'Australian Idol' evictee Paulini Curuenavuli graciously accepts both my congratulations for making it to the top four, and commiserations for being undeservedly voted out so close to the end. "A lot of the time it's been kind of, 'Oh, I can't believe it, you're out of the competition', but that's just how it goes."

20 year old Fijian born Curuenavuli, who, like fellow other finalists (Cosima De Vito, who has since withdrawn, Shannon Noll and South Australian sensation Guy Sebastian), has accelerated straight to the front of the line to attain instant recognition by her first name alone, is an absolute delight to chat with. Her answers were mostly short and, although guarded, often very pointed - although regularly ending her sentences with an infectiously cute and sincere laugh. She makes no bones about how the 'Australian Idol' juggernaut has decidedly changed her life forever, chiefly for the better.

"Well there's the advantages and disadvantages," she reasons. "It's a good thing because it's now less stressful: I don't have to think about too many things at the one time like what to sing next or what I'm going to wear, or what's going to happen next. And the disadvantage is not getting a record deal a little quicker than normal."

But those who have seen Curuenavuli perform would likely agree that with natural talent like hers it won't be long before a deal comes beckoning her way. "Definitely," she agrees. "You know, the show's given me so much exposure that the foundations are now there and now I just have to work at it more."

Not only did the 'AI' kids have to sing well and look good each week to maintain their position on Australia's most prestigious talent show to date, they also had to survive rigorous daily schedules that included rehearsals, charity appearances and promotional duties, as well as learning to deal with growing fan adoration and constant public scrutiny. And starting with twelve complete strangers, the finalists had to all live in the same house at a secret location. "We didn't expect it to be that full on at all. Every day was a busy day for us but it was getting us ready for what was to come. I think some of them couldn't handle it but I was one who did. I thought all that was great!"

A couple of weeks before Paulini was eventually ousted she found herself on the short list to step aside, prompting one of the judges, Marcia Hines, to make the unexpectedly sharp remark at the time that she was "hoping that people were voting for the music." Read: That she hoped that the show's main demographic (ie: young, female) weren't just voting for the good looking males. "I thought it was a very smart comment to make," Curuenavuli nods. "I think it is all about talent and the vocals, and nothing else. Image is not supposed to have anything to do with it at all. But yeah, I was really happy with that comment she made."

Paulini's musical inspirations include Elton John, Whitney Houston and Stevie Wonder, and this has certainly been evidenced through the maturity and diversity she showed in performance, and her disdain towards today's so-called R'n'B artists and their modelled images.

"I am a huge fan of R'n'B, but not that pop scene thing that's just been happening lately. At some point over this whole thing I started thinking that was the look that they were looking for, you know? And I still kind of think that now, because every artist just kind of looks the same."

Allowing herself into this competition, wasn't she then risking becoming just that? "Yeah, I think so. Of course they'd want to make a few changes with you and all that, but... um, does that makes sense?"

Yes it does, especially when all throughout our interview Curuenavuli was quick to can many of the show's so-called good intentions, but even quicker to defend them with a balanced understanding well beyond her young age, as well as much praise for everyone involved with its making.

But who does she think is going to win? "I think Shannon's going to win it... but I'm hoping Guy will."

Steve Jones

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