Stan Walker 'can't leave home'
BY TRACEY BOND
JOHN SELKIRK/Fairfax Media
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Australian Idol winner Stan Walker says he hasn't been able to leave the house since winning the singing competition.
"I don't go nowhere now, I'm just stuck at home, " the Australian-born, Kiwi-raised singer told Stuff.co.nz.
Despite knowing what he was getting into when he joined up for the show, Walker said he didn't always enjoy the attention he received as a result of his win several weeks ago.
"It takes a lot out of you. I hate all the, 'Oh you're famous' (stuff) because I just want to be normal but that's not going to happen anymore." Walker admitted.
"I just love singing, I love meeting people, I love learning things. The only thing is that it comes with being bombarded with fans. "
The 19-year-old, who cites Luther Vandross, Alicia Keys and John Legend as his idols, said he tried not to pay any attention to the judge's comments during the show.
"Whether it's good or bad it's going to get to your head. So, you don't listen. You just keep your head and focus on the goal and work hard at doing it."
Hard work is something of a mantra for the Maori boy who grew up in Tauranga.
He was quick to dismiss the famed Idol Curse, which has seen many winners of both Australian and US Idol competitions fail to make an impact on the charts
"It's about how hard you work, it's how much you want it and what you are willing to do," he said.
"People wrote to me and said, 'I hope you don't win, you'll do much better if you don't win.' But it's about the person, it's about how much you're going to put in."
Apart from getting a recording contract and releasing an album, he has also become an ambassador for the Sony Foundation.
This enables him to be a role model for troubled youths, something he is passionate about.
"People need to look beyond what they see; there's always an explanation for why people are like they are."
"It's not about how many times we stuff up and fail, because I stuff up every day. It's about how many times we get back up and keep going forward."
- © Fairfax NZ News
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stan walker your so awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kia ora Stan, During the Idol Competition you represented yourself, your whanau and Maori in general with dignity, humility and gave an insight of how one's dream can be achieved, awesome. PAIGE who is 5 and a fan came to see you at The Warehouse in Porirua but wasn't able to get your autograph on her pink bag. She cried but we thought about taking her to your Taupo concert and maybe she'll be lucky this time. You mentioned combining old soul music to what's out there today check out great blues singer my fav BBKing for the feel of soul music. Check out Lauren Hill's website powerful stuff an awesome young singer, what she has to say about the music producers and there expectations of the big$ returns, it's interesting. You're an awesome young man, great feel for music, listen to those notes in your head eh! Arohanui Paige & Aunteena.
Stan, Your voice is just no words to explain and i know how you feel with all the attention. God has always had his eye on you. Yes he cameto you and brought you eternity. Would be More amazing then anything just to sing with you Let alone to hear you sing live!. much aroha to you. Go hard Now All kids look up to you! i sure know that your my idol!
God bless..
Stan,u have the most amazing voice ever,u sing with very deep emotions and meaning.I wish u well in your music career and take care of that hot voice.To you and all your Whanau all the best for the festive season God Bless u all.
Well Stan what a ride - I watched you every week and cryed nearly every song - your voice sings straight to ones soul - the whole body feels it. I am a fellow New Zealander and prayed for you every week, although we couldn't vote I put it out there to the universe.
I have a son a similar age of Maori decent as well as my european, and he looks so like you and together with your little funny giggles and actions remind me of him too.
Your are a true gift and like Michael Bublee said yours is a voice that is a once in a life time gift - now you can use it to its full potential for your life purpose.
You go man you are awsome - I cant wait for the next album.
Much love and Aroha
Caro
OMG... i love you... your the best... i wanna meet you... i live in binnaway... come marry me... ily...xx
hi stan, i new where the winner from the moment i seen you on your audition,gettin to the point anyway ive told my partner the whole of the idol i would love if you could sing at our wedding if somehow u read this plz get in contact with us plzzzzzzzzzz
Yeh I know what you mean about going out in public, im not even famous and I hate banging into people, especially in the supermarket. I feel like I always have to get dressed up. I have thought of diguises. Maybe an older lady, or a rastafarian. Any way your the bomb, kia kaha
you rock the world with your beautiful vocie stan. i luf you as 1 ov the broz. you rocked purple rain . bye mwa xoxox
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YOUR ARE THE MAN! i love you voice and everything about you! i knew that you would win wen i first heard youu!
ilyyBRO!