Achille Fong's Unforgettable Australian Idol Audition: Amy Shark's Secret Phone Filming Stuns Contestant
In a remarkable twist on Australian Idol, 20-year-old Sydney singer Achille Fong left judges impressed with his energetic pop-punk style, but it was judge Amy Shark's unexpected action that truly captivated the young musician. Speaking exclusively to 7NEWS.com.au, Fong detailed the surreal events that unfolded after the cameras stopped rolling, revealing a heartwarming gesture from the Logie Award-winning artist.
The Audition That Caught Amy Shark's Attention
During his audition, Fong performed All The Small Things by the iconic 90s rock band Blink-182, confidently rocking out on guitar. As he delivered the high-energy song, Shark did something entirely unanticipated—she began filming the performance on her mobile phone. "It was so surreal stepping into that audition room and seeing all the judges," Fong recounted. "I knew Amy was a huge fan of pop punk, as she's sang with Blink-182 before and knows the band members personally. When she started filming, I wasn't sure if it was a good or a bad thing. But then she started smiling and I thought 'this was a good thing.'"
Blink-182's Response: A Fire Emoji and Praise
After the audition, Shark approached Fong with an astonishing revelation: she planned to send the video directly to members of Blink-182. "I couldn't believe it," he expressed, still in awe. "When I came back to get my golden ticket, she told me the band members had responded and said they loved it. One even gave it a fire emoji." For Fong, who grew up listening to bands like Blink-182, this feedback was "super crazy" and a dream come true. He added, "I'm forever grateful for Amy. She didn't have to do that—record me and send it to the guys. I'm just really happy that my performance, my audition, was really appreciated."
Fong's Musical Journey and Family Inspiration
Fong, who was born in Hong Kong and moved back to Sydney at age 14, has always been deeply connected to pop-punk music. "This genre has a lot of energy and that's just the person I am," he explained. "Being able to perform such high-energy songs and being in front of crowds just jamming out, rocking out and entertaining the crowd—that's what I love about the genre and that's what I'm all about." His passion was further fueled by working as a stagehand while studying international business and archaeology at university, where he watched bands like Twenty One Pilots and Green Day from the sidelines, describing it as a "surreal experience."
Inspired by these moments, Fong started his own band called Where She Was and credits his family as a constant source of support. His younger brother, Atilla, has firsthand experience with reality TV pressures, having found fame on singing competitions in Hong Kong and South Korea. "He's had a lot more experience in the industry than I do," Fong noted. "I'm very proud of him because he's quite successful now." It was his brother's bravery in chasing dreams at a young age that encouraged Fong to apply for Australian Idol.
Looking Ahead: Staying True in the Competition
After earning a golden ticket and securing a place in the Top 30, Fong's family in Hong Kong are cheering him on enthusiastically. As he heads into the next stage of the competition, he remains committed to authenticity. "People can just expect me to rock out on stage and hopefully the crowd enjoys it," Achille declared, ready to bring his signature energy to future performances.
