Australian Idol begins Monday 2 Feb.
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That is the promo featuring Eva, the singer with no song.
Emotional audition brings judges to tears
Charlie Moon’s breathtaking Australian Idol audition pays tribute to his late mum
Charlie Moon is ready pay tribute to his late mum when Australian Idol returns on Monday, 2 February for a massive fourth season on Seven and 7plus in 2026.
The 31-year-old from Perth – known for his signature glasses and bright beanie – brings his soulful roots to the stage inspired by the music of Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye, thanks to his parents.
Charlie selects Billie Eilish’s Birds of a Feather for his Australian Idol audition, a song that holds deep meaning for him.
“I think of my mum when I sing this song,” Charlie shared “Unfortunately, my mum passed away; I was her full-time carer.”
After her tragic passing from brain cancer, he admitted: “I wouldn’t trade the sacrifice I made for anything because I got to spend more time with my mum.”
“No one loves you like your mum does,” Charlie added.
With the bar set higher than ever, Australian Idol 2026 is shaping up to be the toughest season yet, as judges Marcia Hines, Amy Shark and Kyle Sandilands search for an Idol with the full package of talent, presence, and star quality.
Expect powerful performances, emotional journeys and the discovery of extraordinary new talent as the judges leave no stone unturned to find the next Australian Idol.
Australian Idol
Starts Monday, 2 February on Seven and 7plus
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Australian Idol’s most unique voice yet
Forklift driver on the rise after stellar audition
Get ready for Australian Idol’s most unique voice yet when the superstar series returns on Monday, 2 February on Seven and 7plus.
Jacinta, 25, a forklift driver from Bacchus Marsh, Victoria, has raw talent and emotional authenticity but is plagued by uncertainty.
“I was not born a confident human,” she said. “It’s something I’ve been questioning – whether I am good enough or whether I’m cut out for this.”
Despite her self-doubt, Jacinta’s ambition and belief in her own potential are front and centre as she steps into the national spotlight.
“I know deep down I can be the next Australian Idol. I’ve got something different, unique and I’m ready for the world to see it.”
Supported by her family, Jacinta is now ready to share her voice.
With the bar set higher than ever, Australian Idol 2026 is shaping up to be the toughest season yet, as judges Marcia Hines, Amy Shark and Kyle Sandilands search for an Idol with the full package of talent, presence, and star quality.
Expect powerful performances, emotional journeys and the discovery of extraordinary new talent as the judges leave no stone unturned to find the next Australian Idol.
Australian Idol
Starts Monday, 2 February on Seven and 7plus
The search for Australia’s next superstar is here
Australian Idol premieres Monday, 2 February
The search for Australia’s next superstar is here.
Australian Idol returns to Seven and 7plus on Monday, 2 February for a fourth massive season of the international star-making sensation.
The powerhouse Australian Idol judging trio is back: Idol OG and pop legend Marcia Hines, TV Week Logie Award winner and acclaimed recording and touring artist Amy Shark, and radio king Kyle Sandilands, all on the hunt for Australia’s next Idol.
This season, the bar is set higher than ever: more than just a voice, the judges want visuals and vibe. It’s all about the full package of talent, presence and undeniable star quality. The judges will leave no stone unturned in their quest to find the best of the best.
This is Australian Idol as you’ve never seen it before: bigger, bolder and more thrilling than ever.
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Seven will have another roadblock in thier schedule with the first five minutes of Idol being also shown on 7Two, 7Mate and 7Flix on Monday 2 February.
Again, the value of the strategy comes into question; are viewers of the multichannels going to switch over because they otherwise missed the promos?
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From Monday Australian Idol returns with another crop of aspiring singers before judges Marcia Hines, Kyle Sandilands and Amy Shark.
Idol this year is largely a three-night proposition, including when Live shows commence in March.
Brook Hall, Seven’s Chief Content Officer, says Seven is again offering family entertainment viewing and early indications are there are some unique young voices.
“The one thing about this show is can you find the singers? Yet they somehow creep out of the woodwork,” he says.
“Since we returned it, it’s gotten bigger. Last year was its biggest viewing audience again, when we’re talking about Total TV. We’re going to hammer on about it, because there’s still that perception out there where a lot of markets around the world are in decline. Here, the big two networks are bringing more people to live television each year.
“The fact that Married at First Sight is so big, you’ve got to give credit to Nine. But I give credit to Idol. It’s one of our biggest shows against the biggest juggernaut on television.”
While some talent shows shake-up their judging panel, Seven is returning it panel for a third instalment -even if Kyle Sandilands often draws controversy.
“There’s no doubt he’s polarising … in television is you definitely don’t want bland. We’re about viewer engagement. I would say to those people about Kyle, if you listen to his radio and you see him on Idol, I think they’re two different products,” he suggests.
“I think everyone just sees a radio article written about him, which is usually drummed up to get clicks and think, ‘That’s who he is.’ There was a lot of debate with their push into Melbourne, and everyone’s going, ‘Melbourne, doesn’t like Kyle,’ and it’s a very simple headline to do. But Idol‘s strongest rating market is Melbourne.
“I don’t have a song”
Australian Idol hopeful leaves judges speechless
Australian Idol returns Monday, 2 February, for a massive fourth season on Seven and 7plus, bringing with it one of the most unexpected auditions yet.
When 20-year-old Eva from Brisbane arrives before judges Marcia Hines, Kyle Sandilands and Amy Shark, she reveals something no one saw coming.
Eva confesses: “I don’t have a song.”
Walking into an audition without a song is a major red flag to Kyle. Amy explains: “We need you to be your own artist.”
Eva clarifies: “I thought I’d leave the choice up to you guys.”
With one life-changing chance to show the judges who she is, has Eva made the ultimate mistake?
With the bar set higher than ever, Australian Idol 2026 is shaping up to be the toughest season yet, as judges search for an Idol with the full package of talent, presence, and star quality.
Ricki-Lee is on the cover of Stellar liftout inside News Corp papers this Sunday.
The interview and photoshoot were held prior to this morning’s announcement that she and Tim Blackwell would move from national drive to Sydney breakfast from February 9.
UPDATE 1/2: full interview with Ricki-Lee
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The auditions everyone will be talking about tomorrow
Australian Idol premieres tonight with the greatest night of auditions
The greatest opening night Australian Idol has ever seen premieres 7.30pm tonight on Seven and 7plus.
With thousands of hopefuls chasing their dreams of singing stardom, judges Kyle Sandilands, Marcia Hines and Amy Shark are blown away by some of the most extraordinary talent ever to step into the audition room, from all corners of the country.
From emotional moments to jaw-dropping performances, tonight’s episode sets the tone for an unforgettable season of Australian Idol.
Tonight’s standout auditions include:
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“Johnny Jukebox”, a charismatic teen with a love of 1950s swing
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A muscular muso battling nerves and the fear of forgetting his lyrics
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Marcia Hines travelling to Victoria for the biggest audition Australian Idol has ever seen
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A singer with no song, leaving her fate entirely in the judges’ hands
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A shy tradie who leaves Amy Shark speechless
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A teenage rapper putting a fresh spin on a 1990s dance classic
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A sheep shearer fresh from a very literal run-in with a sheep
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And a powerhouse vocalist delivering a Tina Turner performance that stops the judges in their tracks
All that and more on the first night of Australian Idol.
TV Week interview with Marcia
That’s the one which took place at Marvel Stadium before an AFL match last August.
This show really hasn’t done enough to evolve over its last three seasons at 7 - it’s the same predictable set and format. Those who are going to the ‘waiting room’ will always cut away to being watched by others in the waiting room which ruins any element of suspense. I know they’re doing it on the cheap compared to the Ten days, but it seems to be missing something this year and the production team are just going through the motions.
Or maybe after 10 seasons I’m just over this padded auditions phase.
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I’d argue it’s never about the winner these days. People would struggle to name the past three winners. 
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Yeah I don’t watch the auditions anymore. They are too manufactured and lack the vibe of the old Idol. Like last year, I will start watching once the auditions are over.
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900k for episode 1, about 100k lower than last year.
she was good but that was so fake and staged, she set up her guitar for the next song before she was given it.
