Our cowboy hats have been tipped in for Jake Whittaker ever since he stepped into the Australian Idol 2025 auditions and delivered a soul-stirring, country-fied rendition of Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody.
The South-East Queensland singer-songwriter kept our boots scootin’ when he hit the Top 24, performing You’re Still The One by Shania Twain alongside Jaymon Bob and Emma Jones.
Now the 29-year-old has cracked the Top 12, and we can’t wait to see he pulls out of the hat next.Let’s get to know Jake from Australian Idol 2025 a little better!
He’s been in the music game for a while
Jake isn’t a newcomer to the music scene. According to his website, his debut single, Round Here (released in 2023), got airtime on KIX Country, ABC Country, and 94One Today’s Country. It even landed on Apple Music playlists and community radio stations across Australia and internationally. Not too shabby.
His roots may be in soul, blues, and funk, but country music has always been his true love. He cites Brothers Osborne, Zac Brown Band, Morgan Wallen, and Luke Combs as his biggest influences.
He even shared a throwback on his Insta showing just how far he’s come, and wow, baby Jake looked completely different!
When he’s not singing, he’s selling cars
Off the stage, Jake sells cars at his family’s dealership, although he says it was never the dream.
“All I want to be is a musician and a singer,” he shared in his Idol intro.
His dad, Grant, agreed, joking that Jake is “definitely a better singer,” than a car salesman.
But despite it not being his passion, Jake’s family clearly means everything to him. “He’s a great son, great brother, great husband to his wife, and he’s a great father,” his Dad said, tearing up up. Aw!
He’s a proud new dad
Jake and his wife, Nicole Steel, welcomed their adorable baby boy, Edward Raymond Whittaker (aka Eddie), on April 30, 2024.
At his Australian Idol audition, Jake stated he was doing this for his family.
“He’s awesome, and he’s so chill,” Jake gushed about baby Eddie.
“I’m so grateful to have him. He’s going to be my best mate, just like I am with my dad.” C-U-T-E!
And yes, you can watch him do a shoey!
To mark the release of his 2024 single Shoey, Jake did exactly what the title suggests — more than a few times.
His Insta is proof that he fully embraced the Aussie tradition, and honestly, we respect the commitment.
Seems like a top bloke. We can’t wait to see how Jake goes on Australian Idol!
