Jess Clennett, Hobart singer on Australian Idol revival
The young Hobart singer’s stint on the talent show has come to an end, but in the eyes of the community Jess is an idol. Find out why >
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She crashed out of Australian Idol after a rollercoaster week, but Tassie singer Jess Clennett is still upbeat thanks to a chorus of support from her home state.
Singing alongside country music kings The Wolfe Brothers to celebrate Wrest Point’s 50th anniversary over the weekend, the 25-year-old was still on a high.
”It’s really nice, I’ve had heaps of people come up and take photos with me. It’s unreal,” she said.
“The best part for me personally is that I’ve had a lot of younger girls saying they look up to me. Kids choosing to look up to me, that’s incredible, it’s really special.”
The Hobart singer was overwhelmed by a flood of local support after her audition episode debuted last week.
She made it through the first round of the talent-scouting reality TV show but was then eliminated after a lacklustre performance in the group round.
But Clennett was still buzzing after meeting guest judge and Australian pop legend Marcia Hines in last night’s episode.
She said the 69-year-old singer – who was “very cool” and “friendly to talk to” – offered the up-and-coming stars advice around their performances.
“Her main points for me and everyone was about putting on a show and stage performance, so that was really cool to get that feedback,” she said
Whole Lotta Love for Tassie talent with golden ticket
Blowing all four judges out of the water with her rendition of a Led Zeppelin classic, Tassie talent Jess Clennett, 25, successfully made her way through to the Top 50 contestants in Australian Idol, and Tassie is behind her all the way.
“My Facebook is full of everyone being so beautiful and supportive and sending me messages,” the young singer said.
The local community has also thrown their support behind Miss Clennet on social media. One user commented that she was moved to tears by the performance.
“I always said if there were any justice, Mike [Miss Clennett’s late father] would be singing to stadiums not pubs. Tassie is right behind you Jess, go nail it!” the comment read.
Glowing reviews from all four judges saw Miss Clennett earn her golden ticket to the next round, which she remembers being surprised about.
“I remember feeling very shocked and overwhelmed with happiness,” Miss Clennetts said, recalling the day.
Emotions were running high in the lead up to Miss Clennett’s audition. In the episode she revealed to the judges that the date coincided with the anniversary of her father’s death.
“My Dad was a great performer, an amazing singer and guitarist,” she told the crew before tearing up.
“I think he’d be really proud I’m here today.”
Upon entering the room and introducing herself the judges noted Miss Clennett seemed nervous prompting DJ and shock jock Kyle Sandilands to offer her some words of wisdom.
“Dig deep, don’t worry about anything,” he said.
Channelling the powerful, grungy sound of the English rock band she was covering, Miss Clennett’s incredible rendition of Whole Lotta Love took the judges by surprise.
“I’m going to kick this off with, that was really really great. It’s almost like you go into a new world,” Aussie musician and judge Amy Shark said.
Popstar and fellow judge Meghan Trainor agreed with Shark, saying she was “so worried” about Miss Clennet’s nerves, but those worries quickly dissipated when she started to sing.
“What I really love about you is that you don’t sound like anybody I’ve ever heard before.
You sound like Jessica, like, superstar stuff,” she said.
Miss Clennet even managed to impress the often cynical Sandilands.
“You did go to a different place and I was right there with you,” he said.
“I thought it was pretty bloody good.”
She watched the episode with family and friends and spent the night celebrating the massive achievement.
Miss Clennett will appear in Monday night’s episode alongside guest judge Marcia Hines and has a live performance coming up at Wrest Point Casino as part of the duo Jess and Sean.
Spotlight on Tassie talent in Australian Idol revival
She’s about to enter the hearts and homes of Australian Idol fans across the country — meet Jess Clennett, the young Hobart singer who hopes to make it all the way.
Miss Clennett, 25, who said she has “grown up doing music and singing” and has a “music oriented” family was approached by the show and asked to audition.
After a selection process which consisted of Zoom interviews and virtual auditions Miss Clennett made it through to the iconic room responsible for jumpstarting the career of many Australian artists.
With industry icons Harry Connick Jr, Meghan Trainor, Kyle Sandilands and Amy Shark sat before her she said she the experience was “quite overwhelming”.
“When I entered that room I had a wash of stage fright come over me,” she said.
The date of the audition coincided with the anniversary of Miss Clennett’s father’s death four years ago, which she said added to the heightened emotions of the experience.
“I was sad, I was excited, I was nervous but it was kind of nice because it’s what he used to do so it was more of a push to get through the day,” she said.
Miss Clennett who also plays in a two piece duo and band, Kick Ons, said she’s excited to be part of the show and hopes the opportunity helps open doors for her and ultimately leads her to pursuing her passion.
The talent search TV series has returned to Australian screens after a 14-year hiatus, with Miss Clennett’s episode set to air this week.
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