“Australian Idol” bid farewell to two hopefuls this week, narrowing the field to the Top 8. After a vibrant group performance of Rita Ora’s “Praising You,” the reality of elimination set in. While the Top 10 brought the energy, it was judges Gisella Coletti and Emma Jones who were put straight through to the Top 8 after the judges used their save, leaving eight contestants battling for the remaining six spots.
Landing in the bottom four were Jake Whittaker, Hannah Waddell, Bony Onyango, and John Van Beek. Each delivered a final performance, fighting for their chance to stay in the competition. In the end, it was Hannah Waddell and Bony Onyango who received the fewest votes, bringing their “Idol” dreams to a close. Judge Amy Shark expressed shock at Waddell’s elimination, praising her powerful voice and encouraging her to connect with a booking agent and pursue her career.
Judge Kyle Sandilands underscored the increasing difficulty of the eliminations as the competition progresses. “As the weeks go on it’s going to get more and more difficult,” he commented, a testament to the rising talent level. Fellow judge Amy Shark echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the immense opportunity “Idol” presents, offering contestants the chance to perform before a national audience.
The “Australian Idol” Top 8 now consists of Emma Jones, Gisella Colletti, Iilysh Retallick, Jake Whittaker, Jaymon Bob, John Van Beek, Marshall Hamburger, and William Le Brun. The public will choose the songs for next week’s performances. Catch the next episode of “Australian Idol” this Sunday at 7.00pm on Channel Seven and 7plus.
