Callea tells of homophobic abuse
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Being real … Anthony Callea decided to ignore the haters and follow his gut instinct to record the songs of George Michael. Picture: Justin Lloyd
Source: News Limited
ANTHONY Callea has revealed he considered quitting his recording career twice in recent years because of homophobic abuse and insults hurled at him on the street.
The Australian Idol survivor released his fifth record
Ladies and Gentleman: The Songs Of George Michael
last week, realising a dream to cover his favourite male pop vocalist.
But he said he could not have done the record even five years ago because his confidence was dented by disgusting abuse such as “karaoke f…..”.
Callea, said he had thought about “throwing it in” a few times since he was launched on the national stage by Australian Idol a decade ago.
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“Things are thrown at you and sometimes it gets a little bit overwhelming, just going out on the weekends, and you wonder why you put yourself in that position,” he said.
“People have shouted out, to my face, things like karaoke f….. or midget.
“That’s why I could not have done this record five years ago.
“But I decided to be me and to be confident.”
Nearly quit twice … Anthony Callea has an up-coming tour to support the release of his new record The Songs of George Michael. Picture: Justin Lloyd
Source: News Limited
Callea had wanted to stage a one-off concert performing Michael’s songs in Melbourne when his label urged him to record the show to be his next CD and DVD release.
He credits touring with Tina Arena in 2012 for also bolstering his confidence to follow his gut instincts.
A real showman … Anthony Callea recorded his concert of George Michael songs for his new CD and DVD release. Picture: APL Photography
Source: Supplied
“We are both quite headstrong and our mouths can get us into trouble but what I took away from that tour with Tina was to just be honest and believe you can do it,” he said.
“She’s had so many doors slammed in her face and labels thrown at her and look at her. She’s a singer’s singer and she doesn’t care what anyone thinks.”
Rising above it … Anthony Callea with his pals Harrison Craig, John Foreman and Casey Donovan after the first George Michael show. Picture: Anthony Licuria
Source: Supplied
The big surprise for the sold-out audience at the concert was his reunion with Australian Idol mate Casey Donovan, who won the 2004 title.
They sing I Knew You Were Waiting For Me, which the British pop star originally duetted with Aretha Franklin.
“It was the first time we have been on stage together since the Idol finale,” Callea said.
“I got goosebumps when she walked on stage, it was such a beautiful moment.”
The way they were … former Australian Idol winner Casey Donovan and finalist Anthony Callea.
Source: News Corp Australia
Callea will perform The Songs of George Michael on a national theatre tour kicking off at Perth’s Astor Theatre on September 19. heading to Hey Majesty’s, Adelaide on September 20, Sydney’s Enmore Theatre on October 3, The Palms at Crown on October 4 and the Brisbane Convention Centre on October 11.
