Australian Idol 2024: Meet the Top 12

After a very competitive third “Transformation” show, Australian Idol has settled on its Top 12 for 2024.

Judges Kyle Sandilands, Marcia Hines and Amy Shark gave the last four places to Denvah Baker-Moller, Kiani Smith, TJ Zimba and Tyler Hammill.

They join previously-selected Amy Reeves, Drea Onamade, Imogen Spendlove, Dylan Wright, Isaac McCallum, Ivana Ilic, Ripley Alexander and Trent Richardson.

With its mix of pop, country, hip hop, singer-songrwiters, power ballad vocalists and more, Seven has assembled an impressive young talent line-up for 2024.

Next week 6 will perform on Sunday night, then another 6 on Monday before a Live Results show on Tuesday.

The Top 12 are also releasing a soulful rendition of George Michael’s Freedom! ’90, available to stream or download here from Friday, 23 February (to be performed in Tuesday’s results show).

Amy Reeves
25 Broome, WA
Skincare boutique worker
“I’m excited about the prospect of connecting with fans, learning from mentors, and creating lasting memories that will shape my musical path for years to come. I want to set an example for other kids who grew up in rural areas, especially the Kimberley. I want them to look at me and see themselves. If I can have a positive influence like that, I would be happy and very proud.

Denvah Baker-Moller,
23 Rockhampton, QLD
Quirky country girl ready for greener pastures
“I truly can’t believe I’ve even made it this far. Being in the Top 12 is a total dream and I’m so grateful that I even get to be doing this. I know that not everyone out there likes country music, so to let the country singer in is such an honour and one that I don’t take for granted. Country is cool now and I want to prove that in the Top 12.”

Drea Onamade,
26 Perth, WA
Singer/songwriter, choir director and paralegal set to raise the bar
“It feels incredible to have made it this far in Australian Idol. I really set out with the hopes of doing my best and to get here is just so crazy to me. I have already received so many messages about how I’ve inspired friends and family to take the leap and do something out of their comfort zone, so that’s another amazing milestone from this. I really hope I’m doing baby Drea proud! I’m excited to see where this journey takes my career. I’ve been doing this for quite a while as a hobby and now as my main form of income. To get to this stage will hopefully open so many doors and lead me to different places. It’s been a hard slog, but it’s been so worth it!”

Dylan Wright,
30 Bangalow, NSW
Northern Rivers painter/decorator and dad
“I auditioned for Australian Idol because I grew up loving the show. It never felt like the right time, but all of a sudden, the stars have aligned. I hope to be one of the most successful Australian Idol contestants and to make my family proud. My dream is to write and perform music full time.”

Imogen Spendlove,
23 Melbourne, VIC
Factory worker ready for her big break
“Australian Idol has given me the chance to show Australia who I am, what I’m about, and prove to myself that I am capable of big things. I took a break from music to figure out who I was away from it, and now I’m ready to show Australia what I’ve got. It feels scary to put myself out there, but I’ve worked my whole life to develop my skills as a performer.”

Isaac McCallum,
23 Burrill Lake, NSW
Supermarket worker ready to show Australia his talent
“I want to get out of that carpark, I want to stop pushing trolleys. Australian Idol has given me the chance to live my dream of being an artist and showing the world my gift. As a self-taught musician, making it to the Top 12 means everything to me.”

Ivana Ilic,
20 Mill Park, VIC
Proud Serbian community singer who works at a burger shop
“I’ve always wanted to be a part of Australian Idol. I want people to be able to see the potential I have to become something in the music industry and to be able to finally kickstart my career.”

Kiani Smith,
17 Bribie Island, QLD
Performer wanting to take her music mainstream
“I’ve been writing songs since was seven years old. I play guitar, piano, ukulele and drums. I would love to show Australia my talent, and further my career in the music industry. Being the youngest in the Top 12, I want to prove to people – especially my generation – that anything is possible, and you can achieve anything you put your mind to.”

 

Ripley Alexander,
19 Fernvale, QLD
Full-time musician ready to take his career to the next level
“Two months ago, I was singing in bars in Brisbane and now I’m in the Top 12 of Australian Idol! Being my own artist is very important to me. At the end of the day, I just want to perform and reach people with my music so the chance to have a recording contract would be a dream come true.”

TJ Zimba,
24 Karratha, WA
Hip-hop artist who writes, ecords and produces his own music
“This is an opportunity to launch myself in the Australian music industry and shed some light on alt-R&B, hip-hop, and Afrobeats in Australia. I just know that this is going to open many doors, not just for myself but for a lot of people. Australian Idol is a chance for me to blossom and learn more as an artist, but more profoundly, an opportunity to let my message transcend across to a wider audience. I feel like I am representing more than just myself. I am the reality of a dream that the underdog can win. The dream is that you are worthy enough to move on from that supporter background role, and you can step onto the centre stage.”

Trent Richardson,
22 Emu Park, QLD
Raised on a camel farm and had never sung in public before Australian Idol
“I’m fresh out of the pen and never gigged or sang on a stage in my life until the Australian Idol auditions. I would love to show people that it doesn’t matter where you’re from or what your past is, you can do anything you want, and this is why I gave Australian Idol a crack in the first place. I was so scared and still am, but being in the Top 12 makes me so happy that I had the courage to audition. I can’t believe that I have a chance to win this competition and show myself I am good enough and worthy of something that I didn’t know I was capable of.”

Tyler Hammill,
21 Sunshine Coast, QLD
Surf lifesaver ready to ride the Idol wave
“Since I was a teenager, I’ve dreamt of chasing my dreams to sing my songs to the masses. Australian Idol will only help me in getting closer to my desires. The music industry is one hard nut to crack, there are so many amazing artists out there; Idol will give me a special and unique platform to showcase who I am as an artist and can hopefully boost me to some special places.”

Performance shows Sunday 7.00pm and Monday 7.30pm
Live Results shows Tuesday 7.30pm on Seven