Final 7 Week

If I could sing any song on the Australian Idol stage, it would be my unnamed original - because I feel so comfortable singing my own stuff. My own stuff really represents who I want to be as an artist. 

The dangerous thing about fame would be losing sight of who you are. It's really important to keep that clear in your head because you can be changed into something completely different otherwise - and I think the best person you can be is you. 

Writing a song and rearranging someone else's song are so similar. Rearranging someone else's song is basically having your own take on the original. Of course, when you do your own song, you also have to work on lyrics and melody… but I really enjoy songwriting.

If I could do a duet with anyone, it would be Brooke Fraser, because she is one of the most amazing artists I have ever heard and her voice is simply amazing. If I was to be able to sing with her, I would die happy.

I want to be remembered as someone who is going to become something – I want to be able to change the way people think through both my music and film. I want to always push myself.

-Ben

Final 8 Week

Choosing songs is really quite difficult. You have to use a mixture of your general knowledge and the internet to come out with a song that you feel confident with. Sometimes the genre makes song selection difficult but you just have to choose the best song possible.
 
Being yourself is the most important thing. If you go through the comp being someone else, you might as well not have auditioned in the first place. But you do always have to be critical of what you do. I feel I have improved in the way that I perform – I think I've been able to increase my outside perspective of myself… but confidence is something I am always working on. 
 
My best moment so far has been getting to play the piano on stage. I auditioned keeping in the back of my mind that I wanted to play at some point, so I am glad I got to achieve that. The worst thing has been being away from home for an extensive amount of time. It's really challenging.
 
I really enjoy the position I am in now but I do want to be able to go back to having my normal life too. I like being a kid, just going to school and that's something that I really miss.
 
I want to do a shout out to my friends – Jackie, Chris, Aleesha, Ella, Ben, Dan, Matt, Kia, Michelle, Nat, Billie and Jordanne and everyone else who I have left out. I'll hopefully get to give you a shout out next time if you remind me!

-Ben

Final 9 Week

Performing at Federation Square was quite an awesome experience. I enjoyed it thoroughly, because there were so many people. It's so good to be here because I've never been to Melbourne before, and to let you in on a little secret… I actually prefer it to Sydney!
 
The best advice I have been given is to stay centred, grounded and balanced. My close friend Christine told me that. I think of a spade from a deck of cards. Every time I see a spade, I am reminded of this advice and I think of it when I perform.
 
Do you know what's been tough? Every single person I speak to asks me to say their name on TV and I can't do that – I would end up leaving people out! I really care about you guys but I can't say all your names on TV! Thank you so much though for supporting me… if I could so your names, I would.
 
I have a lucky charm. My best friend Jackie gave me a four-leaf clover that she found. She has given me little bracelet charms and things with the colour yellow too… I wear a lot of yellow. I don't think of it as good luck in that “I am going to win”… I think of it as whatever is meant to happen, will happen - and I will be on the right path.
 
The most sentimental thing from home I have at Idol HQ is my computer. It has all my photos, fun little games, music… and I can edit short films on it to - that's good practice when I am not doing anything.
 
The comp has definitely changed me already. I meet so many people now, and I find it easier to talk to them. The way I approach people and talk to them has changed. I have grown so much during this whole experience. Everything I see is different now and the way I approach things is different too. After all this is over, I can step out of it and say, “Look how much I have learned from just this small section of my life.”
 
Tonight we're going to Natalie's house for dinner - we're having a huge family thing and she has a piano so we're going to have a singalong! I can't wait. 
 
It was my Mum's birthday the other day so I want to finish by saying Happy Birthday Mum, I love you!

-Ben
 

Final 10 Week

Being out of my comfort zone is peculiar, simply because I haven't experienced nerves since my first audition. It's rare because usually I am placed out of my comfort zone quite frequently when performing, but since I have been on Australian Idol I feel like I have been able to develop a more stable sense of self.
 
I am really used to not being able to sleep in rooms that aren't my own, but I have actually been able to sleep really well in Idol HQ ever since day one. I feel relaxed in that environment, but at the same time I feel really challenged.
 
People have been sending some nice things to me through the net. It's hard for me to reply to all of them, but I really appreciate all the messages.
 
Learning to be in front of the cameras as opposed to being behind them has been a big learning curve for me, but it's making me see a lot more and understand the other side of things, which will make me better understand the actors in my films, LOL!
 
I rely on script writing, art and song writing to keep me sane. It keeps me on my feet and grounded - and makes me feel motivated. I've been working with a tutor while I've been here and it's been good to be able to focus on things other than Idol.
 
I'm really looking forward to Originals night and I hope that I get there. I will be able to show more of myself, and give people a chance to listen to what music I really enjoy writing and listening to.

-Ben

Final 11 Week

This whole experience has been vastly "nerve-otic". Yes – I'm so nervous I'm making up words! But this week I have been relaxing and chilling out. I just got a new Playstation game so I have been playing a lot of that. Also, I thought I saw a ghost in Idol HQ at one point – upstairs in the hallway.

It's not hard having time alone – everyone respects each other's privacy and we're all able to sort things out pretty easily. When I want time alone, I either write songs, do some art or write my script. My script is shaping up to be really exciting. It will be in production after Idol is done. Its working title is ‘Submerged' and NO there are no zombies – I am not a zombie filmmaker! My passion for music has driven me here and I hope that something in that area will come from this – but filmmaking is another passion that I want to focus on and pursue.

There was a lot of discussion about song choice this week. I am really focused on staying true to myself. The judges give you constructive criticism and that's good, but song choice really reflects YOU. Holly made a song choice that she felt comfortable with and I am happy that she did that. I miss her alot because we were starting to get really close. But her leaving made me realise that you need to sing the songs that you want to sing. If they public like it, great. If they don't, then that's OK too. You have to be true to who you are.

It's been great working with Erana, the vocal coach. She's really helping me and she always has great, successful ideas. Erana is the best lady in the world, I love her. She is amazing.

It's weird doing interviews and having my life put out there in the public. Simply because no one but my close friends cared about me before this! Suddenly, all these people are coming out of corners saying they know me. It's weird that people want to know stuff about you, make up stuff about you and assume stuff about you. But you have to take a step back and realise that at the end of the day, it doesn't really mean anything. What people have to say about you shouldn't affect how you perceive yourself because at the end of the day, you're still you – regardless of how much people talk about you and what they say.

-Ben

First week in the Final 12

The best moment so far has been moving into Idol HQ and meeting so many new people. I love being in a musical environment. 

The house is really big and intense. It's exciting that I am able to let my creative energy out - that's a really good stress release. I've started writing a song already…

I'm in a room with Daniel and Carl. They're cool – we're all mates. We're all pretty respectful of each other. Everyone helps each other with any issues they may have and song choices too.

The biggest lesson I've learnt so far has been discipline. In every aspect. I've learnt how to see things in a different way. I'm learning how to see things from other people's perspectives and that I should respect other people even more than I do already. 

The more I progress, the more I am reminded that believing in yourself is a very high priority - and doubting yourself is a thing that everyone does. You have to be able to take a step back and put yourself on hold. The more you start inventing things, the more you will do your head in.

It feels crazy to know I have fans. It freaks me out! But it's all cool and I am happy with it. I hugged this chick recently and she smelled really good – I told her! She actually smelled like one of my friends and it gave me a sense of home and comfort.

The whole journey has been extremely surreal – but you have to be able to centre yourself and at times, that can be really difficult. But I just have to keep telling myself that this is the next stepping stone in my life and it will all turn out good!

-Ben

How does it feel to be in the Final 12?

I was kinda surprised when my name was called out, but I wanted it to happen so much that I could almost see it happening in my head before it actually did in real life. But so far the most exciting thing has been finding out I got into the Top 12 and being along for the ride.

I made a very close relationship with Morgan [Hosking] and I am very upset she couldn't come along any further. She is literally the best singer I have ever heard.

I am just looking forward to hanging out with everyone and I am also actually really looking forward to completing writing a new song – it will be something that will mean so much to me. There will be a grand piano in Idol HQ and that will help the song progress. Hopefully, it will touch others.

I make films too and it's been cool because I have been witnessing a lot of what goes into putting together a TV show.

Whatever the judges say, I will take it and make it into something positive - the underlying message is always one of constructive criticism. I love them all – I love the judges. They always have something good to say and if they have something bad as well, I take it lightly.

I've already been recognised so many times. I was in a restaurant the other day and people came up to me. It's just weird… it's enjoyable but I have to wonder if I am ever going to be the same old Benny. But there's nothing about me that doesn't enjoy it. It just makes me nervous to think I am going to lose my privacy.

Nothing has surprised me so far though – I knew it was going to be like this. I knew it was going to be huge and a big adventure! I'm looking forward to having a go at whatever they throw at us.

-Ben