It was a “yeah the girls!” night on Australian Idol 2025, as Idol alum Ricki-Lee Coulter stepped in as a guest judge on Tuesday, February 18.
Filling in for regular panellist Kyle Sandilands, Ricki-Lee joined legendary performer Marcia Hines and singer-songwriter Amy Shark to guide the Australian Idol contestants battling for their shot at becoming Australia’s next singing sensation.
According to TV Tonight, Sandilands was unwell at the time of taping but is expected to return next week. In the meantime, Ricki-Lee was able to bring her industry know-how and firsthand experience as a former Idol contestant to the judging panel.
For those who need a refresher, Ricki-Lee first rose to fame on Australian Idol in 2004, competing in the show’s second season, where she placed seventh. While she didn’t take home the title, she went on to build a successful career in music and television, proving that Idol is just the beginning.
Given her own journey through the competition, we reckon she was more than qualified to offer her wisdom to the aspiring stars.
Outside of this guest appearance, Ricki-Lee is usually seen on the Australian Idol stage in a different role, co-hosting alongside Aussie TV and radio presenter Scott Tweedie. The duo have fronted the series since its 2023 reboot.
Could this stint as a guest judge be a glimpse into Ricki-Lee’s future? We’ll let you decide!
Here’s how the peeps on the Internet reacted to her judging debut.
Fans loved seeing Ricki-Lee in the judge’s chair
Can we keep Ricki-Lee full time as a judge alongside Marcia & Amy in place of Kyle/instead of as a co-host with Scott. #AustralianIdol 🤞
— Noëlle 🔥â™ðŸ‡¦ðŸ‡ºðŸŒ ðŸ³ï¸ðŸŒˆî¨€ðŸ³ï¸âš§ï¸ (@OZzeeGal) February 18, 2025
Promote @TheRickiLee to a judge on #AustralianIdol full time!!!
— Mr Minogue 🌈 (@mr_minogue) February 18, 2025
And the girl power was celebrated
But Kyle was still missed, of course
What have they said about why Kyle isn’t there? I must’ve missed it #AustralianIdol
— SRPasses it on (@SallyRCbra) February 18, 2025
Kyle lying in his hospital bed: “WTF did you all just do!?” #AustralianIdol
— Robin Illingworth 🇦🇺ðŸ´ó §ó ¢ó ¥ó ®ó §ó ¿ðŸ‡³ðŸ‡¿ (@bobillingworth) February 18, 2025
this is a bad timing for Kyle to not be there, he would have been iconic in that judging seat tonight, I love Rikki but she isn’t being savage and honest as Kyle would be, I would have loved to know what he would have said/thought tonight. I miss him on the panel #AustralianIdol
— ð“¡ð“®ð“·ð“®ð“®ð“¢ð“®ð“»ð“°ð“²ðŸŒ¸ (@ReneeSergi) February 18, 2025
Ah well, you can’t please everyone! Still, kudos to Ricki-Lee for stepping up!
