Australian Idol on Channel 7 – Dylan Wright wins Australian Idol. Father of two from NSW takes crown.
Tonight, the nation chose Dylan Wright from Northern Rivers, NSW as its Australian Idol during a night of breathtaking live television on Channel 7 and 7plus.
Dylan was in disbelief as hosts Ricki-Lee and Scott Tweedie announced the 31-year-old had won the crown, a recording contract with industry giant Sony Music Entertainment Australia, plus $100,000 in prize money.
The father of two acknowledged cementing his place in Australian Idol history was life-changing. Overwhelmed, he said: “Thank you. I’m about to cry.”
Holding tears at bay, Dylan took to the stage to perform his winners single Paper Heart.
Dylan praised his wife Georgia and children – 4-year-old Piper and 1-year-old Rivi – admitting: “If I didn’t have them to ground me, I would be lost.”
Judges Kyle Sandilands, Marcia Hines and Amy Shark acknowledged Dylan’s star power from his very first audition.
Kyle, who has shed tears during Dylan’s previous performances, said: “The whole country is in love with you, you are fantastic. You are truly remarkable and a decent human being. You deserve it.”
Amy added: “You are Australian Idol. It is so your turn Dylan. I’m so happy for you.”
From thousands of hopefuls, Dylan and his fellow Top 3 members – 25-year-old Amy from Broome and 24-year-old Denvah from Rockhampton – made a monumental mark on the country with their unique sound, style, and star power.
The show opened with a celebratory performance of You Get What You Give with Grand Final stars Amy, Denvah and Dylan, supported by the returning members of the Top 12.
The Grand Finalists then returned to the stage to perform their chosen solo song before Ricki-Lee and Scott announced Denvah from Rockhampton had secured the least viewer votes and would leave the competition.
After departing the show, Denvah said: “I am nothing but happy. I’m so blessed to have done what I’ve done I’m happy.”
The judges were in full admiration of the quirky country star’s talent.
Marcia said: “You hold a large piece of Australia’s heart.”
Amy added: “I think you are going to go on tour after this. I want to work with you, I am such a fan.”
In a full circle moment, Dylan and Amy then took to the stage to reprise their incredible audition songs.
Amy was announced runner up in the competition after her breathtaking performance of Aretha Franklin’s (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman.
Amy said: “A couple of weeks ago, no-one knew who I was. This experience has opened so many doors for me. I feel like I’ve grown up somehow in this competition.”
Kyle declared Amy: “A true superstar” and “beautiful person.”
Dylan returned to the stage with a poignant performance of his original audition song Better Be Home Soon by Crowded House, before Australia crowned the former house painter Australian Idol 2024.
Aussie superstar Delta Goodrem also took to the stage with her incredible new single Hearts on the Run.
Australian Idol on Channel 7 and 7plus
Australian Idol on Channel 7
Australian Idol on Channel 7
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
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