Sing out sister

There was a boisterous crowd, high camp and even a John Travolta moment from Dicko, but ultimately the night belonged to one woman.

Bern Sokol (pictured) became the first-ever Lesbian Idol at Fox Studios on Friday night, beating seven other hopefuls to take the crown.

Sokol was the last contestant to take to the stage before a thousand-strong grand final crowd. She followed performances from across the musical spectrum, including a Christina Aguilera number, tunes by the Divinyls and, perhaps inevitably, Gloria Gaynor.

But with nary a k.d. lang ditty in sight, it was 28-year-old Sokol’s take on Michael Jackson’s Man In The Mirror and Bj?s It’s Oh So Quiet that stole the show.

Dicko, on the Dikes On Mikes judging panel, called Sokol a cross between Avril Lavigne, Hanson and Meat Loaf, adding that the eventual winner could be an Idol not only for the lesbian community but for the whole country.

Sokol’s triumph followed Dicko’s own appearance on stage, when he performed a half-time number from Grease with MC Denise Hanlon.

For Sokol, victory came as something of a surprise. When I won, I just couldn’t believe it, the Newtown resident told Sydney Star Observer.

And the result is still sinking in for the Lesbian Idol, who will make her first trip overseas for a promotional tour to the US in March.

I feel like this is so insane! said Sokol, who will also release a single and perform on a best-of-Dikes On Mikes CD. It still hasn’t properly hit me.

Before her US trip, Sokol will perform as Lesbian Idol for the first time at cabaret night Velvet on Saturday 26 February, before a possible turn at the Mardi Gras party on Saturday 5 March.

Meanwhile, a second series of Dikes On Mikes is planned for July, and aspirants would do well to heed the inaugural winner’s advice. Just be yourself and have fun, don’t stress about it. If it’s meant to be, it will be, Sokol said.

Velvet is on Saturday 26 February at @Newtown, 52 Enmore Rd, Newtown, at 8pm. Tickets cost $30, plus booking fee. Book on 9550 3666 or at www.moshtix.com.au