Tonight, a bombshell result saw Ripley Alexander and Imogen Spendlove depart Australian Idol after the nation voted for their Top 10 contestants.
Across Australia, 1.3 million votes were cast, but only a handful separated the bottom four: Ripley, 19, from Brisbane; Imogen, 23 from Victoria; Ivana Ilic, 20, from Victoria; and Karratha’s 24-year-old, TJ Zimba.
Before hosts Ricki-Lee and Scott Tweedie revealed how Australian had voted, the Top 12 opened the show with a spectacular group performance of Freedom! ’90 by George Michael.
Chart-topping Australian pop duo The Veronicas also took to the stage tonight with a rousing performance of Here to Dance.
As the bottom four were announced, judges Kyle Sandilands, Marcia Hines and Amy Shark were stunned at the shock result. Amy said: “I honestly have no words…my mind is blown right now.”
On Ripley, Kyle said: “The guy has millions of streams and such a unique voice. I’m shocked you are in the bottom.”
The bottom four artists took to the stage to prove they deserve a spot in the Top 10.
Ripley impressed with his take on Mercy by Shawn Mendes, while Ivana showed off her powerful voice on Where Have You Been by Rihanna.
Imogen stunned the crowd with her final performance, singing Celine Dion’s It’s All Coming Back To Me Now, while TJ brought the vibe with Bad Guy by Billie Eilish.
Kyle called “super talent” Ripley’s elimination: “Unbelievable. A real shame.”
Marcia reflected that Ripley was so popular Australia may have forgotten to vote: “You’ve got to vote to keep people on. We don’t want a repeat of this again. If you really dig somebody vote for them.” She reflected: “I feel like it’s our fault, we talked you up Ripley.”
Amy said: “You have such a bright future and I’m so glad we saw you first. It’s been such an incredible ride. I’m really going to miss your performances; you’re not supposed to have favourites but you’re a real favourite of mine.”
Both eliminated contestants received a standing ovation.
Ripley said: “I love you all. I just want to say thank you all so much.”
Imogen reflected: “Thank you for watching me. I am just happy I got to sing for you all.”
Marcia added: “That is not going to be the last we see of Imogen.”
