Meet America's Aussie idol

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The "Idol" franchise now plays in Australia and more than 40 countries around the world.

But the biggest by far is American Idol, broadcast to 100 countries. And where one season can see more than 800 million votes being cast for a favourite singer, this year one of those American favourites was an Australian: Michael Johns.

He was one of the most popular contestants the show has ever seen. Michael is now a major star in the USA, bound for a record deal, but virtually unknown in his homeland.

The Aussie singer took on more than 100,000 hopefuls and did the unthinkable: he made the final 10.

His dreams have well and truly come true. Michael was a kid from Perth who moved to the US on a university tennis scholarship, but dropped tennis for his first love, music. After a couple of bands and two record contracts that went nowhere, then came the last 10 of American Idol and he was a hit.

Michael has proved such a hit that Fox 8 has flown the singer and his American wife Stacey back home to build his profile down under.

He has already become a hit on the American chat show circuit and despite being voted off the show in the final 8, his star is still rising.

As that door closed, yet another opened: a record later this year, a 52-city tour. It just gets better for this 29-year-old Australian.

So where does Michael see himself in 10 years?

"Hopefully making records and touring as an established artist," Michael said. "That's the dream."

Further information

American Idol airs in Australia on FOX8, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7.30pm.