You might think that after Australian Idol pitched Damien "Scary Falsetto" Leith into the world of rapturous RSL audiences, morning television appearances and hilariously earnest mega-selling covers records (an inspiration, no doubt, to warbling AFL stud Russell Robertson), he would have nothing but positive spin to feed this year's bunch of wide-eyed hopefuls. How refreshing then (well, relatively speaking) to see the snaggle-toothed Oirishman telling it like it is to the Class of Spargo (and the rest of them):

"It's been two of the most gruelling years of my life," he said.

 

"A lot of people say Idol is the easy way but I did the independent route about 10 years ago and got signed in America and I have to say this is equally hard work.

"You're up and the only way to go is down, but I'm very grateful."

I like the way he worked in a little "how good am I?" moment by casually mentioning he'd been "signed in America" - though to exactly what he was signed remains unclear. A record label? A cleaning business contract? The FedEx man's clipboard? His bail forms??

Tags: au | australian idol 2008 | damien leith