News of Norway, January 1, 2004
Kurt "the hobbit" Nilsen, a plumber from Outer Arna just outside Bergen in Norway, left the other contestants of World Idol behind as he sailed in to win the competition on January 1st. "This is amazing," was about the only thing the surprised Norwegian could utter after the victory.The World Idol competition consists of winners of 11 national Idol contests. American Idol Kelly Clarkson came second, while Belgium's Peter Everard took the bronze spot.
The worldwide audience of the show loved Nilsen's rendition of U2's "Beautiful Day" so much that all but one of the voting countries gave the maximum amount of points to the Norwegian father of two. If the result had been up to the judges at the competition, which aired in most countries on Christmas Day, the 25-year-old would not have stood a chance.
"You have the voice of an angel but you look like a hobbit," Australian judge Ian Dickson said after the winning performance.
"If they had a Middle Earth Idol you'd be it."
Steady voice
After taking the title, Nilsen was so shocked that he could barely speak to the hosts of the popular TV show.
"I'm shivering right now, you can say. Sorry about my English right now. Happy new year, people," an overjoyed World Idol said before repeating his winning song with a steady voice.
"My legs were shaking, but fortunately not my voice," he told Norwegian newspaper Aftenposten once his pulse had settled.
Among the many well-wishers after the surprising victory were Norwegian Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik.
"Congratulations with winning World Idol. We are impressed. You and Sigurd Pettersen (who won an international ski jump competition on January 1st) have given Norway a great start to 2004," the Prime Minister said in a comment.
And now the world?
The victory gives Nilsen an unique opportunity to launch his album around the world. His single "She's so high", released after he won the Norwegian competition in the summer of 2003, is the most-selling single ever in Norway. The singer now hopes to get noticed on the world stage.
"We'll see what happens," he told Norwegian news agency NTB.
"Right now I don't know what the next step will be, but of course I'm hoping that my music will be picked up."