Australian Idol on Channel 7 top 6 revealed – Top 6 keep the Australian Idol dream alive. Charlie and Simela eliminated.
Tonight, Charlie Moon and Simela Petridis were eliminated after Australia voted to decide the Australian Idol Top 6 on Seven and 7plus.
Ahead of the verdict, the Top 8 gathered on stage for one final time with an electrifying group performance of Golden by HUNTR/X.
Hosts Ricki-Lee and Scott Tweedie then announced that four artists with the lowest votes from each performance show were at risk of elimination.
Kalani Artis, 23, from the Central Coast NSW; singing skier Kesha Oayda, 21, from Jindabyne; singing schoolteacher Simela Petridis, 31, from SA; and big-voiced soul singer Charlie Moon, 31, from WA landed in the bottom four.
Harlan Goode,18, from QLD, was excluded from the public vote after the judges sent him straight to the Top 6 following his spectacular performance of Queen’s Somebody To Love in Sunday’s performance show.
Judges Marcia Hines, Kyle Sandilands and Amy Shark expressed shock at Australia’s verdict.
Marcia was speechless, while Kyle admitted they were all “fantastic” but reflected “it’s the nature of the contest”.
Amy noted: “It’s sad for us. I love watching these guys perform every week, but it’s exciting that they have shown the country what they are capable of. No matter what happens, we know how great they are.”
Amy added: “This is on another level. We have some insane talent.”
The bottom four performed solo one final time, aiming to prove they belonged in the competition.
Kesha put a beautiful, emotive spin on Girls Just Want To Have Fun by Cyndi Lauper, while Simela’s vocals soared on I’m Like a Bird by Nelly Furtado.
Charlie lifted the vibes and had the crowd and judges on their feet with Isn’t She Lovely by Stevie Wonder, while Kalani brought his signature vocals to Breakeven by The Script.
A relieved Kesha was safe from elimination, with Kyle jumping out of his seat to celebrate after confessing earlier, while he wasn’t allowed to have favourites, Kesha was his admitting: “I did say she’s my favourite, so the cat’s out of the bag.”
On progressing to the Top 6, Kesha said: “I don’t have any words that can describe the feeling, thank you from the bottom of my heart. I’m so excited to show you more.”
Kalani’s relief was visible: “I keep getting closer and closer to my goal. I don’t know how I can show the love but thank you.”
After her elimination, an emotional Simela shared: “I’m going to try not to cry. Thank you so much for all the support and the love back home,
She added: “To all the mums out there, don’t stop dreaming.”
Amy said: “You were so fantastic from the second we met you. This is a really hard part of the competition; you are just so talented. You’ve got a whole bright future ahead of you.”
Kyle added: “You won’t be forgotten. You belong on that stage.”
Charlie reflected: “I’m so thankful to be a part of this journey” as he expressed thanks to his fellow contestants, family and friends and everyone behind the scenes.
“This has meant the world to me. I have been dreaming of this since Guy Sebastian won in 2003.”
Kyle praised his final performance, sharing: “I love you, that was magical, you own the energy,” while Marcia admired his “lovely soul” and special voice.
Amy expressed: “From day one with the orange beanie, you were so open about your story. I can’t wait to hear an album of yours.”
Kyle added: “We are going to miss you.”
Former Australian Idol winner Dylan Wright also returned to the stage with an inspiring performance of his new single Those Nights.
The Australian Idol 2026 Top 6:
· Harlan Goode, 18, Brisbane, QLD
· Jacinta Guirguis, 25, Bacchus Marsh, VIC
· John Standley, 17, Bunbury, WA
· Kalani Artis, 23, Central Coast, NSW
· Kesha Oayda, 21, Jindabyne, NSW
· Trè Samuels, 26, Melbourne, VIC
The winner will receive $100,000 in prize money, an exclusive recording package with Hive Sound Studios, attend a songwriting camp with Sony Music Publishing, marketing and social media support from The Annex, VIP tickets to the ARIA Awards and TV WEEK Logie Awards and the esteemed title of Australian Idol 2026.
Australian Idol – Continues 7.30 Monday and Tuesday on Seven and 7plus
Listen to Australian Idol performances HERE
TV Central Seven content HERE
Recap | Australian Idol on Channel 7 top 6 revealed
