Australian Idol’s Top 8 singers were revealed on Tuesday night after two contestants were voted out of the competition.
Across two nights on Sunday and Monday, the Top 10 had performed songs chosen by judges Kyle Sandilands, Amy Shark and Marcia Hines.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Kyle Sandilands booed over ‘Kermit the Frog’ comment.
Stream Australian Idol free on 7plus
Then the voting lines were opened to the public, taking the decision of who would make the Top 8 out of the judges’ hands.
On Tuesday night, Karratha-based rapper TJ was the first to be told he had landed in the bottom two from Sunday night’s show.
“You bravely chose to sing and reinvent John Farnham’s You’re The Voice,” host Ricki-Lee Coulter said.
“The judges applauded your bold move but it is Australia who has the final say … You risk leaving Idol tonight and the competition for good.”
That meant TJ had to perform one more time in an attempt to win over the Aussie voting public.
The second singer to learn they could be going home was Ivana.
“No, it’s OK,” she said.
“You know, it happens.
“Denver, Dylan, Drea, everyone here is incredible.”
Ivana chose Bleeding Love by Leona Lewis to perform as her last-chance song, while TJ performed Hotline Bling by Drake.
“It’s really not easy performing under so much pressure,” Ricki-Lee said after both had taken to the stage.
“What you guys just did, I have all the respect.”
After a nervous wait, Ivana learned that she had made it through to the Top 8 – and TJ would be going home.
“It is such a shame to see you leave the competition because you have brought so much to this stage,” Ricki-Lee said.
“You’re like nothing we’ve ever seen before on this stage, so thank you so much for coming.”
TJ was graceful in defeat, thanking the judges for helping craft him into an artist “ready to take on the world”.
“Everything you have done has meant so much to me,” he said.
“I’m glad I got to do what was never done on Idol before.
“I feel like I walked through a door and I just cannot wait for people to be inspired.
“I’m gonna keep it open so more people can come through.”
Then it was time to find out who was voted into the bottom two from Monday night’s show – Tyler, Isaac, Trent or Kiani.
“The bottom two were chopping and changing right up until the voting closed,” Ricki-Lee said.
Kiani and Tyler were named as the artists from Monday night’s show with the least amount of votes, meaning they had to sing one more time.
Tyler chose Let It Go by James Bay to perform, followed by Kiani singing Riptide by Vance Joy.
And it was Kiani who was to go through to the final 8, with Tyler being sent home.
“Thank you so much for bettering me as an artist, giving me amazing feedback,” he said after learning the disappointing news.
“This isn’t the end.
“Me and the boys, we are going to go on tour this year.
“I can’t thank you all enough.”
Australian Idol Top 8
- Drea
- Isaac
- Dylan
- Ivana
- Amy
- Trent
- Denver
- Kiani
Next week, Australian viewers will get to decide which songs the Top 8 will perform.
Australian Idol returns Sunday night at 7pm on Channel 7 and 7plus.