RECAP | Amali Dimond shines as first contestant to make the AUSTRALIAN IDOL top 50
The unmissable new era of Australian Idol finally kicked off tonight on Channel 7 and 7plus, with the country’s brightest singers giving it their all to secure a Golden Ticket and a place in the coveted top 50.
First, 16-year-old Amali Dimond impressed judges Harry Connick Jr, Meghan Trainor, Kyle Sandilands and Amy Shark with her rendition of Adele’s Make You Feel My Love. Her actions moved Harry:
“I love your voice, I really do. If you get voted through, we have a contest. Because you will be very, very hard to beat.”
Perth-based cafe worker Sharin Attamimi’s jazz interpretation of Leave the Door Open by Silk Sonic received the first “yass queen” of the series from an ecstatic Meghan. Straight-shooter Kyle’s verdict was also complimentary:
“It was a breath of fresh air. I like it or I don’t like it, and I loved it.” Sharin secured a Golden Ticket and her place among the top 50.
Meghan shouted after watching 20-year-old Joshua Hannan perform Matt Corby’s brother:
“I’m just like fangirling. You just became a superstar in my face.”
Amy added her own personal praise for the aspiring star before giving him her vote:
“Not many people can pull off that song like Corby. He has a really incredible voice, and you remind me a lot of him.”
Complete with an Akubra and mullet, lamb tag Connor Bulger performed Slim Dusty’s classic, A Pub With No Beer. Amy believed he wasn’t quite ready, but the other judges disagreed as Harry exclaimed:
“I didn’t understand a word you said the whole time, but like going to the opera, I feel something.”
Leaving no stone unturned to find the best voices Australia has to offer, Meghan visited 22-year-old student Naomi Gipey at her home in Alice Springs. With Meghan on a trip to Simpson’s Gap, Naomi delivered an acapella performance of Mercy by Duffy and was sent straight through to the top 50.
Brisbane guitar teacher Ben proved that looks can be deceiving as he wowed the judges by embodying Led Zepplin’s Robert Plant for a Golden Ticket-winning version of Whole Lotta Love. Harry enthused:
“You look like you couldn’t care less about being here, but when you started singing I was like man, that’s dangerous.”
Kyle added his own unique feedback:
“The voice is interesting, but I also imagine you naked in a butcher’s apron and me tied on a steel table. So it bugs the hell out of me.”
Not every singer could get a Golden Ticket, with 19-year-old law student Imogen Ledell failing to impress the judges and refusing to take no for an answer. Kyle said:
“The vocals weren’t great at all. You must know that it is quite sad?”
Before Harry added:
“I’m going to be honest with you. Singing is not for you.”
Finally, 27-year-old Sara Houston’s personal story of overcoming a cancer diagnosis and 32 surgeries, along with her raw interpretation of John Mayer’s Waiting on the World to Change, moved Harry:
“Personality, presence, heroism. That’s what Australian Idol is all about and you have all those qualities.”
Golden Ticket winners
Other auditions
Tomorrow night on Australian Idol: 43 golden tickets remain as hundreds of singers put everything on the line to secure their spot and move one step closer to winning Australian Idol 2023.
AUSTRALIAN IDOL season eight – continues Tuesday and Wednesday 19:30 on Channel 7 and 7plus.
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