Stan Walker - International Spotlight

Stan Walker is what I like to consider a "true" Idol in every writhe. 19 years old, born in New Zealand, but spending about equal time in both New Zealand and Australia, Stan Walker was just a simple teenager working retail and casually uploading videos of him singing onto youtube. Stan entered the Idol stage as a complete novice, but his humble attitude and demeanor were nothing but enriched by his soulful, empowering, rich, original voice. Stan has that earthy, natural talent that I believe some people are just born with.

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Stan was know for making some of the boldest Idol song choices ever, and doing what the American Idol judges seem to really want to push this year---changing them, making them his own, and making them current. This 19 year old male tackled The Climb, Single Ladies, Umbrella, The Circle of Life, If I Ain't Got You, and many other unprecedented choices; and perhaps what I like best about Stan Walker, is that he does not hide his vulnerability. He takes you on a journey with him throughout every song, and makes you believe what he's singing. Here are some his performances from the show:

"Hallelujah" - Definitely one of my overall favorites from him.
http://www.youtube.com/v/Z3o409lspYA&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0

"A Man's World"
http://www.youtube.com/v/P1HGOkT9GB4&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0

"The Climb" - Miley wishes.
http://www.youtube.com/v/2N3GYWJCkJc&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0

"Dear Mr. President" - This performance starts off shaky with some technical glitches, but the recovery is just...amazing. A-amazing.

"Superstar"
http://www.youtube.com/v/Wm8H9Ofu9ak&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0

"Purple Rain" - This is often regarded as his best performance. Standing ovation from all 4 judges, and probably some of the most insane crowd bather I've heard thus far from an Idol incarnation.

Stan won the 7th season of Australian Idol, and his debut album went double platinum in Australian and New Zealand.