by Joel Maxwell
quote in part
A few days and about 80 interviews later Matt was still coming to terms with victory and releasing his own single.
'I fell like the Grand Final is still last night" he said.
And his message to Horowhenua Fans who won him through to that final was simple. "Horowhenua was where the heart was beating for the Matt vote. "I cant thank them enough."
Matt won $50,000 a new Car and a recording contract which will give his young family a financial boost.
But becoming a nationwide celebrity also made the former Levin garage builder a target for gossip and rumor.During the show newspapers and an Idol blog, an internet site, ran stories about personal problems and relationships in the idol house involving Matt.
He philosophical about the price of becoming a celeb despite having heard alot of what has been said and written about him.
Is gossip hurtfull? "yeah,it can be -but you know it's not true so you just have to let it go and move past it."
Matt said part of the Idol experience involved training for dealing with media and the pressures of fame.
He was also familiar with the fleeting nature of the news industry.
"Todays papers are tomorrow's fish &chip wrappers". he saidWhen his publicity work has slowed he hopes to have a break then start working on the new album that was part of his prize. The as-yet unamed album is set for release before Christmas.
Matt also plans to use his prize money to buy a new house for his family and partner Lisa Mckenzie and his young son Harlyn.
He said he would love that house to be in Levin but pointed out his music career could get in the way -all his gigs so far are booked in Auckland.As for his new Car he said he would sell that too and put the cash towards the house. He said he never owned a Car before in his life and he said he probably didnt need to start with a new $40,000 sports utility vehicle
Just reading in a Womans Day that Matt said he'd decided to stay in Levin because it's a great place to bring up kids - as opposed to Auckland! Now he's talking about moving back to Auckland! So singing ambitions coming first now!
Rosita's moved away from Auckland to Wellington to continue doing what she wants to!
pratically the best without boasting
Honestly Matt will be better off in Aucks with all the Gigs, events etc. Plus Aucks got way more to do then here, thats for sure Lol
Thanks chevy.
Like the bit about the internet site and the talking about personal problems and relationships.:) Glad we're been noticed!
Get all opinions here. Being in the public eye is going to bring that and at least he knows all about how it can be already. Hopefully will make him more careful and responsible in the future.
That's the first I've heard that an album was part of the prize.
"Unlike previous years, Saunoa was not awarded a contract to record a full album."
NZ Herald - today.
Odd. He must be telling the local press different stories..
Yes I seen that as i was typing it out. That was from outta left-field, even i didnt know about that.
If it is true, then they havnt got very much time as Christmas is fastly approaching. The best time to have a new Album stocked on the shelf ready to go as people have got a lotta $ in their pockets looking for something to buy ;) Very timely!
Hmmm - 'part of his prize' - first we've heard then!
Funny this time, how we keep hearing one thing then another!
"Matt also plans to use his prize money to buy a new house for his family and partner Lisa Mckenzie and his young son Harlyn.He said he would love that house to be in Levin but pointed out his music career could get in the way -all his gigs so far are booked in Auckland"
good one couzz you do what ever you like with ur money. going by other Idols who have faded away, is spending money on an Album a wise thing to do now days? No!
Matt's so use to Levin houses that cost $180k. When he goes to buy a house in Aucks he's gonna get a shock wen they start at $350k in an alright area.
Wow he's fully booked up with gigs in Aucks and possibly overseas Concerts too going by More FM
Certainly will be a BIG difference! He'll need to sell the car too!
Unusual for a guy not to have had a car.
Fully booked now, but what about in 6 months time when all the Idol winning has been forgotten. Will he continue to get bookings. Overseas, well, wonder where that is. Mind you, both Ben & Rosita have sung in the Pacific Islands.
Oh well, good start, at least he's looking to the future.
Gosh, someone's dedicated to making a decent career for themselves. :S
Indira wouldn't be doing that with the money. :@
"damned if you do, damned if you dont"
No matter what decision he wouldve made someone would of pulled him down iether way.
Cant please everyone
yes.. I'd just like to congratulate all the fans that voted for him.
It's not gossip if SPP confirms it.
*sigh*
But we're not even sure SPP ACTUALLY confirmed it.
Lol! why do they never put Idol and blog together? beats me.
I don't really know what to make of all this. So he's selling his prize, and using the combined money to buy a house? What happened to making a real stab at making it in the music biz? There is no album included in the prize, so how is he going to finance it?
I was thinking exactly the same thing, Spazz :| I mean, I thought the money was to give them a start in the music industry ... or was I just naive and totally missing the point of the whole "competition" from the beginning?!!
yeah i seen that as i was typing it all out :O
i'll giv him $500 for the Daicrapshu to use in the demoilition darby
looks like Matt's "leaving old Duram town" lmao! oh well, we had our 2 weeks of fame. bi bi bro's