While emphasising the playful camaraderie between the four X Factor judges, Stan Walker has called Daniel Bedingfield out on his dramatic tendencies.
It follows Bedingfield calling Walker a soft touch due to his somewhat delicate way with even the least-talented contestants.
“In some ways I am,” Walker said.
“But he’s a blimmin’ emotional wreck – he cries more than the contestants. People love him though. I am soft, but that’s all right.
“We’re all a little bit out there, but Daniel is definitely the craziest.”
Disputing judges appear to be a guaranteed seat-filler for reality music shows – Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj’s endless altercations on the latest American Idol series spring to mind – but Walker is quick to assure New Zealand audiences that it’s all in good fun.
“There are times when there’s drama and disagreements amongst the judges over a difference in opinion, but that’s a given when you put four strong personalities together,” he said.
Walker revealed that besides his three over-25 contestants, he is a fan of youngsters Whenua Patuwai and Cassie Henderson.
“Cassie’s a little pocket rocket. I hate that I love her,” he said.
After starring in New Zealand film Mt Zion, released early this year, and taking over our TV screens on X Factor, Walker says the fan attention is bordering on overwhelming.
“I do get recognised walking down the street and I try to hide to be honest,” he said.
“There’s a time and a place, and sometimes I just want to walk around and do my own thing without people watching.”
Walker will be hoping the public scrutiny will translate into ticket sales as he prepares for a tour of the country in September and October this year.
He will be playing 31 shows touring from Whangarei to Invercargill and is especially looking forward to performing in the small towns throughout New Zealand.
“I’m a small town boy, I’m from a little village in the Mount [Maunganui] so I always want people like me, people out in the country with not a lot going on, to still get the experience and not miss out,” he said.
The “Australian-born Maori boy”, as he puts it, hypes his show as bigger and better than ever before.
“This is going to be me at my finest,” he said
“It’s the best voice I’ve ever had, I will be performing all my songs, both old and new, and there might be some special guests in the mix as well.”
Who is willing to place bets on some of the X Factor stars entering stage left
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