Nose surgery for Idol star

Going under the knife is the ultimate in artistic sacrifice and NZ Idol finalist Robin Johnson has done just that in the hope of bolstering his career.

Before recording his first single, the Hutt heart throb underwent an operation to straighten his inner nasal passage - so he could sound his absolute best.

"I found when I was singing in my upper range it resonated," he said.

"You couldn't really hear it, but I could feel it and it affected my mental concentration as well."

The 45-minute operation, performed under general anaesthetic, was covered by his mum's health insurance.

The Top 10 finalist from the programme has also had vocal training.

"I'd been watching some of the old Idol footage and I thought I could do better so I went and got speech and language therapy."

After six months in Auckland, Johnson returned to live with his mother in Upper Hutt in August.

"I still get stopped and asked to do autographs and that sort of thing. It keeps me grounded and it's nice to know there are people out there who are still rooting for me."

The 19-year-old is in the middle of recording his single "Make the Call" at Matrix studios in Wellington.

- NZPA