Australian Idol returned to screens in 2023 after a 14-year hiatus. With a reinvigorated look and feel, the search for Australia’s singing sensation was led by Harry Connick Jr., Amy Shark, Meghan Trainor, and returning judge Kyle Sandilands.
Co-hosts Ricki-Lee and Scott Tweedie guided viewers and competitors along the journey.
WATCH NOW: Australian Idol finalists perform. Article continues after video.
With cameos from some familiar faces (including Marcia Hines, Jessica Mauboy, and Adam Lambert) 24-year-old Royston Sagigi-Baira was crowned the winner of Australian Idol 2023, joining the likes of Guy Sebastian, Casey Donovan, and Stan Walker.
It is after this whirlwind season that Channel Seven announced the show’s reboot would be returning in 2024 – with filming commencing in Sydney in October 2023.
Here’s everything you need to know about the 2024 season of Australian Idol…
When will Australian Idol premiere in 2024?
Channel Seven has confirmed that the 2024 season of Australian Idol will premiere on Monday, January 29th on Channel 7 and 7Plus.
Who will the judges of Australian Idol 2024 be?
Channel Seven has confirmed the return of both Kyle and Amy, with original judge and pop legend Marcia Hines also making her highly anticipated return.
Marcia made a premature return (a teaser, if you will) during the 2023 season reboot. She sat on the judging panel for three episodes while filling in for Meghan Trainor, who was overseas at the time.
“I was surprised and delighted because I really love that gig. I don’t know if people realised how much it meant to me,” Marcia shared with the Herald Sun in August this year following her return.
“Why? Because like me, they just want to sing, they want to find a career in singing.”
According to the veteran judge, she was looking for a voice “that makes the hairs on your body stand up,” regardless of the genre, whilst Amy said she was looking for someone who made her want to learn more.
As for Kyle, he says he’s looking for someone with “a little swagger or a pizzazz about them that just makes them stand out from the crowd.”
Marcia isn’t the only guest judge from 2023 that is expected to return in 2024, with Adam Lambert alluding to his upcoming appearance on the new season in an interview with Fitzy & Wippa with Katie Ritchie.
After Fitzy and Wippa both said Australia would always welcome the new Queen frontman to its shores, Adam shocked them both when we revealed he would soon be returning to television screens across the country.
“You know, I’m not gonna I’m not going to spoil anything. But you definitely will see me next year in Australia on television. But that’s all I can say.”
It is expected that Adam will make his appearance once the series advances to the performance episodes in front of a live audience.
Who will host Australian Idol 2024?
Ricki-Lee and Scott Tweedie will both be returning to host Australian Idol 2024.
“Australian Idol is back!!! 🎤🤩 I’m SO excited to be back hosting the show that changed my life! And it could change yours too! You can audition now by submitting a video of you singing to @australianidol 🥳🥳🥳 Then I’ll see YOU at auditions later in the year!!! Honestly…if you’re a singer and you think you deserve a shot…it’s so worth it! We wanna hear your amazing voice and I want Australia to fall in love with you xxx,” Ricki wrote on Instagram when her return was first announced.
Scott Tweedie’s management also confirmed this news (which the host re-posted on his story), writing, “After a successful relaunch, @australianidol will be returning for Season 2 in 2024, with @stweedie coming back as co-host!”
When are the live shows for Australian Idol in 2024?
In a world-first twist to the audition process, season nine of Australian Idol will feature just 30 ‘Golden Tickets’, a major drop from the 50 that were on offer last season.
Moreover, rather than transitioning straight through from the auditions to the next round, successful singers will have to perform for the judges a second time to prove they deserve to be given a ‘Golden Ticket.’
The format change was put in place to give viewers more opportunities to get to know contestants and ensure that the singers who get through to the live shows truly do have what it takes to blow both the judges, live audience, and Australians tuning in from home away.
After going to Idol HQ, the top 30 will then be whittled down to a top 21 who will perform live on February 9th, 10th and 11th.
The final performance weeks will then take place between February 24th and March 18th.
