Ricki-Lee had a busy yr in 2022 – and this yr is about to be simply as busy.
Sizzling on the heels of her profitable internet hosting AGTthe favored singer will kick off 2023 as host for the much-anticipated return of Australian Idol.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: First take a look at Australian Idol 2023
Stream the world’s greatest actuality, leisure and true crime reveals totally free on 7Bravo on 7plus >>
For Ricki-Lee, it really is a full-circle second, internet hosting the beloved present 19 years after she first appeared on it as a gifted younger contestant.
She’ll share internet hosting duties with famend leisure presenter and former E! host Scott Tweedie, whereas judges Kyle Sandilands, Harry Connick Jr, Amy Shark and Meghan Trainor will resolve the destiny of those that audition.
“My post-Idol expertise is longer than I lived earlier than Idol,” Ricki-Lee instructed 7Entertainment forward of the present’s January 30 premiere.
“It is loopy; this present has been over half my life.
“Once I was a little bit lady, all I needed was to be on stage and to carry out for folks, making music that makes folks really feel one thing.
“I used to be a fan of Michael Jackson and Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston and Celine Dion, all these folks.
“I needed folks to know me for my music, to sing alongside to my songs, and all of these issues have occurred because of Idol.
“This present made all of my childhood desires come true, after which some.”
When she was approached to host the present, she was ecstatic.
“It is Idol, after all I will do it!” she mentioned.
“It is the present that modified my entire life, after all I will be a part of that present.”
On the chance that auditioning for Idol affords, Ricki-Lee mentioned it was an opportunity for artists “to let the entire of the nation see you, to get to know you and your music.”
“As soon as the present ends, whether or not you win it or come seventh, like I did, it is as much as you to maintain working to make music – to take that torch and run with it,” she mentioned.
And run with it Ricki-Lee did, occurring to promote greater than one million information globally.
She’s had 4 #1 hits on the ARIA Dance Chart and UK Membership Chart, 10 ARIA High 10 singles, two ARIA High 10 albums, and over 75 million streams of her music.
And though her profession as a TV host has gone from power to power, Ricki-Lee continues to be creating music.
She has been busy within the studio writing and recording tracks for a brand new album, due for launch this yr, after a few years on COVID hiatus.
As for her function on Idol, she describes herself as one thing of a “stage mum” to the contestants.
They belief her recommendation as a result of they know she has fairly actually walked of their sneakers.
“I believe it is nice that somebody who’s been by way of the entire course of, and somebody who’s had an 18-year profession since then, may be there to supply them assist or recommendation,” she mentioned.
“Until you have been by way of it, you actually can’t clarify it to anybody else.
“It is emotionally, bodily and mentally draining.
“It is exhausting to undergo, as a result of usually, contestants are actually pinning their hopes and desires on this present.
“So there’s an actual responsibility of care there, for all of us, to deal with these guys and ensure they’re sorted, it doesn’t matter what occurs.
“We wish everybody who comes on (Idol) to have the ability to stroll away with their head held excessive.
“We wish them to be pleased with themselves and really feel actually glad that they got here in and gave it a shot.”
Australian Idol premieres Monday January 30 on Channel 7 and 7plus.
