Rotorua local Frank Andrews knew he was going to be NZ Idol's next casualty long before his name was read out.
The 20-year-old fishing rod maker was the first male voted out last week, despite praise for his performance of Marques Houston's That Girl.
But it was not because he
lacked the talent or the moves. His big mistake was being too cocky.
"I just had a feeling I was going home. I had done too little, too late. I was coming across as too arrogant on television. I let the fame hit me and milked it too much."
After all, swapping the karaoke bars of Rotorua for the studios at TVNZ was a "pretty crazy ride". And as he chain-smokes on the roof of the TVNZ headquarters - he claims smoking helps his voice - Frank says he has learnt from his mistakes.
"I've done a few bad things, been too cocky. But you've got to do a few bad things to know what's wrong and what's right."
A rhythm and blues lover who lists his family as his idols and Boyz II Men and Stevie Wonder among his musical inspirations, Frank spent the night after his elimination "pimping" - hanging out - in the Idol house. His pick for the ultimate Idol winner is a toss-up between religious rocker Jesse O'Brien and soul-bird Rosita Vai.
With his confidence still intact, Frank is now set on making the most of his new-found fame. A former regular at Rotorua karaoke venue Bar 3, he hopes the days of being known as the "karaoke kid" are over.
"I'm going to find someone to take me under his wing, and then I'm going to produce New Zealand's first true R&B album. I'm just so eager and I'm so wanting it," he says.
Frank admits he was not always very motivated, and credits the Idol experience with making him realise success involves a lot of hard work.
"I always wanted my music out, but when I was just a young boy, I didn't want it enough. I just thought it would come to me. It kind of did, I guess, but now I've realised you have to strive for it. ... you have to get off your butt and do it," he says.
- HERALD ON SUNDAY
