On Sunday evening’s episode of Australian Idol, the general public obtained to decide on which songs the ultimate High Six would carry out.
That meant Australia was within the driver’s seat as Ben, Amali, Phoebe, Royston, Josh and Anya carried out their hearts out for a spot in subsequent week’s Grand Finale.
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However in a significant twist, the judges shocked the contestants by saying they would not be saving an artist from the general public vote any longer.
Which means what occurs to the six contestants is now fully within the palms of the voting public.
Queensland rocker Ben Sheehy, 24, kicked off the present with The Rolling Stones hit (I Cannot Get No) Satisfaction.
Whereas choose Amy Shark praised his traditional rock vocals, she added that his association of the music was disappointing.
Nonetheless, Kyle Sandilands was impressed, saying Ben could possibly be “the man that revived rock music”.
For 15-year-old West Australian singer Phoebe Stewart, the nerves kicked in when she realized Australia had chosen Birdy’s lyric-heavy music Folks Assist The Folks.
“At this stage within the competitors, anybody might go house,” she stated.
“So I hope that I will study the phrases. As a result of I’ve obtained to do that.
“My entire life has modified since approaching the present and I would like to verify I hold elevating the bar so I could make all of it the way in which to the grand remaining.”
So far as the judges have been involved, she had no cause to fret, regardless of touchdown within the backside 4 final week.
“I am so critical Australia. Please do not try this once more to my coronary heart and my soul. You can not put this woman within the backside 4 once more,” choose Meghan Trainor stated.
“Please listen and vote. And even when you assume, ‘Oh, they are going to be wonderful’, vote anyway, OK?
“Please.”
Sixteen-year-old Amali Dimond was given Tones And I’s Fly Away to sing.
“I made a decision to alter this music up simply because it’s not as highly effective and grand as I believe it must be at this level within the competitors,” she stated earlier than the efficiency.
“We’re per week away from the grand finale, so the stress is on.
“This efficiency cannot simply be good, it must be distinctive.”
And for the judges, as soon as once more, it was.
“Once you come out on stage it is such as you’re at an actual live performance after which it goes again to a TV present,” Kyle Sandilands gushed.
“That is what it looks like sitting right here. You’re a star so far as I am involved.”
Amy Shark agreed, saying Amali already appeared to have in-built star high quality on the age of 16.
“I get huge Taylor Swift vibes,” she stated.
“I really feel like you will have simply been round and also you simply know what you’re doing and it’s actually, actually frigging thrilling.”
Josh Hannan was subsequent up, singing Olivia Rodrigo’s smash hit Driver’s License.
“Final week was in all probability my greatest efficiency,” the 20-year-old stated, after judges saved him from the general public vote final week.
“It may take numerous effort and arduous work to verify I can increase the bar once more.”
After his efficiency, Meghan casually dropped the truth that the top of Sony Music was within the viewers.
“I am so glad that no matter occurs she will get to observe all of you shine tonight,” she stated.
“As a result of there are a superb handful of you all which might be able to go and also you, my pal, are certainly one of them.
“As a result of you’re a famous person.”
Anya Hynninen, 19, was gifted one of many largest radio hits of the second, Miley Cyrus’ Flowers, to sing.
Earlier than her efficiency, Anya stated she was “not simply on this competitors for me”.
“I am right here for each girl who has ever felt completely different, bizarre or an outsider,” she stated.
“I am right here to characterize them.”
And whereas Anya sang Flowers superbly, each Harry Connick Jr and Amy Shark stated that they had hoped she may need accomplished one thing unique with the association.
Annoyed by Harry’s feedback, Kyle stated Anya was in a contest and it wasn’t about “exhibiting off”, including that individuals needed to listen to one thing they might sing alongside to and Anya ought to “sing to win”.
Final to sing for the evening was 23-year-old Royston Sagigi Baira, who carried out the 80s traditional True Colours by Cyndi Lauper.
Royston was ecstatic when he discovered what music Australia had chosen for him, saying the lyrics had a particular that means for him.
“It makes me assume I am singing to my youthful self,” he stated.
“As a result of I used to battle quite a bit with my sexuality and stuff like rising up. I bear in mind after I was in grade eight folks used to bully me.
“I at all times want I might simply return and hug him and inform him, ‘You could be your stunning, fantastic self’.
“There are numerous different little youngsters which might be going via the identical stuff that I went via.
“I wish to present them that it is wonderful, you could be your self. You may present your true colours.”
The judges have been stuffed with emotion after Royston’s soulful efficiency.
“You might be stunning spirited, you will have a tremendous voice,” Kyle stated.
“I’d be so thrilled to have the ability to play your songs on the radio when you win this factor.”
“I like that Australia picked that music for you,” Meghan added.
“That’s such an iconic second I’ll cherish perpetually. I used to be so glad I used to be proper right here within the entrance, like, ‘Oh my God, he’s singing to me’.”
Host Ricki-Lee agreed.
“It was so good to see you beginning to peel again the layers because the present has progressed and you’re revealing extra of your self each single week,” she stated.
“It looks as if the viewers is basically beginning to see your true colours too.
“As a result of they selected the proper music for you.”
To vote, SMS the identify of your favourite artist to 0457 500 700. Commonplace textual content message charges apply. Voting closes 20 March at 7.35pm AEDT.
Australian Idol continues 7.30pm Monday on Channel 7 and 7plus.
