Bardot

Australia entered the new millenium watching the "reality" television series 'Popstars', a concept "borrowed" from New Zealand where over the course of 13 weeks the cameras took viewers "behind the scenes" through the auditions, selection and grooming of a Spice Girls style pop group. With the support of the Seven network, women's magazine New Idea and the Austereo radio network maximum media attention was assured. As the series unfolded it had become one of the top rating programs of the week.

There was a slight hitch when the final five girls were announced. One of the selected girls was dumped and replaced, the circumstances kept under wraps. So much for "reality" television. Once the selection was made the series watched the five girls sharing a house, coming up with a name (after screen icon Brigette Bardot) and evolving their own "identities".

The concept also had the complete support of Warner Brothers Records, with one of their chief executives acting as the program's main judge and then guiding the winners through the recording sessions and the making of their first video. Warners had also arranged management with Grant Thomas Management, former Crowded House managers.

By that time the nation had fallen into two camps, those who saw the whole thing as a cynical media exercise, and those who loved the series and its results. The girls walked into a minefield of industry scorn as well as instant stardom. The much-exposed first single 'Poison' went straight to No.1, the first time an Australian act had entered at the top with its first single. Three weeks later their self-titled album entered the charts at number one. Subsequent singles from the album brought Bardot back to the pack, achieving Top 20 success only, and the group extended its fan base into New Zealand and Asia.

Some of the other girls who missed out on final selection also had their moments in the spotlight, one set of girls appearing on TV's Good News Week as the Poptarts, while another set of signed a recording contract with Festival as Tatu, releasing the single 'Imperfect Girl', which sank without a trace. Dorothy from Tatu tried out and missed out again for the second Australian Popstars series which produced Scandal'us.

Bardot in the meantime scored more Australian hits, achieved significant success in Asia, and in early 2001 made a walk-on appearance on the British Popstars series which produced Hear'Say.

Bardot in the meantime scored more Australian hits, achieved significant success in Asia, and in early 2001 made a walk-on appearance on the British Popstars series which produced Hear'Say. Katie Underwood announced her departure in May 01. In April 02 Bardot's record company, Warner Music, released a statement saying group members had "cited the need for a well-earned break following what has been a phenomenal two-and-a-half year explosion on the Australian music scene".