Bribie Island teen Kiani Smith’s plans after featuring on Australian Idol

You can take the girl out of Bribe Island but you can’t take the Bribie Island out of the girl and that sits just fine with Kiani Smith.

Kiani Smith on Australian Idol. Credit: Australian Idol

Remember the name Kiani Smith.

The 17-year-old singer/songwriter may have just been eliminated from the latest round of Australian Idol but this Bribie Island local has big plans ahead.

Auditioning for the show at midnight a day before tapes were due, the natural-born vocalist and guitarist said she didn’t even tell her parents she had signed up to partake in the series’ ninth season.

“I remember it was about 12pm at night and I just remember thinking, ‘yeah, why not let’s give this a go it couldn’t hurt,’ I didn’t even tell my parents about it until I got the call that they wanted me to audition for the producers,” Smith said.

“The whole experience was so cool, just everything about it, meeting new people, performing on the stage in front of a really big audience, it was really cool.”

Despite being eliminated on Monday night, Smith said she was still happy to have made the top eight.

Kiani Smith on Australian Idol. Credit: Stu Bryce

“I definitely still am a bit upset about it and gutted but at the end of the day I made the top eight and had a really amazing once-in-a-lifetime experience on the show so I am still pretty happy about the whole thing,” she said.

After spending a few weeks in the ‘big smoke’ Kiani said she was ready to head back to her island home and get back to the beach.

“I do love being on Bribie and growing up it was really nice because I am a big fan of the beach,” she said.

“I have great family and friends here and I definitely love the island vibe.”

For now, the teenager said she plans on spending time gigging and recording and focusing on her singing career.

“I am in the process of investing in a recording set up so I will spend a bit of time doing that and then a big of time doing gigs,” she said.

“I just want to keep doing music, it’s my passion, I just want to see where it takes me.”

Two Queensland hopefuls, 23-year-old Denvah Baker-Moller from Rockhampton and 22-year-old Trent Richardson from Emu Park, remain in the competition and will battle it out on Sunday night for a spot in the Grand Final.

GOLD COAST STARS IN GLOBAL BLOCKBUSTERS

The Gold Coast is once again at the forefront of the global film scene, this time playing host to the monumental sequel Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire.

Premiering in Australian cinemas on March 28, the film has brought the region’s spectacular landscapes into the limelight.

Directed by Adam Wingard and featuring a star-studded cast including Rebecca Hall, Brian Tyree Henry, and Dan Stevens, this sequel continues the epic saga of cinema’s most iconic monsters. US director Adam Wingard, returning to the helm for this sequel, has highlighted the Gold Coast’s unparalleled natural beauty and versatility as key reasons for filming in the region.

The decision to film entirely on the Gold Coast came after the success of its prequel, “Godzilla Vs Kong,” which partly filmed in Queensland and Hawaii, grossing whopping $470 million worldwide.

“From the very beginning, the Gold Coast was in the plan … its jungles and the ability to go to Daintree and shoot as well up there … It kind of happens to fit a lot of the specificity that we need,” he said.

Director Adam Wingard, Dan Stevens and Rebecca Hall on the set of Warner Bros Pictures and Legendary Pictures’ “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire”.

Rebecca Hall, reprising her role as Dr. Ilene Andrews, shared personal moments that made the Gold Coast memorable for her and her family, underscoring the deep connection the cast and crew have formed with the area, blending personal milestones with professional achievements.

“My daughter learned to walk on the first film on the Gold Coast. And then the second one she learned to swim … I’ve had a really good time there always,” she reflected.

The spotlight on the Gold Coast doesn’t end with “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire.” The highly anticipated series “Apples Never Fall,” starring Sam Neill and based on Liane Moriarty’s novel, also premieres this month, further showcasing the region’s appeal.

Following closely, Ron Howard’s latest project “Eden,” wrapped filming on the Gold Coast in February, starring Jude Law and Sydney Sweeney, promises another high-profile project set against the backdrop of this Queensland paradise.

SEAN O’SULLIVAN NEW BABY

Redcliffe Dolphins player Sean O’Sullivan and partner Danica Lappin have welcomed their first child together, announcing the happy news on Instagram.

Dolphins player Sean O'Sullivan welcomed baby girl Sadie with partner Danica. Credit: Instagram

The couple announced the arrival of their baby girl in a joint post, with O’Sullivan saying both Mum and bub were “doing well”.

“Sadie O’Sullivan entered this world on the 13/03/24 changing our lives forever,” the post said.

“Needs and Sadie are doing well and can’t think @danicalappin enough for how strong she was during labour. We can’t wait to watch you grow up, we will be by your side every step of the way.”

Fellow NRL players have already congratulated the new parents on the arrival of their new bub.

“Yes bro how good,” Brisbane Broncos star Jordan Riki commented.

“The best,” Patty Carrigan added.