There were tears, triumph and a shock medical emergency as judges Harry Connick Jr, Amy Shark, Kyle Sandilands and guest judge Marcia Hines determined the Top 24 in Tuesday night’s Australian Idol on Channel 7 and 7plus.
With so much raw talent on display, the judges struggled to agree on which contestants had what it took to go through to the live shows.
First up was 22-year-old Naomi Gipey from the Northern Territory, who performed Elle King’s Ex’s and Oh’s. The judges unanimously agreed this was her best performance to date and granted her the first place in the Top 24.
Angelina Curtis and Phoebe Stewart, the youngest performers in the competition at 15, also proved themselves as they performed with the live band and guaranteeing their spot in the next stage of the competition.
Pocket-rocket Jasey Fox claimed his place in the Top 24 by showcasing his winning dance moves, while Harry Hayden delivered a stripped-back rendition of Amy Winehouse’s You Know I’m No Good to secure his place.
Reeling without his brother performing by his side, Cooper Turnball was visibly nervous as he performed All I Want by Kodaline. Sensing Cooper’s nerves had derailed his performance; the judges put him through believing he would improve his breathwork in the next performance.
Rugby player Noah Cookson made his big city debut with Forever Young by The Youth Group; while the Gold Coast’s Bobby Holmes took on Backstreet Boys classic, I Want It That Way. Stepping out of his dad’s X Factor shadow, Tully Wishart performed Blame It On Me by George Ezra. Unfortunately, Tully failed to blow the judges away, and narrowly missed out on the Top 24.
In a dramatic turn of events, an overwhelmed Noah Cookson passed out on stage when receiving his feedback, with all four judges and crew members rushing to his aid. After being cleared by medics, Noah emotionally informed his mother he was successful and had made it to the next round.
With 23 spots of the Top 24 filled, 21-year-old Tahlia Eve Pizzicara and 28-year-old Maya Weiss were left to battle it out. With the judges unable to decide on their fate based on the live show performances, they were challenged to perform the same song, acapella, on the spot. DJ Maya emerged successful, wowing the judges with her tone and vocal control to secure the final place in the Top 24.
Sunday night on Australian Idol: Eight of the Top 24 contestants sing for their chance to make it to the Top 12, where they’ll perform for the biggest live audience in Idol history.
