Anya Hynninen’s Australian Idol journey ended on March 20 when 23-year-old Royston Sagigi-Baira, Phoebe Stewart and Josh Hannan secured their place in the Top Three.
After performing It’s a Man’s Man’s World by James Brown, Hynninen and Sagigi-Baira were told that only one would make it to the March 26 Grand Finale.
“I knew,” the 20-year-old told Mediaweek after her elimination, adding that she was sure she was going home. “I was thinking more about what I was going to have for dinner!”
Once the verdict was announced, Hynninen pointed out that “more important for others to be here”. Judge Harry Connick Jr quickly pointed out that she also deserved a spot on the Idol stage, telling the Selby local she had to believe in herself; however, the singer said he “misinterpreted” what she was saying.
“I was talking about representation,” she said. “It’s important that Royston be here. It’s important for his community…I was fine to put my ego out of the way if it meant he could make it to the Top Three, so his community has someone to aspire to. He’s a beautiful, beautiful person, and that is more important to me than winning.”
Anya Hynninen and Royston Sagigi-Baira. 7.
Anya Hynninen was “shocked” that Amali Dimond was sent home and felt the pressure was “unfair”
Another surprise of the evening saw 16-year-old Amali Dimond sent home from the competition, something that was not only surprising to her fellow cast-mate, but also to the young performer herself.
“I think like it was a shock to her as well, it was a shock to me,” Hynninen said. “She had so much support, and I also felt bad that they had put all this pressure on her to win or to be in the top three. I just felt really bad for her because it felt like they were taking their foot off the pedal.”
While Dimond was certainly a powerhouse, the judges time and time again told the youngster that she was a “star”, with judge Kyle Sandilands even saying that Calvin Harris’ manager was interested in her; however, Hynninen said “production” let her down.
“When I think about the singers, I think about how they are shown on TV,” she said. “And I think they really pushed for her to win. I felt bad that whenever they said this, it would just put so much pressure on her and they’re just babies and they have all this life to live.”
Amali Dimond. Source: 7.
Anya Hynninen said her point of difference was greater than her pink hair
Hynninen wowed the judges from her very first audition when she was accompanied by her stepfather Bernard on the guitar but alongside her vocals, it was her unique look that judge Meghan Trainor applauded.
While it certainly stands out, her point of difference goes far beyond the literal sense.
“When I was allowed to have the time to make arrangements [on the show] that made quite a difference. I used to completely dissect songs and I think, interpret lyrics in a different way. I’m only 20 but I’ve had my heartbroken, I live out of home with my partner. It’s like a whole other level of maturity.
“We really lost so much control over arrangements at the pointy end of the competition.”
The Australian Idol Grand Finale airs on Sunday, March 26 at 7.00 pm on 7 and 7Plus.