Tonight on Australian Idol: the second last day of auditions saw the most outstanding crop of singers yet, as nerves almost sabotaged the chance of a lifetime, a teen showed talent way beyond her years, and a family band broke rank.
For 23-year old Prayer Corby from Humpty Doo, NT, her dad Doug wasn’t just a good-luck charm, but part of her band.
“Dad is my best friend,” said Prayer. “He’s my Australian Idol.”
After finishing her audition of Big Jet Plane by Angus and Julia Stone, Prayer admitted: “I wasn’t as happy with that performance,” but judges Marcia Hines, Kyle Sandilands and Amy Shark were not left unimpressed.
Kyle shared: “As much as you were disappointed, I thought it was beautiful.” Amy agreed, recognising Prayer’s “beautiful tone.”
Marcia’s wise words resonated as she recounted: “A large part of being a musician is connecting to an audience. When you make a mistake keep it to yourself.”
On receiving her Golden Ticket and spot in the Australian Idol Top 30, a shocked Prayer said: “I’m just a little bit in awe of it actually. I did not expect it.”
Kiani Smith, 17 from Bribie Island, Queensland, earned a Golden Ticket after her unique performance of 2002 by Anne-Marie.
Amy acknowledged: “It’s pretty scary that you are that good at this age!” Kyle agreed: “I am 100 % behind you.”
The three remaining Golden Tickets of the night went to 24-year-old Kobe White from Victoria, who worked hard to overcome his nerves on Just The Way You Are by Bruno Mars; 23-year-old Olivia Britton, also from Victoria, who rocked the stage with I Kissed A Girl by Katy Perry; and 20-year-old singer Eli Parr, from Brisbane, who was the sole family member to receive a Top 30 spot after auditioning alongside his two brothers and cousin singing Story Of My Life by One Direction.