Don't cry for New Zealand Idol discard Jessie Cassin - she could soon be joining the cast of touring musical Evita.
The 18-year-old Aucklander was positive after her highly public expulsion from the television talent show.
"Yeah, I'm relieved," she said yesterday. "I'm feeling really positive about the experience, butI'm not sad to be leaving. I'm happy with how I went and I know New Zealand Idol has opened up heaps of opportunities for me."
Most exciting has been a call from Penny Dodd, musical director for Evita which begins touring nationally in late August.
"She said if anything happened and I was available I should call her for an audition. I've had a few other calls about things people think might be cool for me and the show has helped set up a possible part on Shortland Street."
Cassin has already tasted success in the 2002 cokesmokefreerockquest, finishing third while winning the best vocals and women's musicianship awards, and was a finalist in the 2003 New Zealand Chamber Music Contest.
It is unlikely Jessie will miss the televised scrutiny that comes with the NZ Idol experience.
While her performance of Bic Runga's Drive during the national auditions left the judges dripping superlatives she had to rely on their wildcard to make it to the finals.
But it was downhill from there, particularly to the ears of former Headless Chickens vocalist Fiona MacDonald who wrote off one performance as "really bad".
"In the end I was eliminated because I didn't pull out the big performance on the night, " said Cassin.
She picked Robin to become the country's first pop idol.
"Everybody's got the talent, but Robin's working the public and the younger generations really well."
