Anthony Callea (born December 13, 1982 in Melbourne, Australia) is a singer. His background is Italian.

Callea began entering talent contests as a child, and trained with the Johnny Young Talent School. He auditioned and was selected for the final 30 in the television series Australian Idol in 2004. Based on viewer votes, he did not make it through the first round of competition but was invited back as a "Judge's Choice Wildcard." His performance on that occasion earned him a place in the final 12.

Over the weeks of the competition his popularity with the Australian public grew, although he was frequently criticised by the judges who gave him the nickname "Mr Plastic Fantastic" and accused him of frequently taking the easy way out in his performances, which they said were often "cheesey".

During his run on the show, he gave several performances that earned him high praise from the judges, including Simon & Garfunkel's "Bridge Over Troubled Water", Foreigner's "I Wanna Know What Love Is" and Andrea Bocelli and Céline Dion's duet "The Prayer." Judge Ian Dickson said Callea's performance of the latter was the finest he had seen during his two years with the show.

The competition concluded in November 2004 with Callea runner up to Casey Donovan.

Callea was immediately signed to BMG Records with an album scheduled for release in early 2005. His debut single, his cover version of "The Prayer" was released in December 2004 and debuted on the Australian singles chart at number one, remaining at the top spot for five weeks straight. Within seven weeks, it had become the highest-selling Australian single of all time, selling over four times Platinum. He then followed up with the double A-side single "Rain/Bridge Over Troubled Water" the week before Easter, which also debuted at number 1. His debut self-titled album, Anthony Callea , also debuted at number 1, on the week of 4 April 2005.

Songs performed by Anthony Callea on Australian Idol (2004)

• Audition - "Wishes" - Human Nature
• Top 30 - "Angels" - Robbie Williams
• Wildcard - "The Reason" - Hoobastank
• Top 12 - "Heaven Knows" - Rick Price , (Australian Made)
• Top 11 - "Ignition" - R. Kelly, (Pop Night)
• Top 10 - "Gimme Some Lovin" - Spencer Davis Group, (60's Night)
• Top 9 - "Carwash" - Rose Royce, (Disco Night)
• Top 8 - "The Prayer" Andrea Bocelli & Céline Dion, (Idol's Choice)
• Top 7 - "I Saw Her Standing There" - The Beatles, (The Beatles' Night)
• Top 6 - "I Want To Know What Love Is" - Foreigner (80's Night)
• Top 5 - Perfect Fan (Up Close and Personal Special) and "Back At One" - Brian McKnight, (R'n'B Night)
• Top 4 - "Fever" and "Route 66", (Big Band Night)
• Top 3 - "Hold The Line" - Toto and "Bridge Over Troubled Water" - Simon & Garfunkel (70's Night)
• Top 2 - "Listen With Your Heart" - Diane Warren song, to be the winner's debut single, "Walking Away" - Craig David and "Glory Of Love" - Peter Cetera

External links

• Official website
• Callea University (Fan Forum)