Final 12 ready to harness Idol star-making power
Meet the dozen young hopefuls who’ve made the cut for The rebooted Australian idol’s live rounds.
Entertainment
Don't miss out on the headlines from Entertainment. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The youngest singer in 2023’s Australian Idol finals wasn’t even born when Shannon Noll lost the first season to Guy Sebastian, but these young guns say they are ready to carry on the Idol legacy.
From Western Sydney to Western Australia, the revamped reboot of the iconic Australian reality show has finally whittled down their crop of talent to just 12 vocalists.
Heading into the live performance rounds where audiences vote each week on who should make the cut, these artists know the star-making power of Idol.
Jess Mauboy, Guy Sebastian, Matt Corby and Ricki-Lee Coulter all became stars after their stints on classic Idol seasons.
Meet the final 12 competing for the 2023 Australian Idol title.
Jasey Fox, 25 – NSW
For Sydney dancer Jasey Fox, making the Top 12 on Australian Idol is a dream come true. The 25-year-old grew up watching the hit television show and is still pinching himself before each performance.
“I really didn’t think that there would be room for someone like me in this sort of setting,” he said.
“And to find myself here, I’m very, very grateful for it, and it’s definitely a pinch me moment.”
Having scored a standing ovation for his rendition of ABBA’s Does Your Mother Know, Fox said he is determined to make it to the end of the competition.
“I’m hungry for it. I’m ready,” he said.
Angelina Curtis, 15 – WA
One of the youngest in the competition, Year 9 student Angelina Curtis quickly became a fan-favourite, scoring a ‘touchdown’ for her performance of the Paramore song The Only Exception.
“I was not expecting it,” she said.
“I’m just so grateful that (Harry Connick Junior), a judge of his expertise, acknowledged me and said some glowing things that I will take with me for the rest of my life.”
Having played piano since she could climb up on the stool, Curtis said the stage is where she feels most like herself.
“I’ve always loved to do this and it’s never seemed like work to me,” she said.
“So the fact that I get to (be away from) school and do something I absolutely adore is incredible.”
Maya Weiss, 28 – VIC
A yoga teacher and DJ from St Kilda, Maya Weiss said when she auditioned in front of the judges, she had no idea if she’d make it to the next stage.
“I definitely surprised myself considering how many people auditioned,” she said.
“I came into it with no expectation.”
Her first few performances came with a lot of nerves but, by the live shows, she felt right at home on the stage.
“That’s why I came on the show, because the more involved I am in the performance, the bigger the stage, the more I enjoy it,” she said.
“That’s my favourite bit – the feeling of being within such an incredible backdrop and everything.”
Josh Hannan, 20 – VIC
Josh Hannan has traded life on a rose farm in Victoria for a stage in Sydney, wowing the judges with his emotive performances.
His natural talent has captivated the Idol audience, but Hannan said he was shocked to make it past the audition stage.
“It’s been a wild ride,” he said.
“Towards the start it was really nerve wracking. I had pins and needles down my arms, full on sensory overload,” he said.
“But I’m getting more comfortable.”
The 20-year-old said he was appreciating the journey while it was happening and said he was happy winning over a few fans from at home.
Amali Dimond, 16 – NSW
For 16-year-old Amali Dimond, singing for a crowd of thousands is a dream come true.
She blew the judges away at her audition, and her performances have gotten bigger and better since.
Her stunning performance of Sia’s Unstoppable scored rave reviews from the judges, and reaffirmed to the teen why she is in the Top 12.
“I genuinely felt unstoppable,” she said.
“It’s pretty mind blowing. I feel like finally all the years of work that I’ve done are paying off.”
A fan of Idol alumni Jessica Mauboy and Guy Sebastian, Dimond said it was a “privilege” to perform on the same stage.
“I can learn so much from these stars who have made it in the industry,” she said.
“It’s so cool. It’s such a privilege.”
Harry Hayden, 18 – VIC
Eighteen-year-old Harry Hayden is still “freaking out” when he wakes up each morning and realises he’s part of Australian Idol’s Top 12.
“I’ve cried almost every day of the experience, happy tears – and some not happy too – because it’s been hard at times, but it’s also just the best thing that ever happened to me,” he said.
“Honestly, it’s my biggest achievement even making it this far.”
Hayden auditioned after completing his final year of school and was worried about his career path. But now, after wowing the judges each week, knows exactly what he wants to do with his life.
“This is just the absolute best way that it could have gone,” he said.
“I’m very grateful to be on this pathway at the moment.”
Anya Hynninen, 19 – VIC
Anya Hynnien has grown up singing, but treats each Australian Idol performance like a gig in a beer garden to keep her nerves at bay.
“One way (I keep calm) is just trying not to make it such a big deal,” she said.
“Like it’s just another performance, like every weekend playing in a beer garden.”
The Victorian teen scored a touchdown with her rendition of Tina Turner’s Simply The Best, which she slowed down and turned into an emotional ballad.
“I hope to be really really versatile,” she said.
“And also just kind of put my twist on everything so that it doesn’t just sound like a cover – it sounds my version.”
Noora H, 27 – NSW
A singing travel agent from southwest Sydney, Noora H says she’s never been more happy or felt more like herself than in the past few months.
“If you told my younger self that I was going to be in the Top 12, I would not have believed you,” he said.
“It’s incredible, I’ve been saying this since my audition, I feel like I’m in a dream.”
Her favourite performance so far was her cover of Rhianna’s Stay, a song she first sang at a karaoke bar years ago.
“It was my first solo performance on stage for the Australian Idol audience,” she said. “So that was very, very special to me.”
Phoebe Stewart, 15 – WA
Phoebe Stewart still hasn’t come to terms with the fact she’s on Australian Idol, let alone that she’s in the Top 12.
The 15-year-old high school student lives on a farm in regional Western Australia and is one of the youngest competitors on the show.
“I’ve watched the show (and thought) ‘I want to do that’,” she said.
“I’ve seen all these people do so well from it, and I was like, this is what I do for my career.
“So I thought oh, I’ll just audition – what’s the worst that can happen?”
That audition wowed the judges and despite her hearing difficulties, Stewart continues to connect with her audience through her talent.
Royston Sagigi-Baira, 23 – QLD
A Thanakwithi and Badu Island man from the remote community of Old Mapoon in Queensland’s far north, Royston Sagigi-Baira’s goal on Australian Idol is to make his community proud.
“One of the biggest things for me is showing the next generation that it doesn’t matter where you come from – I come from a community with 350 people – you can still do big, amazing things if you follow your dreams and work hard,” he said.
His smooth vocals have impressed the judges, and he hopes his talent can take him all the way to the end of the competition.
“I think I have the talent,” he said.
“I’ve just got to work hard to put the effort in.”
Sash Seabourne, 25 – WA
A 25-year-old surfer from Margaret River, Sash Seabourne has been inspired by artists like Boy and Bear, Matt Corby, Fleetwood Mac and Bruce Springsteen.
Despite years of signing and songwriting under his belt, Seabourne said the Idol stage felt like playing a sold-out stadium show.
“The level of production that we’re having access to and theatre, with the lights, the staging and the costumes, it almost feels like you’re playing stadiums,” he said.
“It’s the most incredible stage I’ve ever been on for sure.”
After Covid made the music industry a particularly difficult place to get started, Seabourne decided to audition for Idol, with no expectation on just how far he’d make it in the competition.
“It’s difficult to expose yourself to a wider audience and get some national attention,” he said.
“So I decided to take a leap and put myself out there on the show in order to go out and tour around the country.”
Ben Sheehy, 24 – QLD
A guitar teacher who wants to share his unique vocal talent with Australia, Ben Sheehy “accidentally” fell into singing while he was a teenager.
“I accidentally fell into it at school when there was a need for a singer,” he said.
“After an audition, the music coach responded, ‘Did you know you could sing?’”
Despite a few years away from the microphone, Sheehy said he felt totally comfortable in front of the national audience.
“I feel completely comfortable onstage. Well, that’s good. Anywhere to like, feel comfortable in the lights or that the audience are having the judges that I think it adds to the experience.
“This is what I want to do,” he said.
More Coverage
Originally published as Final 12 ready to harness Idol star-making power
Pip Edwards reveals secret health battle
She made headlines for the drama surrounding her break-up from Michael Clarke. Now Pip Edwards has revealed how she handled the aftermath - and the private battle she has been facing.
Love Me star reveals X-rated sex scene reality
Heather Mitchell reveals what it was like shooting a revealing scene in hit drama Love Me, ahead of the series’ much-anticipated second season.