Australian Idol on Channel 7 – Meet the Australian Idol Top 21. Judges blown away by raw talent.
Tonight on Australian Idol: 21 performers moved one step closer to their dream as the final judges’ challenge – performing solo in front of a live audience – separated the singers from the stars.
Judges Marcia Hines, Kyle Sandilands and Amy Shark were blown away, with Amy saying: “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.”
Marcia acknowledged: “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.”
Kyle agreed: “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.”
While some contestants soared, immediately advancing to the next round, others struggled with the pressure and scraped through to the Top 21 after being put on notice.
Nineteen-year-old Ripley Alexander from Fernvale, QLD, cemented his Top 21 spot with Blondie’s Heart of Glass, taking note of the judges’ feedback to tap into his emotional side.
Amy said: “I feel like you looked into my soul.”
House painter and doting dad Dylan Wright, 30, from Northern Rivers, NSW, could do no wrong in the eyes of Marcia and Amy. Kyle, however, worried that his take on Tina Arena’s Sorrento Moon “was technically perfect but…gets so boring.”
Amy called out Kyle’s grumpiness as Dylan moved straight through to the Top 21.
Rockhampton country queen Denvah Baker-Moller, 23, shone with her rendition of Yellow by Coldplay. Amy called her voice “iconic” noting: “Australia: this is what an Idol looks like.”
Twenty-two-year-old Queensland camel farmer Trent Richardson stepped outside his comfort zone with Rihanna’s Stay, impressing Kyle who said: “A six-foot-three cowboy singing a Rhianna song; it doesn’t get any more fair dinkum than that!”
Powerhouse Victorian vocalist Imogen Spendlove, 23, made Marcia tear up with her “better than the original” version of Phil Collins ballad Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now).
Karratha’s TJ Zimba, 24, proved he could work a crowd like a stadium star with Airplanes by B.o.B.
Supermarket worker Isaac McCallum, 23, from Ulladulla, NSW, survived his stumbles to advance in the competition. Kyle noted: “When you shine and when you’re on I love watching you, but then you get the speed wobbles, like a trolley with a bung wheel.”
Marcia added: “If you act like you deserve this everyone will believe it.”
Four other artists – 25-year-old Jackson Smith, 28-year-old Bethany Byrne, 22-year-old Olivia Britton, and the youngest in the competition, 17-year-old Kiani Smith – advanced after being put on notice for their solo performances.
During a tough Top 30 week, Australian Idol said goodbye to Cynthia Negash, Jonathan Wells, Jess Chalmers, Billy Menhennet and Gab Hester from Victoria; as well as Prayer Corby from the Northern Territory; Eli Parr, Jet Cameron from Brisbane; and Jesse Lazaroo from WA.
Sunday night: Prepare for epic performances and serious glow-ups as Australian Idol’s transformation week sees the Top 21 fight for a spot in the Top 12.
Australian Idol on Channel 7 and 7plus – Sunday 18 February at 7.00pm
The Australian Idol 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
About the Show
Idol is calling. Australian Idol returns Monday, 29 January. This is where stars are made: welcome to Australian Idol!
Twenty-one years after Guy Sebastian pipped Shannon Noll to become Australia’s first Idol, the international star-making sensation returns to Seven and 7 and 7plus for a second big season on Monday, 29 January.
Radio king Kyle Sandilands and TV WEEK Logie Award winner and acclaimed singer Amy Shark will be joined by a new judge: Australian Idol OG and pop legend Marcia Hines. The trio will traverse the country to find the next Guy, Casey or Royston.
Set to be the toughest season yet, with only room for the best of the best, the judges are looking for the complete package: a singer with the sound and style to woo the nation.
Excited to be unearthing Australia’s next singing superstar, Marcia is looking for a strong, pure and melodic voice “that makes the hairs on your body stand up,” regardless of the genre.
The celebrated singer is also looking forward to re-joining Kyle and Amy on the judges’ desk following her guest judging role on the series last year.
“I consider Kyle a good friend and Amy is one-in-a-million and a real individual, without trying to be. Also, Kyle’s a Gemini, Amy’s a Taurus, and I’m the Cancerian in the mix and those three star signs get along very nicely.”
Returning to the Idol judges’ desk for his sixth season, Kyle admits there’s no definitive formula for the ultimate performer, but they have a presence and energy that’s hard to ignore: “The ultimate performer is someone that you admire for their talent, and they’ve got a little swagger or a pizzazz about them that just makes them stand out from the crowd.”
Amy added:
“I’m usually blown away if someone can potentially showcase their personality, voice, style and direction in the space of 10 minutes and leave me wanting more. If I want to learn more about you, I’m interested.”
During their audition, contestants will be on the hunt to score a Golden Ticket to progress to the next round, but with just 30 Golden Tickets across the whole auditions, only the most talented performers will claim their coveted spot in the Top 30.
A global success since 2001, the Idol franchise has launched the celebrated careers of Aussie hitmakers including Guy Sebastian, Jessica Mauboy, Matt Corby, Ricki-Lee, Anthony Callea, Stan Walker, Casey Donovan and Courtney Act.
International music icons Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Hudson and Adam Lambert also launched their brilliant careers on the Idol stage.
Australian Idol is hosted by multiplatinum-selling, ARIA Award nominated singer-songwriter Ricki-Lee – who was discovered on Australian Idol in 2004 – and internationally renowned entertainment presenter and former E! host Scott Tweedie.
Media Release – Seven
Australian Idol on Channel 7
TV Central Seven content HERE