Amy Shark has revealed the reason why she almost refused to return to Australian Idol this year.
The 37-year-old judge joined the jury of the great singing competition last year, but almost turned down the chance to return for a second year.
She admitted she struggled with giving negative feedback and shooting down the dreams of optimistic hopefuls on the show, and it almost saw her walk away from her judging role.
However, she eventually decided to give it another try and has now agreed to give constructive criticism and feedback to the singers to help them in the long run.
She told me Daily telegram: ‘I think I have a much better handle on it this season, because I really struggled that first year, to the point where I was like, “I don’t think I can do this again.”
Amy Shark has revealed the reason why she almost refused to return to Australian Idol this year (she’s pictured with fellow judges Kylie Sandilands and Marcia Hines
‘Because I don’t know how to criticize, and I’m too afraid to hurt anyone, because I was so damaged for so many years, and probably still am, just because I felt so worthless and very invisible. ‘
She changed her mind after thinking about setbacks in her own career and realizing how important they were in giving her a thick skin and helping her learn to deal with criticism.
‘Those ‘no’s’ are crucial, I didn’t think about it when it happened (…) I was angry and bitter and all that, but when you look back you think: ‘Wow, if I hadn’t had all those setbacks, I would just don’t have the thick skin that I have now.’
She admitted that negative comments online and criticism don’t really bother her now because of what she has gone through in her career that has made her the person she is today.
Amy said she always tries to make constructive comments about Australian Idol hopefuls when she has to tell them ‘no’, as she spoke about getting to grips with her judging role.
Amy (pictured with former judge Meghan Trainor) admitted she struggled to shoot down the dreams of optimistic hopefuls, and almost gave up her role as a judge
But she changed her mind after thinking about setbacks in her own career and realizing how important they were in giving her a thick skin and helping her learn to deal with criticism.
She added: “Even though it’s a really bad day for them, like me, they will work for it if they want it bad enough, and they won’t let that stop them.”
Along with her fellow judges Marcia Hines and Kyle Sandilands, Amy is tasked with finding the next megastar in Australian music through nationwide auditions.
A host of new hopefuls have worked to impress the judges and audience this year, with the final six contestants announced earlier this week after a nail-biting competition.
Fans were stunned on Monday when favorites Drea Onamade and Kiani Smith were sent home in a double elimination, narrowly missing the top six.
The talented pair were beaten in the bottom four by powerhouses Dylan Wright and Dennah Baker-Moller, who put in incredible performances to retain their places.
Australian Idol fans were stunned on Monday night when favorites Drea Onamade, 26, (left) and Kiani Smith, 17, (right) were sent home in a double elimination
Along with Dylan and Dennah, Amy Reeves, Isaac Mccallum, Ivana Ilic and Trent Richardson all secured their places in the top six.
Across Australia, 3.3 million votes were placed, putting Dylan (30), Dennah (24), Drea (26) and Kiani (17) in the bottom four.
Judges Kyle, Marcia and Amy were all extremely shocked to see Dylan finish in the bottom four after his breathtaking performance on Sunday.
Kyle, 52, said: ‘That sucks, that’s wrong. A recount must take place. That’s bad voting from home.’
In an attempt to save their spots, Dylan sang Use Somebody by Kings of Leon while Dervah woke up the crowd with her rendition of James Bay’s Hold Back the River.
The pair were beaten in the bottom four by powerhouses Dylan Wright, 30, (right) and Dennah Baker-Moller, 24, (middle right), who put in incredible performances to save their place.
Drea and Kiani couldn’t keep up with their covers of Kylie Minogue’s Can’t Get You Out of My Head and Nina Simone’s Feeling Good, respectively.
When they received the devastating news that they would be leaving the competition for good, Kiani said: “Thank you. It has been a lifelong experience that I will always cherish.”
Meanwhile, Drea sent a shoutout to her family and friends, stating, “This is not the end of Drea. Good luck. You will see me.’
Pop star Amy said of Drea’s elimination: ‘It’s just really sad. I don’t want to see you go. I enjoyed every performance.’