RECAP | Judges double down on Touchdowns on AUSTRALIAN IDOL

The competition heated up as eight more of the Australian Idol Top 24 took their skills to a live audience to vie for a place in the Top 12.

Twenty-five-year-old Margaret River surfer Sash Seabourne was the first to perform, taking to the stage with an electric performance of Kings of Leon’s Sex on Fire. The judges were impressed he was able to show another side to his performance, but Kyle questioned whether it was enough to make the Top 12.

Melbourne DJ, Maya Weiss, delivered an enthralling rendition of Addicted to You by Avicii and thoroughly impressed Kyle, who rewarded her with a Touchdown and a fast pass to the Top 12.

Meghan’s Northern Territory artist, Naomi Gipey, gave an intimate interpretation of Leona Lewis’ Bleeding Love but struggled to impress the judging panel. Nineteen-year-old Cooper Turnbull’s bold song choice of Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen proved divisive, with Amy and Meghan deeming it “effortlessly awesome.” At the same time, Kyle and Harry wanted to see more from the young performer.

Fifteen-year-old student Phoebe Stewart channelled fellow redhead Florence + The Machine with a powerful delivery of You’ve Got The Love. Meghan was overwhelmed and left speechless by Phoebe’s performance but managed to pull it together to award her with a Touchdown.

Harry Hayden from Melbourne stripped back Take Me To Church by Hozier in what the judges described as his best performance yet. Country performer Damien Agius did Queensland proud with his emotive delivery of Lonestar’s Amazed.

Finally, 28-year-old wedding singer Kristie Baillie wowed the live audience with the Aretha Franklin’s smash hit Respect. 

With two Touchdowns already awarded, the remaining six performers were left to compete for the two remaining places in next week’s live shows. After deliberating, the judges put Sash and Harry through to join Maya and Phoebe in the Top 12.

Tomorrow night on Australian Idol: The final four spots in the Top 12 will be filled as eight contestants battle it out for a chance to compete on live television for the Idol crown.

Australian Idol continues 7.30pm Tuesday on Channel 7 and 7plus