Damien Leith was one of the myriad young singers launched to success via the international television phenomenon Pop Idol.
Born January 18, 1976, in County Kildare, Ireland, Leith spent his childhood in locales as far-flung as Libya and Botswana, thanks to his father's work as an engineer. As a teen he and his siblings formed the band Leaf, later recording in New York City under the name Releaf. After marrying an Australian native, Leith relocated down under and fronted the band Revelate, which enjoyed a fervent fan following on the Sydney nightclub circuit. Leith was working as a chemist when friends convinced him to audition for the fourth season of Network Ten's amateur showcase Australian Idol in 2006. Selected as one of 24 finalists from a pool of over 25,000 contestants, he won praise from the series judges for his distinctive falsetto, also accompanying himself on guitar for renditions of Chris Isaak's "Wicked Game" and Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah." Considered a dark-horse candidate by fans and handicappers, Leith ultimately triumphed against rival Jessica Mauboy in the November 26, 2006, final. At 30, he was the second-oldest competitor to claim victory on any of the global Idol
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