Australia crowned its Australian Idol 2023 winner on March 26, with Royston Sagigi-Baira beating out runner-up Phoebe Stewart during the Grand Finale.
During an incredible night of live television and electrifying performances, the 23-year-old won the competition, as well as a recording contract with industry giant Sony Music and $100,000 in prize money.
“I just want to say thank you so much to everyone who voted for me. Thank all this mob up here, all my family and friends, for coming. Everyone who’s been voting, thank you so much!,” Sagigi-Baira said, before performing his new single, Invincible.
Idol judges Harry Connick Jr, Meghan Trainor, Kyle Sandilands and Amy Shark celebrated the young singer’s win, praising his time in the competition.
“Your journey through the process has been one of the greatest I’ve seen. It’s been cool. It’s going to be fun to watch your career. I’m proud of you, man, really proud of you,” Connick Jr said, while Trainor said: “You win at always picking the perfect song for you. You’re ready. You’re so…I can’t speak tonight. You are amazing. I love you.”
Placing second, 15-year-old Stewart was named the competition’s runner-up after her Elton John’s Your Song performance reduced the judges to tears.
“I just want to say thank you, everyone, and for not laughing too much when I fell down the stairs,” the gracious performer said, after stumbling before the announcement.
“Seriously, this has been the best. I’m so proud of myself and everyone. This has just been a gift. I’m just so grateful for everything.”
The Top 12 performed Ed Sheeran’s Celestial
The Grand Finale show opened with a powerful performance of Ed Sheeran’s Celestial featuring the entire cast of Idol’s Top 12.
Then, the three finalists returned to the stage to perform their chosen solo song before hosts Ricki-Lee, and Scott Tweedie announced Josh Hannan would be the first artist to leave the competition after securing the least viewer votes.
“I’m just so grateful for everything…thank you to everyone else who voted for me. Thank you very much. This is not the end for me,” he said.
Connick Jr and Idol alum Jessica Mauboy also performed for the crowd.
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