Kate Dearaugo

Kate DeAraugo (born November 5, 1985), is an Australian singer, and was the winner of the third season of Australian Idol in 2005. A former swimming teacher, Kate DeAraugo had auditioned for Australian Idol, in both the first (2003) and in the second season (2004), but didn't manage to make it past the audition stage of the competition. Since her first two auditions, DeAraugo had travelled from Bendigo, Victoria to the Gold Coast, Queensland for singing lessons with Vanetta Fields, finally moving to Queensland where she auditioned for the third season in 2005. On November 14, 2005 she beat Lee Harding to ensure her place in the grand final. DeAraugo's co-finalist was Emily Williams, making this the first all-girl final since the Australian show began in 2003. Williams was generally considered the favourite. On November 21, 2005, DeAraugo was announced the winner of Australian Idol 2005, during a live broadcast from the Sydney Opera House.