Bundaberg’s Keely Ellen misses out on top 12 on Australian Idol

A Bundaberg teen who made country music centre stage on Australian Idol shared her heartbreak through her song choice in her last performance, and Kyle Sandilands wanted details.

Australian Idol contestant and Bundaberg performer Keely Ellen made the top 21 on the reality television show in 2025.

A Bundaberg teenager competing in Australian Idol 2025 has revealed her latest song choice was inspired by a boyfriend who cheated on her.

Keely Ellen, 18, made the top 21 on the reality television show, but this week was told by the three judges, pop legend Marcia Hines, chart-topping singer-songwriter Amy Shark and radio host Kyle Sandilands, that she would not be in the top 12.
Despite that, the judges were full of praise for the young performer, with Kyle even demanding the details of the boyfriend who broke her heart.

Talking to the NewsMail before that decision, Keely said she was grateful for her Idol experience.

She said she appreciated all the love and support she had received from the Bundaberg community during her journey.

During her audition, she reduced Kyle to tears with her rendition of Willie Nelson’s Always on My Mind, made famous by Elvis Presley.

The song was chosen in honour of her grandfather, who died two years ago.

“It was a very emotional song for me,” Keely said.

She said it had been “very daunting” to perform in front of the judges for the first time.

Keely Ellen performs at Gympie Music Muster. Picture: Patrick Woods.

During the episode, the audience found out the beauty therapist has a passion for country music, starting singing lessons when she was about eight years old.

Keely said she loved the storytelling of country music and that was what she wanted to share that while she was on Idol.

From attending her first show when she was a child, seeing One Direction in concert, to performing gigs herself at local venues, Keely has long had a passion for live music.

She grew up watching Idol and said she was inspired by the stars who had come out of the show, including Guy Sebastian and Shannon Noll.

Keely said she had received really good feedback from Marcia and Amy during her Idol adventure.

She said Idol had been an amazing opportunity for her career with the resources it provided and a great learning experience.

On Tuesday night, Keely shared that growing up she had always been shy, but during Idol’s transformation week, she was embracing her confidence.

Keely Ellen made the top 21 on the reality television show.

She performed The First Cut is the Deepest by Cat Stevens, sharing that she had already experienced her first heartbreak and wanted to share that with the audience.

Marcia told Keely she had one of those “beautiful, beautiful voices”.

Amy said she had a “killer voice” and was a “real artist” but she wanted to learn more about Keely.

“You’re born to do this, you’re a fantastic singer-guitarist, you’ve probably got great songwriting chops as well if you’re country, so it’s like, we’re all in, just remember that.”

Kyle said he’d never heard the song before.

“To me the song was rubbish but you made it feel really good, I really enjoyed hearing it,” he said.

“Okay I want his full name and address, who broke your heart, what happened, details,” Kyle said.

“He cheated on me,” Keely said.

“Six years down the drain, flush the toilet, that one,” she said.

“We’ll talk about where this guy lives after,” Kyle responded.

Keely’s mum Kim was in the audience and said the family couldn’t be prouder of her.

Despite not making the top 12, Keely said she had loved her time on Idol.

In nearby Hervey Bay, William Ramage also auditioned for Australian Idol, performing strongly but not being selected by the judges.