Far North Queensland student Royston Sagigi-Baira was crowned the Australian Idol 2023 winner after an electrifying live Grand Finale on March 27. The 23-year-old won a career-making contract with Sony Music and pocketed a cool $100k; however, the victory was much more poignant than the actual prize.
“I feel so grateful,” the singer told Mediaweek following his win. “It feels almost like a dream I haven’t woken up from yet. I just feel like I haven’t soaked it in at all. It just feels so crazy. I feel like it’s the first day of the rest of my life.”
“It was just so humbling because I opened up a lot about my life, my struggles, and it was really scary being vulnerable. I didn’t know how Australia was going to take me, but luckily, they just
welcomed me with open arms and embraced me as an individual.”
Sagigi-Baira also opened up about his schooling, saying he had been bullied at school for being different. In fact, he didn’t even tell anyone at a High School for a whole year that he could sing!
“It was so important for me,” he continued. “But not only just for me, for any real person that has been bullied for whatever reason and been stopped from shining through their uniqueness and their authentic selves.
“And I just wanted to say that this is a testament for anyone that has ever had trials and tribulations through the journey of following their dream, that you can make it and just keep going.”
Royston revealed where the prize-money would be going
While the prize money is life-changing for him, Sagigi-Baira said he will put it to good use in his community.
“I definitely want to be able to use most of it on the music and be able to try and push myself after the show and really make an imprint in the music industry in Australia,” he admitted. “I want to use it for that but also, I want it to go into communities and do workshops with the rural ones and the young people and I would love some of it to go into the community and do music workshops.”
During the finale, the Queenslander had the largest support team in the audience by far, plus a Zoomed-in crew from his hometown, filled to the brim with family and friends.
“It meant everything,” he said. “The love I felt and having them supporting me. It is always lovely to have your family and friends cheering you on. They all had signs and they were amazing. It just really meant everything.”
Beating out runner-up 15-year-old Phoebe Stewart and second runner-up 20-year-old Josh Hannan, Sagigi-Baira was overwhelmed by the prospect of becoming this year’s Idol.
“Unfortunately, it’s a competition,” he said. “But the thing about it is that the environment was so nice. Everyone was rooting for each other. Everyone was just really lovely. There were no divas in the group or anything like that. It was just awesome.”
As humble as he appeared on screen, the vocalist praised his fellow Grand Finalists, saying that he couldn’t pick between the two, if he had to choose one to win instead of him.
“They’re both so talented and deserve to be seen,” he said.
Royston Sagigi-Baira was praised for his consistent song choice
Throughout the competition, Sagigi-Baira was praised for his song choice, including a chance to sing I Won’t Let You Go by James Morrison during the March 5 episode of the show.
The song “meant everything” to him, especially because he sang it at his mother’s funeral. The judges complimented him for showing his raw and vulnerable side and his resonation with the audience. And his new single, Invincible, also has a special meaning.
“It really followed my journey of trying to follow my dreams,” he admitted before adding that it also pointed out “the trials and tribulations that come with that.”
“Right now, that’s kind of the route I want to go. I want to sing songs that are empowering and inspiring and uplifting and, Invincible is one of those songs.”
Royston Sagigi-Baira’s hopes for the future
As for his future, Sagigi-Baira will sit down with his new record label and nut out what happens next.
“Sometime in the future, I definitely want to head over to America and work with industry people over there. I’m so excited. I can’t believe I get the opportunity to do that. This is such a dream and I’m just so grateful for Australia for believing in me. But for now, here I am. I’m the winner.”
Watch all episodes of Australian Idol on 7plus, now.