Teale
Friday, 7 November 2008 9:44

Week Nine

Hey everyone,

Yet another bullet dodged – I now own the record for the amount of Bottom Three survivals. I think it’s just Australia, but it could be all over the world from the way I’m going! But no matter what happens, I’m proud of what I’ve done.

On a more positive note, I am stoked to be in the Top Four, and thanks everyone so much for keeping me here.

Yesterday I had food poisoning – waa waa! The problem is, yesterday was the day to set our keys and our songs for Sunday, and I obviously could not sing very well. Today I am feeling a lot better - I just finished another workshop and found out I’ve had to change the keys on both of my songs, so yesterday was a big waste of time!

More hard work and pressure on me…. But hey, I’m used to pressure. It wasn’t a very good start to my week, but I’m sure everything will be fine come Sunday.

I’ve chosen a couple of songs this week, and one of them shows what kind of artist I’d like to be outside of Idol – John Mayer. The other is a cool, popular song which is a little bit outside the circle but can still show another side of me in this competition - Justin Timberlake.

So all the boys left, hey? That hasn’t been done since the first year – an all-boy final. I get along with these three guys really well, and I’m glad it’s us in this Top Four, cuz we’ll support each other no matter what happens in this competition.

The Opera House is only a couple of weeks away, and it’s exciting that two of us will be there, still in the competition. Hopefully I’ll be one of them! But that’s up to you guys.

I’m thankful for you voting up till this point. Keep up the good work.

Thanks again, see you in the future,

Teale

Teale
Friday, 31 October 2008 9:30

Week Eight

Hi, it’s Keanu Reeves from The Matrix, bending over backwards and dodging bullets. I feel like I’m dodging trucks and trains, more like. Oh wait, just checked my birth certificate and it says I’m Teale Jakubenko, how you all doing?

Top Five. Thank you so, so much guys and girls for keeping me here and voting for me. Really appreciate it. I know I’m a massive underdog, and probably the favourite to go every week, but it’s you guys that turn that around for me and keep me here, so thank you.

So, we went to Parramatta on the weekend to a shopping centre, thanks to all you guys and girls for coming out and supporting us. It was a pleasure to perform to a big group of smiling faces.

I must say, it’s feeling very weird these days with only five of us left. We keep thinking, ‘Where are the rest of them?’, but then we realize that we’re it!

I know everyone says it but I’m very excited about Michael Jackson week this week. I’m doing a very different version of “Billy Jean” and I hope I do it justice for all you Michael Jackson fans. I must admit, I’m definitely not a mover and shaker like Michael Jackson is, so I’m glad this version that I’m doing doesn’t allow me to do all that jazz. It’s just a song that has a very big vocal, and this is a singing competition, so hopefully I can show you that little bit more of what I can do. And if I get through next week I’ll make sure I do an up-tempo and happy song and have a lot more fun with it.

Very sad to see Roshani go. I think I got along with her the best out of the girls, and I hope she kicks some butt in the real world. No matter what happens now, we’ll all be back at the Opera House in only a few weeks to sing for you once more, and of course I’d still love to be in the competition on that night.

Hopefully you keep voting, and hopefully everyone can get the Teale Feel, and hopefully I’ll see you in the future.

Teale.

Teale
Thursday, 23 October 2008 17:41

Week Seven

Hey dudes and dudettes,

Motown weekend was very stressful for me as I was carrying that throat infection, which really upset me because Motown is sort of my thing, and it was an opportunity for me to kick some butt. Obviously I didn’t enough, because another Bottom Three was headed my way! I still gave it everything I got and had a lot of fun with it, considering. I’m just glad to be here for another week!

Monday night was a massive shock to me – I had a sinking feeling I was going home, more than ever. When I was sent back to the couch first, which has never happened to me, a massive cloud above my head cleared. My suspicions were wrong! I’m still here.

Me and Luke were crapping ourselves on the flight up to Tamworth! He says the plane fell out of the sky for about ten seconds. It was more like two, but they were a very scary two seconds of my life. Probably the worst turbulence I’ve experienced. But we made it safely to Tamworth, and I’m glad we did, because it went off! More people showed up than what I thought. They all went nuts and it made us feel very welcomed and appreciated. Thanks all you guys at Tamworth. We also went to the Ronald McDonald house – it was very fulfilling to put some smiles on some sick kids faces. We got to play a bit of Santa Claus, and hand out some presents at the end of the day, which capped off a great day with them all.

Before I say bye, I just wanna say to all you Queensland voters, who get the show an hour later to keep a close eye on the website, cuz youse haven’t got much time to vote on a Monday night. So you’ll have to do all your voting on Sunday night to be sure – ha ha.

Thanks guys for keeping me here once again, hopefully I’ll be back for y’all next week, and I’ll see you in the future.

Teale.

Teale
Thursday, 16 October 2008 16:24

Week Six

Hey guys,

Thanks for keeping me here again; you must be able to see that I’m enjoying myself and want to stay a bit longer, which is just awesome, so thank you.

Wanna thank everyone who came out to the Knox Shopping Centre in Melbourne last Saturday – it was great to see so many happy faces, and a few familiar faces, and I’m glad I could make some people’s day by signing an autograph and saying g’day. We had to sign at a very fast pace to get through everyone who came along – it was great.

Then we were off to the Nickelodeon Kid’s Choice awards. It was very surreal to know that many kids knew who you were. It was crazy to brush shoulders with Australia’s biggest stars, and overwhelming to be classed amongst them. The highlight of the day was definitely getting slimed – we didn’t expect that much slime to be thrown upon us, and we actually got in trouble for flinging the slime into the crowd - apparently we’re not supposed to do that but no one told us! We had a lotta fun, but it was pretty difficult getting the slime off of everything. We had green hands for a day or two afterwards. Then we caught a quick plane back to Sydney to go to the Sony Charity Ball – we were a little late but it was awesome to see, once again, Australia’s best musicians perform.

I didn’t wanna advertise the fact that I had sort of lost my voice on Sunday, so all day I was stressing about singing for the show. At first I didn’t know what I was gonna do, so I shut my mouth for a few hours before the show, and just got out there and did it. Hopefully it was OK for y’all!

Monday night I definitely thought was my night to leave. I didn’t want to, and I’m glad I didn’t, but it was sad to see Thanh leave. I know I say every week that I’m in the Bottom Three that I need to step it up, but I think this week I need to step it up more than ever, as I need to perform as well as sing. Motown is a genre that demands an energetic, charismatic performance so I’ve got my work cut out for me.

Wish me luck!

Hopefully I’ll see you in the future,

Teale

Teale
Thursday, 9 October 2008 11:20

Week Five

Hello hello, again,

Well. Thank you for not letting me see that Bottom Three this week guys! Much appreciated.

Definitely a lot better to sit on the couch on a Monday night and actually watch the guest band, and enjoy the show. But Monday nights are very sad, and Madam’s a really cool chick, and it was a shame to see her leave. But I was happy with what I did on Sunday, just glad to be myself again.

This week I’m even more stoked, cuz I feel like I’m going to be myself even more. Hopefully I can show more of that growth that the judges are talking about.

I was first up to see the INXS boys yesterday. Soon as I walked in there I felt very at home with them – felt like one of the boys. We got along well, and we had a good laugh. But still we got some work done. They mainly wanted me to find that rock edge to myself, and I believe I can get that job done this weekend. It was an awesome experience to work with them guys.

Sunday night after the show it was really good to catch up with my girlfriend, who I flew down from Brisbane – hi Shanenne, if you’re reading. Also saw a couple of my brothers and my brother’s girlfriend; it was really cool to spend some time with them and feel some of my normal life and surroundings.

Hopefully we can get through another week and I do a good job for the week. Hope you enjoy it!

See ya in the future,

Teale

Teale
Friday, 3 October 2008 10:16

Week Four

Hey all,

So I flirted with the Bottom Two once again. It scares the hell out of me, but thanks for voting, to stop me from going home too soon. When I knew I was in the Bottom Three with Madam and Tom, I thought I was a goner, because I knew the size of Tom and Madam’s fan bases. So it was very much a shock to me to find out I was continuing in the competition. But I have to put last week behind me now - the show must go on.

I’m really looking forward to Abba week this week. At first I wasn’t but now I’ve chosen my song and I’m going to put my own spin on it. I finally get to play guitar and jam with the wicked band! I’m really excited to show something that’s more me this week. I love what I’ve done to the track; I think it’s a style I could fit into in the music industry - who would have thought it’d be to an Abba song!

I enjoyed going to Bondi on our day off. The main reason was because it reminded me of home - the Gold Coast. I found a couple of guys with a football, and I needed to get my hands on it, so we threw it around for half an hour. It was great to have a football in my hands again.

On Tuesday night we went on a ghost tour with a magazine who took photos of us pretending to be scared all dressed up in costume and capes. We were told the stories of murder and other incidents in the Rocks in Sydney. We all had a laugh – none of us really got that scared!

See you in the future,

Teale

Teale Jakubenko
Friday, 26 September 2008 15:45

Week Three

Hey guys,

First of all thank you for voting for me, not to be in the Bottom three this. It was a lotta relief and weight off my shoulders, and it made me feel like I can belong in this competition. Let me tell you about my week!

Working with Cyndi Lauper was an absolute privilege, she’s a really cool chick, and I’ll be using her tips for the rest of my career. People saw a big difference in me after I saw her, but that’s what being around experienced people can do – they help you. I feel I’m getting more comfortable now in this competition and being onstage, and I’m gonna keep growing for you all, and getting better and better.

Working with Darren was cool also; it was mainly a session of him giving me compliments, which was very flattering. He also showed me a couple of cool tricks to loosen up, and we spoke about how we had the same driving instructor back in Brisbane where we both grew up, so that broke the ice! Brisbane represent! It’d be good singing in front of him on Sunday.

Last night we saw Bobby Flynn, who was an absolute creative inspiration to me, and everyone. He is one of the most unique and intelligent human beings I have ever met. He’s really got his head screwed on. Really loved his sound and it made me realise that I can’t wait to get my own band together, and rock a cool venue like the Basement.

Wish me luck this week, and hopefully I’ll be here blogging for you next week.

Peace out, see you in the future,

Teale

Teale Jakubenko
Friday, 19 September 2008 14:53

Week Two

Hey all,

I wanna say that I really wanted to stay true to myself by choosing that Rick Price song. I know it’s not as popular as some songs that are going round these days, but I didn’t want to lie to you all about who my idol was, so that’s why I chose it.

I was fairly happy with my actual performance but I know I can do a lot better. Being in the Bottom Three for the verdict show was a massive wakeup call to step it up. It just makes me want it even more now.

When Kyle said it was a bit of a dodgy song choice, I sort of expected I’d get a reaction like that. But I knew I should take the risk to show you all who I grew up listening to – so I promise I will make the right decisions from now on.

I felt very numb when I found out I was in the Bottom Three, but still had faith in myself that I would get through. It is what it is, and I would have been happy either way, as what’s meant to be is meant to be.

Being noticed is definitely overwhelming, and I feel it still hasn’t sunk in that people know me. It’s definitely a great feeling when you see people in the street who say “Well done”, and that they love what you do on the show. That’s what it’s all about – to make a difference in people’s lives.

I feel my ‘80s song choice was a song that stood out for me as I love the song and I felt like I could connect to it lyrically and emotionally. Hopefully I can do the song justice, and hopefully you will enjoy it! It’s time for me to step up and show my growth to you all. I’m feeling more comfortable now, so I can show you who I am and what I can do.

Thank you everyone for voting for me, and hopefully you can continue to do so. Till next time, see you in the future,

Teale.

Teale Jakubenko
Thursday, 11 September 2008 21:58

Week One

Hey everyone,

Welcome to my blog. I’ll be catching up with you here every week, and letting you know what’s going on in my life.

Today we are having a vocal workshop with Erina, which is good for me as I haven’t had lessons in the past - every bit of good advice helps. Before this blog, I had to sign lots of bags for fans that they can win through this website, so that was fun. Signing all those bags was the first taste I’ve had of working my wrist with a pen. Luckily I only have to sign my first name, cuz if I had to do my last name, I’d be here 10 times longer and the ink would have run out!

Having lots of fun at the moment being around such good people. The idea of living with them all was a bit daunting at first, but we’re settling in now. Glad I’m roomed with Mr. Thanh Bui – he’s a very private man and likes his space, like me. Thankfully, I get along with him very well. Also Sam, the house manager, is very easy to get along with and is very good at what he does, for example cooking and organizing us and getting us out of bed. The house is a pretty cool set-up where you can still have your space, but there’s a room where everyone can get together and chat. A technician’s coming today to get the music room happening so we can really get into jam mode – we need every chance we can get to rehearse our stuff as we don’t have much time to do that.

I’m looking forward to this week’s Final 12 performances, and really looking forward to showing people who my idol is and who I grew up listening to. It’s great that I’m in contact with him, and he’s going to be watching me, which is an extra little buzz for me.

I’ve made great friends at every stage in the competition, and it’s been sad to lose friends from the Top 100 to Top 24 and from the Top 24 to Final 12. It makes me extra grateful for being allowed into the Final 12. I’m really looking forward to showing you guys what I can do vocally, as I feel I haven’t been able to control the nerves yet and perform to the best of my ability.

This experience is very time consuming, obviously, but it’s what every musician wants to be - busy in this industry. Obviously I’m missing all my loved ones, so I wanna say hi to Shanenne, and my parents and brothers, and everyone else that has supported me so far – hopefully you continue to do so.

Thanks for taking an interest in me - hopefully I don’t disappoint you and stay alive in this competition so you can see a lot more of me! Don’t worry; I’ll fill you in on everything interesting – within reason of course!

See ya in the future, and many thanks,

Teale.

 

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