Wednesday, September 21, 2005
Fans swarm Deer Lake airport as Rex Goudie returns home
By Michael Rigler
DEER LAKE � It was a mob scene at the Deer Lake airport Tuesday as nearly 1,000 adoring fans pressed into the small terminal to welcome home singing sensation Rex Goudie.
The screaming fans and professions of love echoed around the jam-packed airport as the Canadian Idol runner-up stepped through the gate. Before he even made it into the terminal building, airline officials and airport workers crowded around the singer to get autographs and offer their congratulations. In fact, his first attempt to get into the terminal was stymied by the throngs of adoring fans pressing towards the entrance looking for an autograph or a chance to meet the singer in person.
Security guards had to take Goudie back onto the tarmac while a table was set up for autographs away from the arrivals area.
Nineteen-year-old Goudie didn�t disappoint either. The Burlington heartthrob signed everything from shoes and photos, to shirts and babies.
While he admitted the experience has been a bit disorienting, he didn�t mind taking the time to thank his fans.
�These are the people who got me where I am,� Goudie said. �I�ll give whatever I can of myself because people here have been so supportive of me.�
Rumours of a possible record deal with Sony Records have been flying around this week, however, Goudie said he hasn�t made any deals. But he�s sticking to his promise to use his newfound celebrity and admitted he wants to record an album. For now, he�s concentrating on using his celebrity status to raise some money for health care services in his region.
�I�m still planning a fund-raiser to try and buy a dialysis machine for the Baie Verte Peninsula,� Goudie said. �I�ve got so many doors open with this and I want to use it to do some good for my home and the people in the Baie Verte area. �I�m only 19 and I�ve been given this incredible opportunity and while I am glad to be home and to get back to my life a bit, I want to see where I can go with this � you only live once.�
His mother Tana was at the front of the crowd waiting anxiously for her son to arrive home. She said the past few months have been a wild ride for everyone around Rex.
�It will be nice to have him back with us again,� she said. �We didn�t get to see a whole lot of him while he was on the show and I want to get my two sons back (Rex's brother flew into Deer Lake from Voisey�s Bay late Tuesday as well). It�s hard to take in all that�s happened, but I know my boy and I know he�ll do something good with all this.�
While there was no shortage of adoring girls and women in the crowd, his fan base obviously doesn�t end there. Men and women of all ages were on hand.
Twelve-year-old Nikita Roberts didn�t mind missing a bit of school to travel down from Sally's Cove to see her idol. �He�s just one in a million,� she said. �Of course I love his singing and he�s gorgeous. But he�s down to earth and I think that�s what people really love about him.�
The fact he didn't win the television talent competition and the many disgruntled fans who couldn�t phone in their votes for Goudie didn�t seem to matter Tuesday. His charm and talent have won him legions of fans in this province and throughout the country.
Pasadena teenager Laura Robinson tried to explain the groundswell of support that has sprung up for Sexy Rexy.
�Rex is just great,� the 14-year-old said. �I think that most people love him because he�s got to be himself no matter what.�
Back in Goudie�s hometown of Burlington a massive party is being organized. The �Rexcitement� committee is planning a big celebration, but have yet to give a date for the event.
Goudie�s uncle Mark also lives in the town. He said Goudie�s whirlwind ride to fame has had a profound impact on his family as well as the three neighbouring communities of Burlington, Smith�s Harbour and Middle Arm.
�Rex has really brought us together,� Mark Goudie said. �He�s a great kid and all the goings on have really brought us together as a family and the three communities.�
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