‘Sweet justice' for Ricki-Lee if she wins Logie

Perth Now

3 days ago

Ricki-Lee Coulter hopes justice will be served at the Logies on Sunday night if she wins an award for the very show she was eliminated from 21 years ago.
The Australian Idol host is in the running to win the Bert Newton award for most popular presenter on the hit singing competition that changed her life in 2004 after placing 7th.
The Raining Diamonds singer said it was an honour to be recognised for her role and hard work on the show she described as 'one big family.'
'It's a crazy, amazing, full-circle moment,' she said.
'And I think for all of those people, like on the daily, I get stopped by people saying, I can't believe you didn't win Australian Idol, you were robbed. I voted for you. I couldn't go to school for weeks. Like it was such a scar left on so many people. And I think for those people, if I win this award, that's some sweet, sweet justice for them.
'I think that they finally get justice for Ricki-Lee.'
At the prestigious ceremony celebrating the world of TV, Coulter will be sitting at a table along with Idol judge Marcia Hines and this year's winner, Marshall Hamburger.
The 20-year-old, who took home the $100,000 prize and recording studio package with Hive Sound Studios, has been working on new music with Coulter, hoping to get a first listen. Ricki-Lee Coulter. Credit: Unknown / Channel 7
'He was going to send me a bunch of his new tracks to listen to before the weekend. But he's doing really well. He's been playing shows around Australia. He's got his band, he's been in the studio, and he's really excited to put something out.
'So I can't wait to hear what he's been working on, and pop the headphones in and have a little listen sitting at the table, which will be fun.'
Coulter, who also hosts Nova's drive show with Tim Black and Joel Creasey, said the Logies night was the perfect chance to catch up with everyone in the showbiz industry and take a short break from busy schedules.
'It's nice to be able to come together on this one night, because everyone's generally so busy flying around filming a show here, there and everywhere. And you only really get to see each other when you're in work mode.
'So, the Logies, is such a fun night that you all just get to kind of let your hair down and not get too loose.'
The New Zealand-born but Gold-Coast-raised said she loved presenting Idol and being there for the contestants from the very moment they arrive with loved ones to audition. Also hoping to take out a Logie award are the crew from Better Homes and Gardens Credit: Seven Network
'What I love about this job is the auditions. I've walked through the shoes of the people who are auditioning and the people who are on the show. I've been through it. I have a sense of what they're going through, and I understand how they're feeling, and I try and be empathetic and compassionate and be that person that's there for them to give them whatever they need,' she said.
The filming of Idol's next season will get underway in September when auditions start.
Also hoping to take out a Logie award are the crew from Better Homes and Gardens, who are in line to win best lifestyle program.
Host Johanna Griggs said the funniest part of the Logies for her is when the presenters walked the red carpet.
'The red carpet at the Logies is always a very interesting moment, because obviously we're not Home and Away,' she said.
'We spend most of our red carpet where people go, 'Oh yeah, can you move along?' So we have the absolute roar of laughter going down the red carpet.
'It's a pretty humbling experience.'
The popular Channel 7 TV show is up against against Nine's Do You Want To Live Forever? and Travel Guides, and the ABC's Gardening Australia, Grand Designs Australia and Restoration Australia.
Better Homes has been on air for 31 years and has won 13 Logies, including Adam Dovile's win of best new talent in 2015.
Griggs attributed the show's long-lasting success to its positivity and variety over the years.