GenQ - For the not so straight individual

Although they have all had varying levels of success, past Australian Idol winners Guy Sebastian, Casey Donovan, Kate DeAraugo, and Damien Leith have all had one thing in common; their winner’s single has debuted at number one. Latest winner Natalie Gauci cannot join that group, with her debut single Here I Am failing to debut at the top of the charts.

Despite steadily climbing the charts throughout the week, Here I Am has debuted at number two on the charts which come into effect from Monday, behind Apologize by Timbaland (featuring OneRepublic).

Although the single was the highest selling of the week in physical sales, Gauci only managed a number three debut on the Digital Track Chart; a music chart that has never been kind to Australian Idol winners. With the volume of digital purchasing increasing by the year, merged sales have seen Here I Am enter at number two.

The main factor thought to have contributed to Here I Am’s failure to debut at number one was the release of the physical single on Wednesday, meaning just three days of sales contributed to its charting debut.

The surprise non chart topping debut by Gauci has capped off a lacklustre year for Australian Idol in 2007, with the series continuing to receive negative and scandalous publicity throughout its duration, along with a significant decline in viewers during last Sunday’s finale, managing a peak of just 1.78 million in metro areas. Despite lower levels of success, Australian Idol will be returning to Network Ten in 2008 for its sixth season.