Australian Idol judge Kyle Sandilands copped some booing from the audience on Monday night after a not-so-flattering comment to one of this season’s most popular performers.
Singer and camel farmer Trent is a country-and-western guy through and though, from his twangy vocal stylings to the clothes he wears onstage.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Kyle Sandilands booed after shock comment to Australian Idol singer.
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After being given three songs to choose from by the judges, Trent decided on the massive Matchbox Twenty hit, 3am.
He even got to meet the members of Matchbox Twenty and attend one of their concerts, as the American band was touring Australia at the time.
Trent decided to give the pop-rock classic his own classic country twist, giving a solid performance that the audience clearly enjoyed.
Then it was the judges’ turn to give their assessment of his performance, with Kyle kicking off proceedings.
But what he said didn’t go down well with the audience, and Trent looked a little shellshocked by Kyle’s description of his voice.
“You’re very well liked, people like you, people talk about you,” he began.
“I can’t stop hearing Kermit the Frog though, every time you sing,” he added as the crowd collectively groaned.
“It is your sound, though, I was thinking, this guy’s Kermit!” he went on, before doing a Kermit impression that prompted the audience to start booing.
“Hey, nothing wrong with Kermit! I dunno why you’re booing Kermit!” he shouted.
But what started out sounding like an insult slowly turned around into something closer to an actual compliment.
“But I’ve begun to enjoy you, even though I could really hear that all the time,” he said, doing another Kermit impression as Marcia Hines shot eye-daggers in his direction.
“Now, I like it. I think you did that song really well, but that was my stumbling block with you, that real twangy thing.
“It was difficult for me to get over, but I do actually enjoy it now.
“Some songs I hear on the radio I hate, and then four weeks later I’m singing every word.”
As always, Marcia then pitched in to try and smooth things over, with Trent looking a little bit speechless.
“The great thing about you that I’m really digging is that every time you’re on that stage, you’re more comfortable,” she told him.
“And if the twang is who you are, let the twang be who you are.
“Learn to open up your vowels, that’s all I’m gonna say to you, but I enjoyed that immensely.”
“Thank you. Thank you,” Trent responded.
Finally, Amy Shark weighed in.
While she didn’t think it was Trent’s strongest vocal performance to date, she loved the fact that he was “owning the crowd”, who clearly loved him.
“You’re doing it your way, and you’ve got to respect that,” she said.
Walking onto the stage, host Ricki-Lee Coulter said she had discovered a new talent — namely, Kyle’s ability to do accurate Kermit impressions.
Not missing a beat, Kyle answered: “Well, I’ve heard it for weeks and weeks.”
Monday night’s episode was the chance for singers Trent, Kiani, Amy, Tyler and Isaac to strut their stuff and impress viewers at home ahead of Tuesday night’s Top 10 Live Verdict show.
Who will make it into the Top 8?
You can vote by texting the name of your favourite to 0457 500 700.
Australian Idol continues Tuesday 7.30pm on Channel 7 and 7plus.
