In the latest episode of Australian Idol, 21 aspiring performers advanced in their journey towards stardom as they faced the final judges’ challenge. Performing solo in front of a live audience, they displayed their raw talent and determination under the critical eyes of judges Marcia Hines, Kyle Sandilands, and Amy Shark.
While some contestants soared and secured their spots in the next round, others faced challenges under pressure but managed to scrape through to the Top 21:
• Amy Reeves, 24, Broome, WA
• Bethany Byrne, 28, Mooroolbark, VIC
• Chenai Boucher, 26, Seaford, VIC
• Denvah Baker-Moller, 23, Rockhampton, QLD
• Drea Onamade, 25, Perth, WA
• Dylan Wright, 30, Bangalow, NSW
• Imogen Spendlove, 23, Melbourne, VIC
• Isaac McCallum, 23, Ulladulla, NSW
• Ivana Ilic, 20, Mill Park, VIC
• Jackson Smith, 25, Werribee, VIC
• Jake Carlson, 20, Mernda, VIC
• Kiani Smith, 17, Bribie Island, QLD
• Kobe White, 24, Keysborough, VIC
• Kym Miaco, 28, Lightsview, SA
• Natasha Rose, 19, Moreton Bay, QLD
• Olivia Britton, 22, Wodonga, VIC
• Ripley Alexander, 19, Brisbane, QLD
• Saoirse Harding, 19, Gold Coast, QLD
• TJ Zimba, 24, Karratha, WA
• Trent Richardson, 22, Emu Park, QLD
• Tyler Hammill, 21, Sunshine Coast, QLD
Drea Onamade, Australian Idol 2024
Shark said: “I can see so many of these contestants on radio. All the artists feel very fresh. It’s really exciting. I do not know how we are going to get one Australian Idol out of this group, there is so much talent.”
Hines said: “The solo performance is for us to assess how the contestants work with the band for the first time and how they deal with the live audience. This is showbusiness, only the toughest have what it takes to survive.”
Sandilands added: “Anyone can talk the talk but when it comes to walking the walk, that is not so easy, and that is what we put the contestants through.”
Notable performances included Alexander’s, who impressed the judges with his rendition of Blondie’s Heart of Glass, and Baker-Moller who shone with her rendition of Coldplay’s Yellow. “Australia: this is what an Idol looks like,” said Shark.
Trent Richardson, Australian Idol 2024
Spendlove, a vocalist from Victoria, moved Marcia Hines to tears with her rendition of Phil Collins’ Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now). While Richardson, a camel farmer from Queensland, also impressed the judges with his rendition of Rihanna’s Stay.
Wright, a house painter and father from Northern Rivers received mixed reviews for his performance of Tina Arena’s Sorrento Moon.
The Top 21 now face transformation week, where they will compete for a spot in the Top 12.
See also: Everything you need to know about Australian Idol 2024