Bringing Aussie goodness to the “Australian Idol” judging panel is indie pop sensation and household name, Amy Shark.
Shark herself describes her style of critique as a balance of “kindness, humility and honesty”. And with eight ARIA Music Awards in her arsenal, she’s sure to be the authority on the Australian music scene. In other words, she’s been there. She’s done it. She gets it.
Adding to the long list of traits that make her a relatable queen, Shark’s first time singing in front of an audience was at a songwriting competition that her then-boyfriend had secretly entered her into. She was fuming, to say the least, feeling the full effects of imposter syndrome and nerves at the time. But despite not feeling like a singer in the moment (even though she clearly was), she reflects on the performance with positivity and satisfaction.
Shark’s experience in the Australian industry makes her a valuable asset and mentor to “Idol” contestants. On a personal level, she knows firsthand the challenges and pressures of trying to break into the local market. For this season’s contestants, Shark offers words of encouragement: “You’ve already proved to us that you have something special, so get out there, be a superstar, but also have fun”.
Shark has most definitely demonstrated her ability to stay relevant by establishing her presence on TikTok. Many of her videos have racked up over 25,000 views with the artist showing off the behind-the-scenes of her life, raw singing videos and fan duets. And despite offering an intimate glimpse into her life, you’ll rarely catch the artist without her signature half-up-half-down hair style.
@amyshark Amy & Harry moments part 1 #harry #amy #bestfriends ♬ Monkeys Spinning Monkeys – Kevin MacLeod & Kevin The Monkey
Being genuinely honest is at the heart of not only her judging style but her music too. Shark says she was influenced by Alanis Morisette’s compositions in addition to the works of band, Silverchair. The Australian rock band taught her that she didn’t need to be Mariah Carey to sing her own songs.
Will she spot the next big Aussie star to follow in her footsteps? Watch Australian Idol on Channel 7 and 7plus.
