Australian Idol is an institution that has launched the careers of some of Australia’s most successful and iconic performers — including past winners.
After a long hiatus and a major reboot in 2023, which brought a brand-new judging panel and hosting duo, the reality TV singing competition has firmly reclaimed its spot in Aussie pop culture.
The most recent season has just wrapped, and while fans are still buzzing over the grand finale, it’s also the perfect time to look back at the winners who came before.
From Guy Sebastian to Damien Leith and Stan Walker, these Australian Idols are living proof that dreams do come true!
Scroll below to see what the winners of Australian Idol are up to now.
Guy Sebastian — Season 1 (2003)
Runner-Up: Shannon Noll
Arguably the most famous franchise winner, Guy Sebastian won the first season of Australian Idol in 2003.
He has also gone on to become one of Australia’s most successful and iconic performers, with a career that spans across pop, R&B and soul music. He was also a staple on The Voice as a judge, before departing the show in 2024.
The Angels Brought Me Here (#neverforget) singer has released nine studio albums, one compilation album, one live album, three EPs and 58 singles, including six as a featured artist and four charity singles. Ah-mazing!
“As long as I’ve got a voice and as long as I’ve got songs to write, I’m gonna keep doing it,” he said on his official website.
Sebastian is married to Jules and they have two sons, Hudson and Archer.
Casey Donovan — Season 2 (2004)
Runner-Up: Anthony Callea
Casey Donovan was just 16 years old when she was announced as the winner of the second season of Australian Idol in 2004.
Since then, she has released a studio album, two EPs, and eight singles. She has also appeared on television shows such as Dancing with the Stars, The Voice Australia, and I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!, which she won in 2017.
In 2020, she released her autobiography, Big, Beautiful & Sexy, accompanied by a stunning album of original music.
Donovan has also made her mark on the theatre scene, with starring roles in Chicago, 9 to 5, & Juliet, and Sister Act.
She previously partnered with Jenny Craig as a weight-loss ambassador and has spoken about feeling her “best self.”
In her personal life, she secretly began a long-distance, over-the-phone relationship in 2018 with a man named Campbell. However, six years later, she discovered she had been catfished by her friend Olga.
The story has a happy ending, though, as she is now engaged to her partner, Renee Sharples.
Kate DeAraugo — Season 3 (2005)
Runner-up: Emily Williams
Kate DeAraugo was the winner of the third season of Australian Idol in 2005.
After successfully winning the show, she signed with Sony BMG and released her debut single Maybe Tonight.
DeAraugo became a member of the girl group Young Divas in 2006 alongside fellow Idol alum Emily Williams, Jessica Mauboy, Paulini Curuenavuli and 2023 host Ricki-Lee Coulter. However, it was a short-lived affair, ending in 2008.
In 2017, she had a shocking fall from grace, pleading guilty to possessing crystal meth.
Now, she is married to Shannon Riseley, a building foreman she met in 2019 on Bumble and they are expecting their first child together.
Damien Leith — Season 4 (2006)
Runner-up: Jessica Mauboy (We know!)
In 2006, the fourth winner of Australian Idol was Irish/Aussie performer Damien Leith, a singer-songwriter known for his unique take on the traditional Irish and folk music genres.
Since his win, he has released nine studio albums, four of which peaked in the top two of the ARIA Charts, including two number ones.
He’s also written two books and is married to Eileen Stapleton. They have three children.
Natalie Gauci — Season 5 (2007)
Runner-up: Matt Corby
Natalie Gauci was the 2007 winner (Season 5) of Australian Idol.
While she was a hugely popular contestant, following her win, she struggled with the fame that the TV competition brought her.
She disappeared from the spotlight altogether, later revealing she had turned to drugs and alcohol to cope with the sudden rise.
“I took a lot of drugs and became paranoid,” she said in a 2017 interview.
In 2020, Natalie tried her hand at a reality singing competition once again, auditioning for The Voice, choosing Idol alum Sebastian as her coach, however, she did not make it past the battle rounds.
Wes Carr — Season 6 (2008)
Runner-up: Luke Dickens
Wes Carr won the sixth season of Australian Idol back in 2008, and is still making music and performing to this day.
After winning the show, he signed with Sony Music Australia, and in 2011, after releasing his second album, The Way The World Looks, they parted ways.
He independently released an EP called Blood & Bone under the pseudonym Buffalo Tales and now regularly tours throughout Australia and Europe.
Carr is married to Aussie actor Charlotte Greg, and they have a daughter, Willow, 10.
Stan Walker — Season 7 (2009)
Runner-up: Hayley Warner
Australian-born New Zealand singer Stan Walker won the final season of the original Australian Idol in 2009, before the show went off-air and was later picked up by Channel 7.
Since winning the show, he became an actor and television personality as well as creating new music.
Walker’s debut single Black Box peaked at number two on the ARIA Singles Chart and he since released other popular songs.
In 2017, he suffered a huge setback when he was diagnosed, revealing that doctors had found 13 cancerous tumours inside his body. Fortunately, he is now in remission.
In 2022, he released All In — a studio album that was five years in the making.
The album even featured American artist JoJo, whom he met through “mutual friends”.
“We were already fans of each other, but she don’t know that I’m the ultimate super fan of her, so we started working together over Zoom in lockdown, and now we’ve got a song and it’s my biggest flex!” he told Sunrise at the time.
Royston Sagigi-Baira — Season 8 (2023)
Runner-up: Phoebe Stewart
Royston Sagigi-Baira (aka Royston Noell) claimed the crown in the rebooted 2023 season of Australian Idol, marking a new era for the show.
Following his win, Royston performed his debut single Invincible, which was only the beginning for the 23-year-old star.
In August 2023, Royston was nominated for New Talent of the Year at the prestigious National Indigenous Music Awards (NIMAs).
Over the next few years, he released multiple singles, including Dreaming, Feeling Good, Say It Loud, and Way Up. In February 2025, he dropped his debut EP Sunrise.
Royston is currently represented by Private Idaho Management.
Dylan Wright — Season 9 (2024)
Runner-up: Amy Reeves
Dylan Wright won Australian Idol 2024 in the season finale on March 25.
He credited much of his success to the support of his wife, Georgia. “I don’t think it’s going to sink in for a month or two,” Dylan confessed in an interview with Chattr following his win.
With a recording contract from Sony Music Entertainment Australia and a $100k prize, Dylan dropped his debut single Paper Heart and released an extended play (EP) Half A World Away in late 2024.
He’s been actively performing, including a live show at the Sydney Coliseum Theatre.
Dylan’s voice also featured in a Qantas commercial in March 2025, and he is currently opening for Tina Arena‘s Don’t Ask Again 30th Anniversary Tour, celebrating the iconic album’s milestone with performances across Australia.
Marshall Hamburger — Season 10 (2025)
Runner-up: Iilysh Retallick
Marshall Hamburger was crowned the winner of Australian Idol 2025 at just 19 years old, making him the first contestant under 25 to win since 2009.
In a post-win interview with Chattr, Marshall reflected on his young age, saying, “We’re just really at the start of all of our careers and all in the beginning of our vocal development,” also referring to his Top 3 competitors, Iilysh Retalick and Gisella Colletti.
His winner’s album, The Idol Collection, is already available for pre-order and will feature his best performances from the show, including Beautiful Things, Higher Love, and Benny and Jets.
Looking ahead, Marshall plans to release an original album and is excited about the possibility of going on tour once that’s done.
