Australian Idol has unveiled the Top 12 following the final night of Transformation Week.
Over three nights, the contestants stunned with impressive makeovers and serious vocal power, delivering performances to prove why they belong in the Top 12.
Judges Kyle Sandilands, Marcia Hines and Amy Shark were allocated one fast pass each to advance someone directly to the Top 12, despite what their fellow judges thought.
Imogen Spendlove, 23 from Victoria, knocked it out of the park and secured Hines’ fast pass with her performance of From This Moment On by Shania Twain.
Supermarket worker Isaac McCallum, 23 from Ulladulla, NSW, was left in tears after Shark’s awarded the “underdog” her fast pass for his performance of Say You Won’t Let Go by James Arthur.
Shark said: “To see you shine tonight is so incredible. We need to protect people like you. You are such a superstar.”
Australian Idol 2024 Top 12
After Sandiland’s harsh words following the trolley pushers’ recent stumbles, he told Issac: “That was excellent. I love your voice. You’ve got a gift… My wife said to me when we were watching the show back ‘oh nice empathy’ when I had a go at you for forgetting the words.
“You and I have something in common, the homelessness. I forget sometimes how invisible we want to feel when we’re there. You want to shrink into the smallest thing. You don’t want to be noticed, you don’t want to speak, you just want to live.”
Sandilands continued: “You do have something special we want to hear what you have to say. Don’t be quiet don’t be nervous just be you, you did a great job.”
Grateful, McCallum said: “Thank you for allowing me to come this far in the competition, I love you guys. Thank you for all the support.”
Sandilands used his fast pass to ensure 21-year-old Sunshine Coast surfer Tyler Hammill progressed in the competition, after his performance of Waves by Dean Lewis fell short of his best.
Kiani Smith, 17, from Bribie Island, Queensland, stepped out of her comfort zone performing without her guitar. She said: “I want to show the judges age doesn’t stop me,” before her rendition of Fleetwood Mac’s Rhiannon received a standing ovation and Hines called it “spellbinding.”
TJ Zimba makes it through to Australian Idol Top 12
Hip-hop star TJ Zimba’s mesmerising take on Justin Bieber’s Peaches had the crowd chanting his name as the 24-year-old from Karratha, WA, revealed: “Being different is not a set back at all, it’s a superpower.”
While the judges agreed TJ still has work to do on his vocals, Sandilands called him a “genius.” Shark said “you blew my mind … I could watch you all night.”
After making the Top 12, a shocked TJ fell to his knees: “I don’t cry, this is crazy… I really wanted to show people like me can do what I do and show that you need to stop ignoring WA because no one comes to us, no one gives us opportunities and today that changes!”
Amy Reeves, 24, from Broome, WA, delivered a breathtaking rendition of Aretha Franklin’s Think, leaving the judges impressed. Especially taken was Marcia, who noted “the show must go on,” after Amy revealed she was unwell in the lead up to her performance.
Sandilands said: “If I wasn’t on this show, I would sign you to a 10-million-dollar deal immediately.”
Australian Idol’s Top 12 have collaborated to release a soulful rendition of George Michael’s iconic Freedom! ’90, available to stream or download here from Friday, 23 February.
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Top image: Australian Idol 2024 Top 12