Phew! You'll be relieved to know that our new Idol Paxton Fielies won't be giving up school now that she's won the show. She confirmed this most avidly at the Idols 13 press conference after her win at Sunday's finale.
She's the second 17-year-old to win the show and she's done it 10 years after sweet, vulnerable Jody Williams who was thrust into the harsh world of adults when she won Season 4 and then disappeared as quickly as she arrived.
That was then and this is now and I'm pleased to report that Paxton defs seems to be less vulnerable than Jody was.
I suspect it has to do with the fact that she's more prepared for what to expect because of the many winners who've come before her. Also, she's faced the glare of social media which wasn't nearly as intense when Jody won so she's already faced the relentlessly, judgmental eye of the world.
I was concerned for her before the press conference but felt reassured afterwards because she came across as savvy and confident without being arrogant and was also calm and centred.
She's in Grade 11 and said she plans to matriculate, most probably through correspondence so she can perform at the same time.
She took her time to answer questions from the media and clearly knew her schooling was a big deal because she dealt with it thoroughly.
Unlike Mthokozisi, who dealt with zilch because he was nowhere to be seen.
For the first time in Idols' history, the runner-up of the show didn't attend the press conference afterwards.
Mthokozisi sent a message to say that he needed to compose himself and I thought he would arrive mid-way through but he didn't.
My heart went out to him because it's such a sign of how brutal reality TV can be. I kept thinking of other runners-up like Lloyd Cele and Will Young from the UK Pop Stars who went on to successful careers and wanted to be able to remind Mthokozisi of them.
Of course it wouldn't help him right now because the runner-up must feel shattered when it happens, espesh beause everyone goes so berserk for the winner moments after they've just been going as berserk for you.
You have to smile and be oh-so-thrilled for the other person when you're dying inside. To me Mthokozisi's reaction was 100% honest and real and I liked that.
Almost as much as I enjoyed the fireworks that happened between the press and Idols.
Things go boom!
The topic of former winners and their "success" - or rather, the lack thereof - came up at the press conference and things got juicy.
The issue of responsibility came up, specifically the question of: who's responsibility is it to ensure that the winner goes on to success?
Blame was thrust around the room like a poker fuelling a fire with everyone on the receiving end of it: Mzansi Magic, the media, the producers (Sic Entertainment), the winners' managers, everyone was blamed by someone and each entity got involved in the debate. It was brilliant and exactly the sort of conversations that should be happening.
Notable things that came up that I thought you'd be quizzy to know:
1. The release date of the winners' album has been pushed out so that Paxton has more time to record it, which is good. You may remember us ranting on about the problem with rush jobs last year when Noma recorded her album immediately after her win, which was released amidst the Christmas rush but too late to be a Christmas present.
2. Apparently our national radio stations are very iffy about playing Idols' songs. Idols Season 5 finalist Graeme Watkins was at the finale and he told me that it's a big hindrance to the success of Idols winners and finalists - that national radio stations have never supported the Idols.
This could be because they aren't regarded as "real musicians" who've earned the right to national radio airplay like other musos who've put in years or it might be because our national radio stations are SABC-owned and Idols isn't.
There could be any number of reasons for it but ultimately what's at the heart of it all is that Idols is selling the idea that the winners become a star singing sensation but it's not happening in the real world because of multiple factors.
And now another season has already been confirmed for early 2018 and it's going to be popular because every season is, which suggests that viewers enjoy watching the competition but once it's over, many are happy to move on.
As for Paxton and what she should do next... I have a plan for her. See if you agree:
1. She must stay in Cape Town while she finishes her schooling because she has a large, enthusiastic fan base who'll go to her shows. She says she would consider relocating to Joziburg but she shouldn't. Not yet that's for sure.
2. She must perform-perform-perform. Live at venues, everywhere in Cape Town and surrounds. Patricia Lewis once told me that this is what she did to build a successful career - she said that live performances and LOTS of them are key to a successful musical career.
3. Paxton should book a number of gigs in Joziburg and travel between Cape Town and Joziburg. Apparently she has gigs lined up already so she should alternate between the two cities until she knows where she wants to be. Alternatively she could eventually live in both.
4. She must record a Christmas single and release it soon so she doesn't go silent between now and the release of her album.
Yes?