "I Feel the Earth Move" by Carole King
 * Daniel Bell – "Virtual Insanity" by Jamiroquai
 * Rick Bhatia – "This Love" by Maroon 5
 * Lissel Stewart – "Chains" by Tina Arena


 * Rosita Vai – "I Have Nothing" by Whitney Houston
 * Shelley Paikea – "Saving All My Love for You" by Whitney Houston
 * Mathew Morris – "When the War Is Over" by Cold Chisel
 * Ashley Cooper – "Love Really Hurts Without You" by Billy Ocean

Advancing to the Top 10: Rosita Vai, Shelley Paikea and Ashley Cooper Wildcard Contenders: Saelyn Guyton, Lissel Stewart

Group 3

 * Clark To'o – "If There's Any Justice" by Lemar
 * Rongo Brightwell – "Superstar" by The Carpenters
 * Jesse O'Brien – "If You Could Only See" by Tonic
 * Maselina Leimoa – "If I Ain't Got You" by Alicia Keys


 * Teresa Bergman – "Uninvited" by Alanis Morissette
 * Malia Matthews – "One Moment in Time" by Whitney Houston
 * Nik Carlson – "I'm Your Baby Tonight" by Whitney Houston
 * Makuini Taikato – "Reflection" by Christina Aguilera

Advancing to the Top 10: Rongo Brightwell, Jesse O'Brien and Nik Carlson Wildcard Contenders: Clark To'o, Maselina Leimoa, Teresa Bergman, Malia Matthews

Wildcards

 * Saelyn Guyton – "All Cried Out" by Allure
 * Kevin Malagamaali'i – "Dance with My Father" by Luther Vandross
 * Maselina Leimoa – "Brown Eyes" by Destiny's Child
 * Teresa Bergman – "Burn" by Tina Arena


 * Lissel Stewart – "Hit 'em Up Style (Oops!)" by Blu Cantrell
 * Clark To'o – "Ordinary People by John Legend
 * Marcel Bramao – "Your Body Is a Wonderland" by John Mayer
 * Malia Matthews – "Stranded" by Lutricia McNeal

Advancing to the Top 10: Teresa Bergman

Rosita Vai
Rosita Vai (born 4 June 1981 in Auckland) was the winner of the second series of "New Zealand Idol".


 * Audition: "I Have Nothing" by Whitney Houston
 * Theatre Week (Round 1):
 * Theatre Week (Round 3): "Work it Out" by Beyoncé Knowles
 * Top 24: "I Have Nothing" by Whitney Houston
 * Top 10: "Nobody's Supposed to Be Here" by Deborah Cox
 * Top 9: "I'm Coming Out" by Diana Ross
 * Top 8: "Always Be My Baby" by Mariah Carey
 * Top 7: "Golden" by Jill Scott
 * Top 6: You're All I Need" by Aretha Franklin
 * Top 5: "If It Makes You Happy" by Sheryl Crow
 * Top 4: "Sweet Lovers" by The Holidaymakers, "Language" by Annie Crummer
 * Top 3: "I Can't Tell You Why" by The Eagles, "Dangerously in Love" by Beyoncé Knowles
 * Top 2: "How Come You Don't Call Me?" by Alicia Keys, "Golden" by Jill Scott, "All I Ask" (Winner's single)

Nik Carlson
Nik Carlson (born 8 November 1978 in Masterton), was runner-up to winner Rosita Vai.


 * Audition: "Let Me Love You" by Mario
 * Theatre Week (Round 1): "Hero" by Enrique Iglesias
 * Theatre Week (Round 3): "Me and Mrs. Jones" by Billy Paul
 * Top 24: "I'm Your Baby Tonight" by Whitney Houston
 * Top 10: "Don't You Worry 'bout a Thing" by Stevie Wonder Bottom 3
 * Top 9: "Sweet Love" by Anita Baker Bottom 2
 * Top 8: "Under the Bridge" by Red Hot Chili Peppers
 * Top 7: "I Believe in a Thing Called Love" by The Darkness / Lemar
 * Top 6: "Let's Stay Together" by Al Green
 * Top 5: "Beating Heart Baby" by Head Automatica
 * Top 4: "Watchin' U" by Ardijah, "It's Too Late" by Evermore Bottom 2
 * Top 3: "Someone to Love" by Jon B. & Babyface, "Is This Love" by Bob Marley
 * Top 2: "Never Too Much" by Luther Vandross, "I Believe in a Thing Called Love" by The Darkness / Lemar, "All I Ask" (Winner's single)

Steven Broad
Steve Broad (born 29 January 1986, from Invercargill), came third.


 * Audition: "Tomorrow" from the film, "Annie"
 * Theatre Week (Round 1): "Better Be Home Soon" by Crowded House
 * Theatre Week (Round 3): "I Can See Clearly Now" by Johnny Nash
 * Top 24: "Here Without You" by 3 Doors Down
 * Top 10: "Spin" by Lifehouse
 * Top 9: "With or Without You" by U2
 * Top 8: "(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" by Bryan Adams Bottom 3
 * Top 7: "Smooth" by Santana & Rob Thomas Bottom 3
 * Top 6: "Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours)" by Stevie Wonder Bottom 3
 * Top 5: "Higher" by Creed
 * Top 4: "Walls" by Shihad, "Stand Up" by The Feelers
 * Top 3: "Your Song" by Elton John, "Burn for You" by John Farnham

Jesse O'Brien
Jesse O'Brien, (born 25 September 1977, in Dunedin, now residing in Hamilton), was placed fourth.


 * Audition: "Be Yourself" by Audioslave
 * Theatre Week (Round 1): "One Last Breath" by Creed
 * Theatre Week (Round 3): "Nothing Can Wait" by Opshop
 * Top 24: "If You Could Only See" by Tonic
 * Top 10: "Be Yourself" by Audioslave
 * Top 9: "Where the Streets Have No Name" by U2
 * Top 8: "Incomplete" by The Backstreet Boys
 * Top 7: "I Don't Want to Be" by Gavin DeGraw
 * Top 6: "Hard to Handle" by Otis Redding Bottom 2
 * Top 5: "Best of You" by The Foo Fighters Bottom 2
 * Top 4: "Why Does Love Do This To Me?" by The Exponents, "No Ordinary Thing" by Opshop Eliminated

Teresa Bergman
Teresa Bergman (born 14 October 1986, in Lower Hutt), finished in fifth place. She originally missed out on a place in the Final 10 but was brought back for the Wildcard Special and received the last position into the finals.


 * Audition: "Secret Song" by Alanis Morissette
 * Theatre Week (Round 1): "Only When I Sleep" by The Corrs
 * Theatre Week (Round 3):
 * Top 24: "Uninvited" by Alanis Morissette
 * Wildcard: "Burn" by Tina Arena
 * Top 10: "Mascara" by Killing Heidi
 * Top 9: "Roam" by The B-52's Bottom 3
 * Top 8: "Foolish Games" by Jewel
 * Top 7: "Going Under" by Evanescence
 * Top 6: "Walk On By" by Dionne Warwick
 * Top 5: "Zombie" by The Cranberries Eliminated

Rongo Brightwell
Rongo Brightwell (16 September 1987 in Mohaka, Hawke's Bay), was placed sixth.


 * Audition: "Superstar" by The Carpenters
 * Theatre Week (Round 1): "Dancing in the Street" by Martha and the Vandellas
 * Theatre Week (Round 3): "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" by Marvin Gaye
 * Top 24: "Superstar" by The Carpenters
 * Top 10: "Hidden Agenda" by Craig David
 * Top 9: "Get Outta My Dreams, Get into My Car" by Billy Ocean
 * Top 8: "Never Gonna Give You Up" by Rick Astley
 * Top 7: "Colour Me Life" by Katchafire Bottom 2
 * Top 6: "Ain't Too Proud to Beg" by The Temptations Eliminated

Frank Andrews
Frank Andrews (born 22 June 1985, in Rotorua), finished in seventh place.


 * Audition: "O" by Omarion
 * Theatre Week (Round 1): "Let Me Love You" by Mario
 * Theatre Week (Round 3): "A Whole New World" by Peabo Bryson and Regina Belle
 * Top 24: "Nice and Slow" by Usher
 * Top 10: "How Could You" by Mario
 * Top 9: "I Want to Wake Up with You" by Boris Gardiner
 * Top 8: "Bump, Bump, Bump" by B2K & P Diddy Bottom 2
 * Top 7: "That Girl" by Marques Houston Eliminated

Ashley Cooper
Ashley Cooper (born 23 February 1988 in Cambridge), placed eighth.


 * Audition: "When You Say Nothing at All" by Ronan Keating
 * Theatre Week (Round 1): "Midnight Train to Georgia" by Gladys Knight
 * Theatre Week (Round 3): "When I See You Smile" by Bic Runga
 * Top 24: "Love Really Hurts Without You" by Billy Ocean
 * Top 10: "Everywhere" by Michelle Branch Bottom 2
 * Top 9: "Listen to Your Heart" by Roxette
 * Top 8: "Don't Speak" by No Doubt Eliminated

Keshia Paulse
Keshia Paulse (born 14 December 1984 in Auckland), finished ninth.


 * Audition: "Natural Woman" by Aretha Franklin
 * Theatre Week (Round 1):
 * Theatre Week (Round 3): "Chain of Fools" by Aretha Franklin
 * Top 24: "Hero" by Mariah Carey
 * Top 10: "Only Believe" by Yolanda Adams
 * Top 9: "Let's Hear It for the Boy" by Deniece Williams Eliminated

Shelley Paikea
Shelley Paikea (born 25 May 1981 in Pukekohe), was placed tenth.


 * Audition:
 * Theatre Week (Round 1): "I Wanna Dance with Somebody" by Whitney Houston
 * Theatre Week (Round 3):
 * Top 24: "Saving All My Love for You" by Whitney Houston
 * Top 10: "Lovin U" by Alicia Keys Eliminated

The Top 10 Group Performances

 * The Top 10: "Dedicated to the One I Love" by The Shirelles
 * The Top 9: "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" by Wham!
 * The Top 8: "Unchain My Heart" by Joe Cocker
 * The Top 7: "The Reason" by Hoobastank
 * The Top 6: "You Can't Hurry Love" by The Supremes
 * The Top 5: "Life Is a Highway" by Tom Cochrane
 * The Top 4: "Glorafilia" by Zed
 * The Top 3: "If I Let You Go" by Westlife
 * The Top 2: "Upside Down" by Diana Ross

The Grand Final
The final was held on 17 October, with the following performances:


 * Lissel Stewart, Marcel Bramao, Saelyn Guyton: "Crazy" by Seal
 * Shelley Paikea: "Lovin U" by Alicia Keys
 * Keshia Paulse: "Only Believe" by Yolanda Adams
 * Ashley Cooper: "Everywhere" by Michelle Branch
 * Frank Andrews: "How Could You" by Mario
 * Rongo Brightwell: "Get Outta My Dreams, Get into My Car" by Billy Ocean
 * Teresa Bergman: "Going Under" by Evanescence
 * Jesse O'Brien: "Where the Streets Have No Name" by U2
 * Steve Broad: "Spin" by Lifehouse
 * The Top 10: "Shout" by Tears for Fears
 * Rosita Vai: "Dangerously in Love" by Beyoncé Knowles
 * Nik Carlson: "Let's Stay Together" by Al Green
 * Frank, Jesse, Rongo & Steve: "Tainted Love" by Soft Cell
 * Keshia, Ashley, Shelley & Teresa: "Walking on Sunshine" by Katrina and the Waves
 * Frankie Stevens & Jackie Clarke: "Put a Little Love in Your Heart" by Jackie DeShannon
 * Ben Lummis & Sela Mahe: "Never Say I Love You" by Ben Lummis
 * Rosita Vai: "All I Ask" (winner's single)