Marcia Hines back to judge Australian Idol as 2024 auditions get under way

Australian Idol auditions for the second season of Channel 7’s reboot are under way at Sydney Cricket Ground. “I’m here to find a star,” Hines says.

Australian Idol auditions are officially under way in Sydney.

Self-described “nice judge” Marcia Hines is back, and seeking out Australia’s next big musical thing alongside singer Amy Shark and radio shock jock Kyle Sandilands.

The music industry legend, who was an original judge on the series in 2003, featured as a guest judge for two episodes last year.

“I’ve come back to find a star,” Hines told Confidential.

08 OCTOBER 2023. Australian Idol Judges Amy Shark, Marcia Hines and Kyle Sandilands. Photo: The Daily Telegraph.

She has replaced former American Idol judge Harry Connick Jr and singer Meghan Trainor, who rounded out the judging panel when Channel 7 rebooted the franchise in 2023.

Speaking to Confidential on the first day of auditions, Hines said, “it feels like coming back home.”

The first round of auditions were held at Sydney Cricket Ground on Sunday and will continue until next Saturday. On average, the judges hear about 50 people a day.

“I’m looking for a very strong work ethic,” Hines said. “Someone who is willing to listen and be guided, and who enjoys the journey because it can be quite a ride when it all starts. People think show business is easy. It’s a very difficult thing.”

The reboot of Australian Idol failed to match the ratings success of The Voice last January, attracting 413,000 viewers to be the 15th most watched show in the capital cities on launch night. Most Aussies were instead tuning in to Married At First Sight, The Chase, and Home and Away.

Bringing Marcia Hines back onboard indicates Seven is leaning into the nostalgia appeal even further for their second season. Photo: The Daily Telegraph.

However, Idol diehards welcomed the “comfort” factor of the show, a ratings juggernaut when it launched 20 years ago to propel Guy Sebastian to pop stardom and a career which has endured.

Bringing Hines onboard indicates Seven is leaning into the nostalgia appeal even further for their second season.

“Amy’s a great girl and I just adore Kyle. I think the dynamic of the three of us is going to work really nicely this year,” Hines said.

Television talent quests are no longer the ratings winners they were even a decade ago, and a winner’s record label contract with Sony doesn’t guarantee stardom in the TikTok era.

However, Hines promises that: “We really are trying to find somebody to represent in the business.”

For any Sydneysiders shooting their shot this week, she has this advice.

“Please don’t oversing. I want to hear your voice, not vocal gymnastics. The audition process is not an easy thing and I know that and respect that. You get one chance to impress, present yourself nicely and honestly.”