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.
Watch performance highlights:
Ripley Alexander, 19, Ferndale QLD – Heart of Glass, Blondie
Imogen Spendlove, 23, Melbourne VIC – Against All Odds (Take A Look At Me Now) Phil Collins
TJ Zimba, 24, Karratha WA – Airplanes, B.o.B
Trent Richardson, 22, Rockhampton QLD – Stay, Rihanna
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
