The year 2003 had more than a fair share of action in store for Niddl. After her elimination from "Starmania" she followed Michael Tschuggnall's invitation to enjoy the sun of California with him and Boris Uran and Christina Stürmer, who followed them a couple of days later. Back home again she was part of the "Starmania Tour", that took the twelve Starmaniacs across the nation. It was a huge success!
With that kind of momentum she wrote countless autographs, had her picture taken a million times with ever-changing hairstyles and outfits, played gigs, took part in charity events, created her own brand of t-shirts, even tried the casting for the "Grease" musical in New York. What a spring! Not at all surprisingly, those stressful times put a heavy strain on her private relationships. Her friendship with Christina Stürmer, who was at least equally busy, did not survive.
In June, Niddl's single "Perfect Attitude" was released. The b-track, "I don't wanna be your friend", was composed by the great Diane Warren. However, there was virtually no airplay at all. The next month, Hannes Eder, the new boss of Universal Austria, said on television, he didn't know Niddl. Clearly the record company concentrated their support on Christina, leaving the rest out in the cold. Subsequently, the contract with Universal was cancelled.
Despite the lack of support, her single climbed to position nine in the Austrian charts, which earned her a nomination for the "Amadeus Award" in 2004.
On the brighter side, Niddl found an ally in Daniel Küblböck, a singer with an equally dazzling personality from Bavaria. Although they seemed to get on really well together, his approach to singing was a bit 'different'.
At the end of the year she started her job as "Dr. Niddl", giving advice in matters of love and sex in "Xpress", Austria's most popular magazine for young people. That column is still in print in 2007.
After the hype of the casting show had died down, her life as a musician in a small country was not exactly easy. But she would not give up...
Music: Niddl, "I don't wanna be your friend"
