Chanel Cole
Chanel Cole (born Chanel Cole Whalley) was born in Hamilton on 13 November 1977, and now resides in Australia. Leaving Hamilton at an early age, she went to high school in Gisborne, worked at Gisborne radio station 2ZG, before attending jazz school in Christchurch. In 2000 she left New Zealand for England NZ, and moved to Australia 3 years later. Coles' main musical claim to fame was being a finalist in the second season of Australian Idol in 2004, being eliminated from the competition on 25 October having reached fifth place. In 2005 she collaborated with Brisbane-based electronica duo Statler & Waldorf under the name Spook.
Cole is one of two finalists from the Australian Idol competition from Hamilton, the other being 2009 winner Stan Walker.
