webchat

This is a transcript of an webchat Nicki and Korben did on the official Pop Idol website!
From biscuit: Nicki, do you see the pop idol as a boy or a girl?
Nicki: Either , it's down to the general public; so I don't mind, either.
From Vicky-Jai: Hey Korben! What do you think will come next in your quest to become a Pop Idol?
Korben: It's too early for me to say, I've never done anything this big before, so I can't say.
From PopIdolFan: Korben was really good he must feel gutted to be out?
Korben: I certainly am gutted to be out; probably use the word devastated actually.
From Pop_Idol_Fan: Korben, are you going to just stick to the job you had before Pop Idol, or ar you going to see if anyone will sign you?
Korben: I'd like to see if anyone else has any interest in me, because this is the career I want to be in, but if worst comes to worst, I will have to make a living somehow.
From singin_in_the_rain: Nicki, how important do you reckon the idol's looks are?
Nicki: Really it's the overall package, you have to keep looks in perspective, but at the end of the day, the public do go for looks and personality.
From jade-dee: Nicki, what does the general public say to you when you meet them?
Nicki: They're actually really nice to me. They always ask me about Simon, "is he really that nasty", but people are generally nice to me. I do always read the message boards.
From jude: to Korben, I thought you was one of the best singers tonight, what will you do now,,, will you still try to become a pop star ..... I loved your outfit as well
Korben: First of all, thank you for liking my outfit. Secondly, I will still try to be a pop idol; everyone has to take knocks in their career. It's unfortunate that tonight was the night I got knocked out.
From SUPERSTAR_SARAH: KORBEN, HOW DO YOU KEEP SSSSSSSSSSSSSSOOOOOOOOO FIT????
Korben: I like swimming, I try to swim as much as I can. I've never been much good at sport, except swimming. I've never been into pumping iron or anything like that.
From surfingfool: Korben, do you think you chose the right song tonight?
Korben: Um, yes I think I chose the right song, it's one of my favourites of his, and I believe it's one of George Michael's first singles after leaving Wham, and Pop Idol is a solo competition, so I thought it very apt.
From misswannabe: Nicki, have any contestant's performances taken your breath away?
Nicki: Yes, they have. It's very difficult, because you look at so many people, and you always think back on their past performances. I think tonight it has to be Will, tonight he astounded me. He gets better and better.
From snowball: Nicki, can you understand why people fancy Simon Cowell?
Nicki: No! No, only joking. I've known him a long time, so I think of him as a colleague, but a lot of MY friends fancy him.
From dolph: Korben, has the show affected your confidence as a performer?
Korben: Um, no it hasn't affected my confidence as a perfomer; I do really think I can make it in this industry if I work hard enough. I feel very fortunate to have met and to have worked with such professionals as the judges.
From deej: Korben, were the judges' comments fair?
Korben: They were four peoples' individual opinions, and um, I disagree about the outfit; I like it! I was confused by Simon's comments, to be honest, because he previously said I would do quite well in this competition, and he said something else tonight.
From santyclaus: Nicki, which of the other judges do you most agree/disagree with?
Nicki: Ooh, gosh. That is tricky. I think if you watch the show you can judge better than from where I'm sitting. I'm not as harsh as some of them, but I don't feel I have to be that harsh. Korben: I think Nicki's delivery of her opinion is very different from the other judges, and that's what makes them so different.
From Jessie: hi nicki I'm 9 years old I was just wondering out of the finalist who would you want to win?
Nicki: Well that's a very good question, but a tricky one for me to answer. Of course I have favourites, but I'm letting the general public choose this time, so I will accept who the public choose. But I do have my favourites.
From cowgirl: Korben, would you change anything about your performance tonight?
Korben: I haven't seen it back yet, so I don't really know. I'm quite a self critical person, but I haven't seen it yet.
From jade-dee: Nicki, do you sing and if you do have you ever wanted to be a pop idol?
Nicki: No, I only sing to myself, and I couldn't do what these guys have just done, I really really couldn't and that's why when I'm talking to them I'm careful.I wouldn't want to be a Pop idol no, it's never been a dream of mine.
From STAR: HIYA, NICKI DO YOU EVER FEEL THAT SIMON'S CRUEL COMMENTS ARE UNNECESSARY AND IF SO WOULD YOU DARE TO CORRECT HIM?
Nicki: Yes, I do occasionally correct him. He is honest, though, and a lot of the time, I agree with them, but perhaps not to such a degree. The public knows when he's stepping over the line.
From linzi: Korben how do you feel now? I thought you were great and someone will sign you up soon just look at the other popstars group.
Korben: I feel very disorientated, emotional, and sad. Little bit of a failure for tonight.
Nicki: I think Korben has more star quality than some of the others in the final, and I wouldn't say that if I didn't mean it.
From siliconesoul: Korben, do you think it's harder to be voted off now rather than earlier in the show?
Korben: I think any time during the show that someone gets voted off it's going to be hard to take. Being the first off is a bit difficult, but I haven't been in another position, so I don't know. You don't plan for the worst, I planned for success, that's probably why I feel so disappointed.
Nicki: Can I just add that this is how seriously everyone is taking it. It's a true reflection of what they're having to go through, it's such a difficult process for a person.
From Korben_keep_smiling: Korben have you enjoyed doing the show and what was your best moment?
Korben: I LOVED doing this how, immensely. My best memories are, ooh, too many to think of. First of all, I was very pleased to meet the final ten. Secondly to walk out tonight in front of a live audience was a personal dream of mine come through. To hear that Sarah got a record deal was fantastic.
Nicki: It's being discussed, it's not final...
From maestro: Nicki, I want to be a pop idol too, how can I do it?
Nicki: First of all, be realistic with your talent, and find out from someone independently whether you really have got a good voice or not, and then start working on material, start doing gigs, maybe look for a producer.
Korben: And practice. I practice in front of a mirror, and see what I like and what I don't like. Nicki: And learn how to sing.
From miyicegem: Hey Korben, are you still gonna try and reach for your dream? cos I hope to buy a CD with your name on 1 day
Korben: Awww. Yes, this is a big knockback for me personally, but it won't stop me from working for my dream. I mean, look how far I got. A few months ago, this was more than I ever imagined I could do, but now I set my goals higher; I'm definitely never going to give up. I couldn't put into words how much I appreciate the support and kind words, and just the belief in me as well. To have complete strangers believe in me is just unbelievable, and very very encouraging for me to do more singing.
From Sheena: Hi my name is Sheena I'm 15 years old. I would like to become a singer in the future. But, my parents insist that I should finish school properly before starting out as a singer. I don't go to drama school or anything and have no experience. Could this ruin my chances of becoming a singing sensation?
Nicki: No, a lot of artists don't go to drama school, and I think if you look, most of the finalists haven't gone to drama school. Perhaps go to your local amateur group. Finishing school is important.
From AntFAN: Nicki, what did you think of Ant & Dec's music?
Nicki: Do you know what, Let's Get Ready to Rumble is still a great single, and has stood the test of time. I thought they were great! I love their music, I think they're really proud of it as well.
From linzi: Nicki how did you get your job?
Nicki: I was very lucky, I applied for three jobs in the music industry, and was offered all three, both in PA or assistant roles, and I took the most glamorous. That is the truth.
From billy-: Nicki, why do you think some of the really bad people bother going on the show?
Nicki: Two reasons. Sometimes they don't know they're bad, and other times they want their five minutes of fame. And good luck to them for that, there's nothing wrong with that in my books.
From turbohead: Nicki, what's the most important thing that can make a pop idol?
Nicki: Talent. If it had to be one word, it would have to be talent. Talent will shine through; a lot of people had hits, and then disappeared. True talent means you stick around for a long time, be it Annie Lennox, George Michael, Madonna...
From Pop_Idol_Fan: Nicki, you were in the panel of judges on Popstars as well as Pop Idol. Which set of judges did you prefere working with, the Popstars ones, or the Pop Idol ones?
Nicki: Oh, difficult question, you're putting me on the spot. I thoroughly enjoyed Popstars, but I think Pop Idol has to take the top spot. I'm very proud of what all three judges achieve on Popstars.
From Nikki_Chapman: what are your hopes and dream for the future?
Nicki: To continue working with amazing talent, as I have in the past, to continue to bring them success, and to keep enjoying doing it. And that, the last part of that answer, is probably the most important, because if I don't enjoy it, I won't be able to do it well.
From skippy-t: Nicki, what do you sing in the shower?
Nicki: Probably something that's in the top 40, that I've heard on the radio recently. I sing along in the car as well, to the radio. Probably top 40, like Anastacia, something like that. Nicki: Thank you to everyone who takes this show so seriously. I do value people's opinions. And thanks to everyone on the website.