Oops: Davin Griffiths-Jones’ acting ability let him down in episode 7 of I Will Survive. ‘‘We had to write a monologue in 15 minutes and then go into the song you had already picked,’’ he said.
Traffic stoppers: This week the guys headed to Port Augusta where they were joined by guest judge, Emmy and Golden Globe-winning actress Toni Collette. On the waterfront they performed It’s Raining Men by The Weather Girls. Davin Griffiths-Jones is pictured third from left.
It was bye-bye Britney Fierce on Wednesday. We are, of course, talking about Winston Hills dance teacher Davin Griffiths-Jones and his drag persona in the reality television competition I Will Survive which, in its own way, has ‘‘given him a sign’’.
‘‘I realised how pretty I looked as a girl,’’ he said.
‘‘I think now people will expect me to come out as Britney Fierce in my [dance school’s stage] show Priscilla to Moulin Rouge.’’
He said he was seriously considering including her in his show, which features hits from Australian movie musicals including Priscilla.
Far from being disappointed with his elimination from I Will Survive, Griffiths-Jones said he was ‘‘actually quite relieved because our hours were insane and the pressure and stress was getting to me".
‘‘There are some contestants who really wanted it, but for me ... not so much,’’ he told the Sun.
Griffiths-Jones was one of 12 contestants on the show, which searches for Australia’s ultimate triple threat – industry speak for a skilled dancer, singer and actor.
Contestants sing, dance and act for resident judges Jason Donovan and Stephan Elliott, famous for directing the monster hit musical film Priscilla.
‘‘I’m a reality TV addict and I knew there had to be a villain character and I sort of took on that role and was always saying things that I knew would ruffle some feathers,’’ Griffiths-Jones said.
‘‘Critiquing people’s performances, how they dance and sing, but never personally attacking them.
‘‘A lot of people are telling me I suit reality TV, that I should have my own reality show, but I’m not sure what will happen.
‘‘I’m getting recognised so much, it’s unbelievable.
‘‘I think it’s the hair — I’m ‘that guy’.
‘‘I also got a lot of air time on the show.’’
Not surprisingly, the 31-year-old lists his hair straightener as his prized possession, as well as his three dogs.
‘‘I would still like to do a show like The Amazing Race or Celebrity Apprentice because you won’t be as worried that people are judging you on what you do for a living,’’ he said.
Asked about his favourite travel destination on I Will Survive, he chose Broken Hill.
‘‘We stayed in the same hotel where Priscilla was filmed and we were getting our make-up done in the Priscilla suite,’’ he said.
So who will ‘‘survive’’?
‘‘Now that I’m watching it on TV [he arrived home two months ago], I really do think Tom [Sharah] deserves it, because he is different,’’ Griffiths-Jones said.
He said keeping the winner’s name secret had been difficult.
‘‘I’m pretty good at keeping secrets but it’s been hard not telling my students because they keep asking,’’ he said.
Griffiths-Jones first rocketed to stardom on Ten’s Star Search when he was 10.
He was recognised as an Australian child prodigy, whose career took him across the globe to perform.
Then, he opened the Davin Griffiths-Jones School of Performing Arts in his home town of Winston Hills when he was just 19.
I Will Survive airs on Ten on Tuesdays from 7.30pm.