Amy Shark has revealed the reason why she almost refused to return to Australian Idol this year.
The judge, 37, joined the judging panel of the smash hit singing competition last year but almost turned down the chance to return for a second year.
She admitted that she struggled with giving negative feedback and shooting down the dreams of optimistic hopefuls on the show, and it almost saw her walk away from her judging role.
However, she ultimately decided to give it another shot and she has now come to terms with giving constructive criticism and feedback to the singers to help them in the long run.
She told the Daily Telegraph: ‘I think I’ve got a grip of it a lot better this season – because I really struggled that first year, to the point where I was like, “I don’t think I can do this again”.
Amy Shark has revealed the reason why she almost refused to return to Australian Idol this year (she is pictured with fellow judges Kylie Sandilands and Marcia Hines
‘Because I don’t know how to critique, and I’m too scared to damage anyone, because I was so damaged for so many years, and still probably am – just from feeling so worthless and feeling very invisible.’
She changed her mind after reflecting on knockbacks in her own career and realising how important they were in giving her a thick skin and helping her learn to deal with criticism.
‘Those ‘nos’ are crucial, I didn’t think it when it was happening […] I was angry and bitter and everything, but when you look back, you’re like, “Wow, if I didn’t have all those knock-backs, I just wouldn’t have the thick skin that I have now”.’
She admitted that negative comments online and criticism don’t really bother her now because of what she has been through in her career, making her the person she is today.
Amy said she always tries to give the Australian Idol hopefuls constructive comments when she has to tell them ‘no’ as she spoke about getting to grips with her judging role.
Amy (pictured with former judge Meghan Trainor) admitted that she struggled with shooting down the dreams of optimistic hopefuls, and it almost saw her walk away from her judging role
But she changed her mind after reflecting on knockbacks in her own career and realising how important they were in giving her a thick skin and helping her learn to deal with criticism
She added: ‘Although it’s a really s***ty day for them, if they want it bad enough, as much as I did, they’ll work for it, and they won’t let this stop them.’
Along with her fellow judges Marcia Hines and Kyle Sandilands, Amy is tasked with finding the next Australian music megastar through nationwide auditions.
A whole host of new hopefuls have been working to impress the judges and the public this year, and the final six contestants were revealed earlier this week after a nail-biting contest.
Fans were left stunned on Monday when favourites Drea Onamade and Kiani Smith were sent home in a double elimination, narrowly missing out on making the top six.
The talented pair were beaten in the bottom four by powerhouses Dylan Wright and Denvah Baker-Moller, who put on incredible performances to keep their spots.
Australian Idol fans were left stunned on Monday night when favourites Drea Onamade, 26, (left) and Kiani Smith, 17, (right) were sent home in a double elimination
Along with Dylan and Denvah, Amy Reeves, Isaac Mccallum, Ivana Ilic and Trent Richardson all secured their places in the top six.
Across Australia, 3.3million votes were placed, putting Dylan, 30, Denvah, 24, Drea, 26, and Kiani, 17, in the bottom four.
Judges Kyle, Marcia and Amy were all especially shocked to see Dylan placed in the bottom four after his jaw-dropping performance on Sunday.
Kyle, 52, said: ‘That sucks, that’s wrong. There must be a recount. That’s some poor voting from home.’
In a bid to save their spots, Dylan belted out Use Somebody by Kings of Leon as Denvah roused the crowd with her rendition of Hold Back the River by James Bay.
The pair were beaten in the bottom four by powerhouses Dylan Wright, 30, (right) and Denvah Baker-Moller, 24, (centre right) who put on incredible performance to save their spots
Drea and Kiani failed to keep up with their covers of Can’t Get You Out of My Head by Kylie Minogue and Feeling Good by Nina Simone respectively.
When they received the devastating news they would be leaving the competition for good, Kiani said: ‘Thank you. It’s been a lifetime experience I will always cherish.’
Meanwhile, Drea sent a shoutout to her family and friends, declaring: ‘This is not the end of Drea. Good luck. You will be seeing me.’
Pop star Amy said of Drea’s elimination: ‘It’s just really sad. I don’t want to see you go. I’ve enjoyed every single performance.’
