Tonight, Bony Onyango and Hannah Waddell departed the competition after the nation voted for their Top 8 Australian Idol contestants on Seven and 7plus.
Ahead of tonight’s verdict the Australian Idol Top 10 united for an electrifying performance of Praising You by Rita Ora.
In one of the strongest fields in Australian Idol history, hosts Ricki-Lee and Scott Tweedie again revealed that only a handful of votes divided those who made the Top 8 and those who would leave the competition.
Disco diva Hannah, 25 from WA, plus progressive auto-tune artist Bony, 25; country cowboy Jake Whittaker, 30; and John Van Beek, 19 – all from QLD – landed in the bottom.
Judges Marcia Hines, Kyle Sandilands and Amy Shark reflected on the Top 10.
Marcia admitted: “The talent this year is on another level.”
“It’s a numbers game as each week goes along it’s going to be heart-destroying,” Kyle added.
Amy acknowledged: “The Australian music industry is a tough competition, not just Idol so any chance you get to sing in front of the country is a huge opportunity.”
Sixteen-year-old singing sensation Gisella Coletti from WA and powerhouse vocalist Emma Jones, 23 from ACT, were advanced straight into the Top 8 by the judges, and safe from the public vote, after their incredible routines during the performance shows.
The four contestants with the lowest votes performed again in a last-bid sing-off to show they had the star power to stay in the competition.
Jake’s “awesome” performance of Tina Turner’s (Simply) The Best showed he was back to top form “letting that mullet fly free,” while Hannah proved disco will never die with Gloria Gaynor’s I Will Survive.
Bony’s natural talent shone on I Don’t Care by Ed Sheeran and Justin Bieber, while John won the crowd with The Script’s Breakeven.
All three judges were shocked at Hannah’s elimination after her “effortless vocal perfection” each week.
Amy admitted: “You have one of the strongest voices we have ever seen in Idol.”
Kyle implored: “Get yourself a booking agent. I would book you for a party, a wedding or corporate gigs. Go and start your career!”
A grateful Hannah shared: “Thank you judges for this whole experience. I am so lucky and extremely grateful. This is not the end.”
After his elimination, Bony said: “Thank you for how you guys received me. It’s been super dope I guess we will see you guys on the other side.”
Kyle shared: “You are an artist. If this is your last night sail forward my friend go and get your dream.”
“I’m not worried about you at all, tomorrow you are going to get back into the studio,” added Amy.
