It's Gonna Be A Hot Summer on SameSame.com.au

He was runner-up in Australia’s first season of hit series So You Think You Can Dance? but Rhys Bobridge is anything but a sore loser. He doesn’t just think he can dance, we get the impression Rhys thinks he can do just about anything. And we agree. This jack-of-all-trades is set to heat up your summer.

While there’s no denying Rhys’ talent, this confident guy is far from cocky. Wowing audiences with the way he moves, he also charms fans with his generous smile and relaxed attitude, qualities that had many screaming “he’s my favourite!” and saw Bobridge come a close second on the Channel 10 reality show.

So, what now for the boy who charmed us all? Rhys’ new single Hot Summer has had the Same Same crew all bopping in our seats, and the rising star reckons he’s good for a Mardi Gras performance or whatever challenges people feel like throwing at him.

Like many of the dancers from Dance Rhys has his fingers in a few pies and singing really isn’t anything new. While the electro-pop style of new single Hot Summer differs a little from his stint as a children’s entertainer for the ARIA nominated group The Fairies, Bobridge is a man who knows what he likes, and what he doesn’t. He cites his influences as Björk and Basement Jaxx, as well as Madonna for her performances and Janet Jackson for the dance routines he used to learn off-by-heart – and of course, he’s not a huge fan of country – “except for Dolly!”

While the music industry is known for packaging, producing and churning out ‘stars’, Bobridge is in the game out of a genuine love of performing. “I’m still learning about what I can get away with, what I can push for and what I need to shut up about,” he says, before adding that he’s glad that he came runner-up. “I feel like I won. I did everything I could possibly do, I’m so happy with where I’m going now and I couldn’t ask for more.”

When our conversation turns to the recent Australian Idol winner Wes Carr, Rhys says that he’s glad he’s got the freedom to explore other parts of his career, rather than being tied to a contract or agreement that a winner of a show like Idol would be expected to adhere to. He’s thrilled to be part of a flurry of new entertainers who are out and proud, from Sam Sparro to the boys from hit rock-band Faker, even the The Presets’ flirtatious affair with homo culture. “I’m excited to be a part of an evolving music scene where sexuality is maybe even a little career help and not a hindrance.”

And I must say, the make-up wearing, stylishly dressed entertainer is a welcome addition to the gay renaissance in pop culture. It was Rhys’ wild aesthetic that first caught my gaze and kept it – crazy eye-shadow, killer dress sense, a self-confessed king of accessorising and great hair made him stand out against the others. When asked about his style Rhys laughs and says he likes to flirt with the ‘grey areas’ of life and definitely enjoys pushing buttons and boundaries.

And boundaries he does push. Drag is another area where Rhys can say “been there, done that… and well”. Performing with the likes of Courtney Act and gaining a cult following since his first performance at the age of 16, Rhys is better known in his adopted home-town of Melbourne for his drag persona Regime Dettol. And according to him the drag industry is an artform that doesn’t get enough credit, even within the scene.

“I was always directly up front about it ‘yeah, I’m doing a drag show,’” he says on telling guys he met about his performances. “Some of them didn’t appreciate it. Even within gay culture there’s a stigma attached to playing with gender as performance. There’s this whole feminine-masculine ideal, but it’s not all black and white and I think we should be a bit more understanding of that in our culture.”

When Rhys appeared on Rove not long ago he was asked why he didn’t include Regime on the TV show. His reply – the bitch didn’t fit in his suitcase.

But if you missed out on seeing her in Melbourne, Regime isn’t gone for good. Bobridge says one of his upcoming singles will reference his former self as well as the personas and characters we all play in life. “So, you never know, she may very well make an appearance in the future.”

When it comes to the support he received during the show, Rhys says he was shocked. “I was getting my watch fixed the other day, and this blokey bloke behind the counter was just like ‘how’s the dancing going?’ It’s moments like that that make you realise it’s not that bad, things are changing, which is great. It’s a great feeling to have people respond to me being myself, whatever that may be, and being cool with that.”

Rhys says that this acceptance may have had something to do with his dad appearing on the show. Another ‘blokey-bloke’, Rhys says his dad is a bit of an outsider himself, “sometimes people don’t get his sense of humour”, and while there are lots of differences between them, there are also plenty of similarities. “Dad has always been proud of me and has accepted me for who I am. I love him, and he gets me.”

A self-confessed ‘attention whore’ “like most performers are!” Rhys is determined to put on outstanding, memorable shows, extravaganzas along the lines of a Kylie tour. And while that particular opportunity may be off in the distance, Rhys says he can’t wait. He’s already perfecting an album to be released next year and Channel 10 has picked up Hot Summer as its anthem for the season. Keep your eye on this boy’s singing career, and anything else he decides to try, because it’s sure to be done well.

Just don’t ask him to tap dance. He confesses it’s one style he just never mastered. “But if you give me a pair of tap shoes I’d do a pretty good job of faking it.”

Watch the clip for Rhys’ new single Hot Summer: