Amy Shark has revealed the reason she almost refused to return to Australian Idol this year.
The judge, 37, joined the judging panel of the smash singing competition last year but almost turned down the chance to return for a second year.
She admitted she struggled with giving negative feedback and shooting down optimistic hopeful dreams about the show and it almost saw her walk away from her judging role.
But in the end, she decided to give it a shot and has now found herself giving constructive criticism and feedback to the singers to help them in the long run.
She told Daily Telegraph: ‘I think I’ve got a much better grip on it this season – because I really struggled the first year, to the point where I thought, “I don’t think I can do this again”.
Amy Shark has revealed the reason she almost refused to return to Australian Idol this year (she’s pictured with fellow judges Kylie Sandilands and Marcia Hines
‘Because I don’t know how to criticize and I’m too afraid to hurt anyone because I was so damaged for so many years and probably still am – just from feeling so worthless and feeling very invisible. ‘
She changed her mind after reflecting on setbacks in her own career and realizing how important they were in giving her a thick skin and helping her learn to deal with criticism.
‘Those ‘no’s’ are crucial, I didn’t think about it when it happened (…) I was angry and bitter and everything, but when you look back you’re like, “Wow, if I didn’t have everything the knock-backs, I just didn’t want to 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’s 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 say ‘no’ to them, while talking about getting to grips with her judging role.
Amy (pictured with former judge Meghan Trainor) admitted she struggled with shooting down optimistic hopeful dreams and it almost saw her walk away from her judging role
But she changed her mind after reflecting on setbacks in her own career and realizing how important they were in giving her a thick skin and helping her learn to deal with criticism
She added: “Even if it’s a really bad day for them, if they want to feel good enough, as much as I did, they’ll work for it and they won’t let it stop them.”
Along with fellow judges Marcia Hines and Kyle Sandilands, Amy is tasked with finding Australia’s next music megastar through nationwide auditions.
A whole host of new hopefuls have worked to impress the judges and the public this year, with the final six contestants revealed earlier this week after a nail-biting competition.
Fans were stunned on Monday when favorites 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 produced incredible performances to retain their places.
Australian Idol fans were stunned on Monday night when favorites 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 spots in the top six.
Across Australia, 3.3 million votes were cast, placing Dylan, 30, Denvah, 24, Drea, 26, and Kiani, 17, in the bottom four.
Judges Kyle, Marcia and Amy were all particularly shocked to see Dylan placed in the bottom four after his astonishing performance on Sunday.
Kyle, 52, said: ‘It stinks, it’s wrong. There needs to be a recount. It’s something bad to vote from home.’
Trying to save their seats, Dylan stopped Use Somebody by Kings of Leon as Denvah roused the crowd with his rendition of Hold Back the River by James Bay.
The pair were beaten into the bottom four by powerhouses Dylan Wright, 30, (right) and Denvah Baker-Moller, 24, (centre right), who put in an incredible performance to save their places
Drea and Kiani failed to follow through with their covers of Can’t Get You Out of My Head by Kylie Minogue and Feeling Good by Nina Simone respectively.
On receiving the devastating news they would be leaving the competition for good, Kiani said: ‘Thank you. It has been an experience of a lifetime, which I will always cherish.’
Meanwhile, Drea sent a shout out to her family and friends, declaring: ‘This is not the end of Drea. Good luck. You will see me.’
Pop star Amy said of Drea’s elimination: ‘It’s just really sad. I don’t want to see you go. I have enjoyed every performance.’