Chanel Cole

Chanel Cole (born Chanel Cole Whalley on 13 November 1977 in Hamilton, New Zealand) is a musician from Bega, New South Wales. Her fame grew largely from her appearance as a finalist in the second series of Australian Idol (2004). She was eliminated from the competition on 25 October having reached fifth place, despite her stubborn refusal to be moulded or play for votes. Her quirky song choices and unique, jazz-influenced vocal style was a far cry from the traditionally inauthentic and melismic Idol contestant. This distinction, along with her individuality, quick comebacks and off-beat sense of humour, won her a loyal, cult following of fans, who for the most part did not fit into the program's target audience of female teenagers. Cole's eccentric hair accessories, which often included feathers, flowers and other ornaments , also added to her notoriety.

Australian Idol

Chanel intially auditioned in Canberra but was not put through. Dressing in what she now calls "an exaggerated version of herself", Chanel managed to get through to the judges, Mark Holden, Marcia Hines and Ian "Dicko" Dickson, on her second attempt in Sydney. She performed a humourous rendition of the jazz gem, When I Get Low, I Get High, which provoked a standing ovation from Dicko.

Related Topics:
Mark Holden - Marcia Hines

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Performances

• Audition - When I Get Low, I Get High, originally performed by Ella Fitzgerald.
• Solo Heat - Alcoba Azul, originally performed by Lila Downs.
• Group Heat - Anyone Who Had A Heart, originally performed by Dionne Warwick.
• Top 30 Selection Heat - Pretty Boy, originally performed by Roy Orbison.
• Top 30 Performance - Glory Box, originally performed by Portishead.
• Australian Made - Green Limousine, originally performed by The Badloves.
• Pop - History Repeating, originally performed by Propellerheads/Shirley Bassey.
• The 60's - Walk On By, originally performed by Dionne Warwick.
• Disco - Never Can Say Goodbye, originally performed by Jackson 5/Gloria Gaynor.
• Contestant's Choice - Constant Craving, originally performed by k.d. lang.
• The Beatles - Across The Universe, originally performed by The Beatles.
• The 80's - Stop!, originally performed by Sam Brown.
• Up Close & Personal - A Case Of You, originally performed by Joni Mitchell.
• R'n'B/Soul - Hit 'Em Up Style , originally performed by Blu Cantrell.

Had Chanel continued in the compitition, she would have performed "Give A Little, Get A Little" and "The Man I Love" for Big Band night, "Blue" and "Benny & The Jets" on 70's night and "Teardrop" and "The First Taste" in the final round.

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Australian Idol Tour

Colestock 2005

On 26 March, hundreds of fans traveled to Chanel's hometown in Bega for a private concert and gathering on Easter. Colestock 2005 was a joint collaboration by the Chanel Cole Official Fan Club and Bega On The Go, with profits from ticket sales going to help the Bega Hospital. The event was proudly sponsored by Bega On The Go, Fletchers Fotographics, Bega RSL, Magpie Music, Power FM, Radio 2EC, Bega District News and the Chanel Cole Official Fan Club.

Related Topics:
Easter - RSL

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An art exhibition was held in the Bega Town Hall featuring abstract photography and various artworks by Cole and other notable members of the Bega Valley Shire art community. Later in the night, VIP ticket holders were treated to dinner and a karaoke competition, "Valley Idol", with guests Chanel Cole and Daniel Belle judging the winner. The next night on 27 March, a "truly magical" private concert was held in the theatre section of the Bega RSL. Two local artists, Chelsea Beadman and The Whirled, along with Cole's lover, Daniel Belle, opened the show. Chanel briefly appeared on stage and provided guest vocals on three of The Whirled's songs: "Kick", "Everywhere I Go" and "Get Go". The main set featured Cole, accompanied by a variety of local musicians.

Related Topics:
RSL - Daniel Belle

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• God Bless The Child, originally performed by Billie Holliday.
• River, originally performed by Joni Mitchell.
• Dream A Little Dream, originally performed by Joni Mitchell.
• Summertime, originally performed by Joni Mitchell.
• Close To You, originally performed by Dionne Warwick.
• Glory Box, originally performed by Portishead.
• Across The Universe, originally performed by The Beatles.
• Teardrop, originally performed by Massive Attack.
• Sway, featuring Daniel Belle, originally performed by Joni Mitchell.
• I Heard It Through The Grapevine, featuring Daniel Belle, originally performed by Joni Mitchell.
• Venus, originally performed by Joni Mitchell.

Chanel ended the set with five original songs with very minimal instrumentation. On "The Real World" and "Shallow", she was accompanied by Peter Wilde on acoustic guitar, while on "Cracked But Intact", "Counting The Costs" and "Snakes & Ladders", she played the piano while Hendrik De Vries accompanied her on the viola.

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• The Real World
• Shallow
• Cracked But Intact
• Counting The Costs
• Snakes & Ladders

These five tracks were recorded and are being released as an official bootleg through Chanelcole.cc as soon as 70 copies of the EP are paid for.

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