Lana Krost

Lana Krost
  • Favourite Season: 2006
  • Favourite Colour: Red
  • Favourite Album: Brooke Fraser's & Missy Higgins'
  • Star Sign: Pisces
  • When did you start to sing: Four years old
  • Can't Live Without: My brother
  • Music Idols: Jewel
  • First Job: Boost Juice

About Lana Krost

Lana discovered her passion for performing at the tender age of six when she took to the school stage. The passion grew into an interest in musical theatre, with Lana appearing in several productions in her native Western Australia. The talent must be genetic: her Vietnamese mother was an opera singer and the original lead in Miss Saigon.

17-year-old Lana confesses she has never been as scared in her life as she was at her Australian Idol audition. "I was shaking and the feeling of being watched all the time was intimidating," she says. But the nerves paid off and she was soon the only WA contestant left standing in the Top 24.

While the judges were harsh following her semi-finals performance of Fergie's "Big Girls Don't Cry", Australian fell in love with her natural charm, beauty and voice, sending her straight through to the top 12.

"It feel weird," Lana says of getting through. "I didn't expect it at all."A big fan of folk pop star Jewel, Lana avoids sport and loves McDonalds.

Aside from performing for the nation, she says the best thing about Idol has been getting to know the other performers.

Q&A with Lana

Q: I first realised I wanted to become a professional singer when… 

I first performed on stage when I was at a performing school at the age of six.    

Q: What is your favourite genre of music?

Pop/Folk songs - because they suit my voice.     

Q: Which previous finalist do you find most inspiring and why?

Reigan. 'Cause she was herself and had a big personality.    

Q: Have you auditioned for a previous series of Australian Idol? If so, how far did you progress? What motivated you to audition this year?

No.      

Q: Describe your feeling at your first audition?

Never been so scared in my life. I was shaking and the feeling of being watched all the time was intimidating.    

Q: Obviously, it's important to have a strong voice, but what other aspects give a performer 'star quality'?

How they connect to the audience. The purpose of performing is to make the audience feel something and connect with the song.      

Q: Idol shows often follow a special theme like Disco, Rock or Big Band. What would your 'dream theme' be and why?

Big Band. Because it would be a huge experience.    

Q: What would you call your debut album?

Self-titled.    

Q: Why do you think Australian Idol is an important part of our local music industry?

Because it acts as a stepping stone for people who are just beginning their career or for those at the end of it.    

Q: Which artist (dead or alive) would you most like to perform a duet with and why?

Jewel. Because she struggled to become who she is and I admire her determination. Plus her music inspires people.    

Q: What's the best thing about being on Australian Idol?

Being exposed to the talent and meeting new and fantastic people.      

Q: Who is your favourite judge and why?

All of them!   

Q: How do you prepare yourself before a performance?

 I faint!!    

Q: What's the best bit of advice someone has given to you?

Live for the day.    

Q: If you win, who would you thank first?

My family and friends.