Australian Idol 6 Group 1 - Meet Nicole Banks

* Favourite Aust Idol Season: 2007
* Favourite Movie: Zoolander
* Favourite TV Show: Sex and the City
* Favourite Food: Dads veggie lasagne
* Favourite Colour : Red
* Eye Colour: Blue
* Your Height: Short
* Your current ringtone: Wild Strawberry’s PNAU

Favourite Album Getaway Plan – City Meets Sea
Favourite place to travel Narooma – Grandparents live up there
What star-sign are you Gemini
When did you first start to sing? Age 5
What can’t you live without My phone!!!
Are you Superstitious Some days
Who are your musical idols Jewel, Ella Fitzgerald, Cole Porter
First job Noodle Hub!



Please complete this sentence: ‘I first realised I wanted to become a professional singer when…’ I was 5. I got up at a Deb ball and sung “Twinkle, Twinkle” with the band! Every day singe then I’ve wanted to be known for music and performing. I love it!

What is your favourite song? Please tell us why you love that particular song.
‘Cry Me a River’ sung by Ella Fitzgerald. I sung this song as part of my VCE exam last year and instantly fell in love with the story, the rhythms, the emotion and the feeling I get from singing it. It’s an amazing jazz number.

Which previous finalist do you find most inspiring and why?
Carl Riseley. He has a beautiful jazzy soulful sound to his voice and throughout the competition he stayed true to himself and what he loves.

Describe your feelings at your first audition.
Overwhelmed and gut wrenchingly nervous. After watching the show for 5 years to see the judged face to face and sing for them was so scary. It’s hard to describe.

Obviously, it’s important to have a strong voice, but what other aspects give a performer ‘star quality’? Please explain your answer.
I feel as a performer you have to be able to capture the audience’s attention and hold it for the few minutes you have it. It’s really hard to do but there is no better feeling.

What would you call your debut single?
Nothing but Red!

Why do you think Australian Idol is an important part of our local music industry?
Australian Idol is a helping hand for any musician. It is a not so gentle push in the direction you dream of going. It is so important as it’s a chance in a life time.

Which artist (dead or alive) would you most like to perform a duet with and why?
Eva Cassidy. She is an amazing singer, woman and performer. Her arrangements are sometimes more memorable to me than the originals. She’s just someone to truly admire.

What’s the best thing about being on Australian Idol?
The once in a life time experiences that come along with it. Photo shoots, working with amazing musicians and crew and just meeting talented people that share the same passion as you.

Who is your favourite judge and why?
I don’t think I have a favourite judge. I love them all for different reasons. They all give amazing advice and make you push yourself to enable you to perform at your best. But I’m a big fan of Dicko!

Please complete this sentence: The one thing I want Australia to know about me is…
That I’m not just a musical theatre girl. I love all music and I can’t wait to expose more areas that I’ve never been to before

What’s the best piece of advice someone has given you?
Just recently actually my brother sent me a message only minutes before I performed round three for the judges. The message was ‘You can do it Nicole, just stay strong we believe in you…’ I love him.

heres her audition video