Australian Idol’s Jasey Fox was thrilled to be a part of the Top 12, however, on Monday, February 27, his dreams were dashed when he didn’t garner enough votes to stay in the competition.
While he and Maya Weiss showed extreme promise with their final performances, ultimately, the public chose to save Ben Sheehy and Noora H, propelling them into the Top 10.
After his elimination, Mediaweek spoke to Fox about leaving the competition, why representation on TV matters and the obstacles he overcame to be a part of one of Australia’s most popular singing competitions.
Jasey Fox didn’t like the “competition” aspect of Australian Idol
For Fox, being a part of Australian Idol was “difficult”, with the 26-year-old admitting that the competitive nature of the show wasn’t a natural fit.
“The competition was sort of a difficult thing for me,” he said. “I’m not competitive in any way. I’m only extremely competitive with myself, and I want to do very well. However, a competitive environment is not something I take well to. It doesn’t make me feel good, and it was bothering me if I’m very honest.
“I grew up as a dancer and that was extremely competitive from the moment I was four,” he continued. “I’ve had those moments of being competitive all through my childhood that I didn’t want to go back to, and I’m happy that I don’t have to anymore.”
Even though he is talented and performs live on a regular basis, Fox admitted that he knew he wasn’t going to win.
“I’ve known I wasn’t going to win the whole time I was there. The most important thing was sharing my artistry.”
Fox reveals why representation matters on television
Even though Idol has made strides with inclusivity during the 2023 season, Jayse believes that the “reception” to the diverse cast leaves something to be desired.
“It’s been making really great waves,” Fox said. “But it’s more-so that the reception isn’t always positive. I think Australia has a long way to go. Australians don’t just look like me. They look like a lot of different things and sound like a lot of different things and have a lot of different beliefs. If it’s going to be called Australian Idol then we should have all of Australia showcased on it.”
For Fox, Vice, who is of African-American Austrian and Czechoslovakian descent, had the most “star power” when it came to the finalists.
“To be honest, I think she has the most star quality,” he said. “I’m disappointed that we don’t have more people of colour in the competition and I think Maya represents an Australian that isn’t often represented.”
Fox struggles with bipolar disorder
Even though he has now left Idol, Fox is handling the elimination with grace and is used to “picking” himself up everyday.
“I have bipolar disorder. I was diagnosed quite young and it’s something that I struggle with every day,” Fox said before adding: “It was very much clear in my audition that there is a character that I have to step into or things will go terribly wrong.
“I’m used to having to pick myself up and readjust. I’m also queer and operating in the world as a queer person comes with its own setbacks, and so I’m not afraid or new to adversity at all.”
Australian Idol airs 7.00 pm Sunday and 7.30 pm Monday and Tuesday on Channel 7 and 7plus.