Well, folks, Australian Idol 2025 is finally over, and we’ve had a great season full of surprises and fierce competition.
But sadly, as the show progressed, we had to say goodbye to talented contestants and fan-favourites each week as they were eliminated on the path to crowning this year’s Australian Idol 2025 winner Marshall Hamburger.
The road to our newest Idol started with the Golden Ticket Holders, who made up the Top 30. Our runner-up was Iilysh Retallick, while Gisella Colletti came third.
With each passing week, Australian Idol fans were left on the edge of their seats as we found out who would be next to be sent home from the competition.
Winner Marshall away with a life-changing $100,000 prize and a highly sought-after recording contract with Sony Music Entertainment Australia.
Everyone who has been eliminated from Australian Idol 2025
Iilysh Retallick
Our rocker chick, Iilysh Retallick, is the Australian Idol 2025 runner-up, and she seemed genuinely happy for her friend and competitor, Marshall.
She sang Good 4 U by Olivia Rodrigo and You Oughtta Know by Alanis Morrisette.
Amy said she was “such a fan”, and told her to “get a band and get on the damn road” whether she wins or not.
Kyle said he could play Iilysh on the radio tomorrow and promised the singer that if she didn’t win, he would “buy the band” so she could go on tour.
We’ll be the first to buy tickets!
Gisella Colletti
Gisella Colletti was the first eliminated during the Australian Idol 2025 Grand Finale. She sang What A Feeling as a power ballad and looked like a true pop star, but it wasn’t enough to save her.
“You’re incredible and I must say my husband who is a massive fan of the show, said [he] can’t believe Gisella is only 17,” Amy said. “You are incredible, well done.”
You’ll be able to see Gisella perform with Tina Arena in Perth at her upcoming concert, so her career is only just getting started.
Jaymon Bob
Jaymon Bob put his artistry on show at the semi-final with a performance of Post Malone’s Circles.
Unfortunately, the 23-year-old didn’t make it through the dreaded triple elimination. His Golden Ticket set him apart as a talented singer, but the public didn’t vote him through.
Jake Whittaker
Jake Whittaker put a country spin on John Cougar Mellencamp’s old-school hit Hurts So Good. But, he was unfortunately another casualty on Monday night, with his hopes of becoming the next Australian Idol dashed.
William Le Brun
William Le Brun was also sent home during the triple elimination after his performance of High Hopes by Panic! At The Disco.
John Van Beek
John Van Beek performed You Are The Reason by Calum Scott but it wasn’t enough to secure him a spot in the Top 8. In a nail-biting reveal, the hosts sadly told John his journey was over.
However, he wasn’t too upset and remained positive.
“I came into this whole experience just me giving it a shot… I was so nervous,” John said. “It’s taken me to here, it’s been amazing. I’ve learnt so much.”
He was eliminated alongside Emma, and Ricki-Lee Coulter said it was “only the beginning” for both of the singers.
Emma Jones
Emma Jones chose to sing Fields Of Gold by Sting but her unique voice couldn’t save her from elimination.
“I am going to miss that beautiful voice of yours floating through Idol HQ,” Ricki-Lee said.
Emma told fans that this wasn’t the last you would see of her, promising that she will continue to share her talent with the world.
“Thank you so much for the opportunity to share with you what I love,” Emma said. “It’s only the beginning, so the best is yet to come.”
Amy Shark said the pair “crushed it” and making it through this far was impressive.
Hannah Waddell, 25, WA
Hannah Waddell performed Gloria Gaynor‘s Never Can Say Goodbye at the auditions. She then took on Ain’t No Mountain High Enough with John and Jinja for the Top 24.
The disco queen grooved her way into the Top 10. But after belting out I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor, she unfortunately didn’t secure enough votes to make the Top 8 and was eliminated alongside Bony.
Her exit came as a shock to the Australian Idol judges, who all praised her “effortless vocal perfection” throughout the competition.
“You have one of the strongest voices we have ever seen in Idol,” Amy told Hannah.
Kyle Sandilands implored her to get a booking agent. “I would book you for a party, a wedding or corporate gigs. Go and start your career!” he urged.
Following her elimination, a grateful Hannah reflected, “Thank you, judges, for this whole experience. I am so lucky and extremely grateful. This is not the end.”
Bony Onyango, 25, QLD
Bony Onyango initially didn’t receive a Golden Ticket after his auto-tuned audition garnered mixed reactions. However, Kyle went rogue and brought him back. He was paired with William and Jazz for Top 24 and, after the Top 21 round, Marcia admitted: “We are so happy Kyle did what he did.”
He powered through the competition and secured a spot in the Top 10. His natural talent shone during his rendition of I Don’t Care by Ed Sheeran and Justin Bieber, but unfortunately, Bony didn’t receive enough votes to make the Top 8 and was eliminated alongside Hannah.
“Thank you for how you guys received me. It’s been super dope I guess we will see you guys on the other side,” Bony said, following his elimination.
Kyle reassured him, saying, “Thank you for how you guys received me. It’s been super dope I guess we will see you guys on the other side.”
While Amy added, “I’m not worried about you at all. Tomorrow, you are going to get back into the studio.”
Mzuki, 28, VIC
Mzuki raised Kyle’s eyebrows with her version of Missy Elliott‘s Get Your Freak On and was sent through to the Top 30. After that, she took part in a group performance with Giestare and Jaylena.
In the Top 12 live performances of Australian Idol 2025, Mzuki gave her spin on Gangsta’s Paradise by Coolio featuring L.V. However, she fell just short of the Top 10 after failing to receive enough votes and was eliminated alongside Aaliyah Duchesne.
Aaliyah Duchesne, 27, NSW
Aaliyah Duchesne brought the judges to tears at the auditions with her rendition of Angel of Mine by Monica, which was dedicated to her mum.
Throughout the competition, she brought her soulful style to performances including God Is a Woman by Ariana Grande, Call Out My Name by The Weeknd, All My Life by K-Ci & JoJo, and Time After Time by Cyndi Lauper.
However, Aaliyah’s journey was cut short after she didn’t receive enough votes to make it into the Top 10, leaving the competition alongside Mzuki.
Keely Ellen, 18, QLD
Keely Ellen brought the judges to tears with her heartfelt rendition of Always on My Mind by Elvis Presley during auditions.
Her journey came to an end in Episode 14 during Transformation Week after performing The First Cut Is The Deepest by Sheryl Crow. Marcia encouraged her to embrace more stillness in her delivery, while Amy praised her as “a real artist” but said she felt the audience hadn’t fully connected with her yet.
Chris Ah Gee, 31, QLD
Chris scored a Golden Ticket for his performance of Kiss from a Rose by Seal, and his wife, Jazz, was sent to the Top 30 during the same episode. However, she was eliminated during the Top 24 round.
Chris was cut just before the Top 12 after performing Like It Like That by Australian Idol alum Guy Sebastian. Amy called it a solid performance but felt it leaned too much into a karaoke-style approach that was a little too “true to the song.” Kyle, while impressed by his makeover, joked that he felt like he was at a “Christian youth concert” and said he needed to roughen up his image.
Jinja Blue, 21, QLD
Jinja Blue completely reimagined Call Me by Blondie and scored herself a Golden Ticket. Next, she performed with Hannah and John for the Top 24.
Her time on Idol ended in Episode 14 after a cover of Breathless by The Corrs, which Amy called “elegant and classic”. Kyle praised her beautiful delivery, while Marcia admired her determination and growth. However, despite the positive feedback, it wasn’t quite enough to push her into the Top 12.
Dinley Jones, 26, NSW
The Sydney Kings Mascot, Dinley Jones, had us grooving with his take on Classic by MKTO. He was part of the only group of four at the Top 24 alongside Abbey, Clint and Aaliyah.
Unfortunately Dinley was eliminated in Episode 13 during Transformation Week after performing DJ Got Us Fallin’ in Love by Usher. While Amy called him “a born entertainer,” the judges were dubious about his vocals and versatility.
Majeda, 26, NSW
Majeda had us feeling funky with her cover of Juice by Lizzo. She continued the vibe with a rendition of Someone You Loved by Lewis Capaldi with Henry and Chris during the group performance. She narrowly scraped into the Top 21 after forgetting lyrics and being put on notice three times during Top 30 week. “This is finally my moment to really prove myself and get the judges on my side,” she has said.
Her run ended in Episode 13 after covering Super Bass by Nicki Minaj. While the judges said it was her best performance yet, her earlier missteps meant she sadly fell short of the Top 12.
Izellah Connelly, 18, QLD
Izellah Connelly had us in our feels with her soulful cover of Jealous by Labrinth. She performed with Marsall and Iilysh during the Top 24.
She was eliminated in Episode 13 after belting out Dusk Till Dawn by Zayn. Marcia called her voice “compelling” and “outstanding,” while Amy described her as an “old soul of beauty.” But despite having one of the best voices in the competition, the judges (particularly Kyle) felt she wasn’t memorable enough to move forward.
Hazel Symonds, 16, VIC
Hazel Symonds‘ rendition of The One That Got Away by Katy Perry saw her score a Golden Ticket at the auditions. She went on to perform Katy’s song Firework with Kiedis and Gisella.
She was eliminated in Episode 12 during Transformation Week after singing Chandelier by Sia, with judges praising her voice but urging her to show more personality and vulnerability.
Clint Posselt, 29, QLD
Clint Posselt had us doing a double take when he busted out a rap during his rendition of Black and Gold by Sam Sparro. The former Love Island Australia star was grouped with Abbie, Dinley and Aaliyah during the Top 24.
He missed out on a Top 21 spot after his take on Lovin On Me by rapper Jack Harlow in Episode 12. Kyle wasn’t impressed, calling it “de-cooled” and claimed, “One fan thought it was good, the rest of us thought it was shit.”
Jaylena Heuskes, 24, SA
Jaylena Heuskes blew the judges away with Senorita by Justin Timberlake at the auditions. She performed Dilemma by Kelly Rowland and Nelly in the Top 24 round with Giestare and Mzuki. She was eliminated in Episode 12 after singing Espresso by Sabrina Carpenter.
The judges praised her star quality, however, Marcia cautioned against exhausting the audience with too many high-energy performances, and asked to see some more stillness.
Abbie Ferries, 25, SA
Abbie Ferries was sent home from Australian Idol after singing Austin (Boots Stop Workin’) by Dasha, which the judges found lacklustre.
Kiedis, 16, WA
Having received multiple notices throughout the competition, Kiedis was eliminated after a touching rendition of This Town by Niall Horran, with the judges deeming him talented but too green for now.
Paxton Smith, 20, QLD
Paxton Smith tried her best to overcome some big emotions during soundcheck but was ultimately eliminated after a powerful performance of Bring Me to Life by Evanescence.
Noah Lagesse, 28, WA
Noah Lagesse was dumped from the competition after an overly “harsh” performance of Fortunate Son by Creedence Clearwater Revival.
Geistare Bubenaite, 23, SA
Geistare was knocked out of Australian Idol 2025 after a gorgeous rendition of Kelly Rowland and Nelly’s Dilemma with Jaylena and Mzuki.
Henry West, 23, QLD
HenryWest performed Lewis Capaldi‘s Someone You Loved alongside Chris and Majeda and was eliminated after forgetting the words.
Jazz Ella, 27, QLD
Jazz Ella, Wiliam, and Bony belted out their take on Bad Habits by Ed Sheeran and the 27-year-old was sent home following some harsh criticism from the judges.
Griffin Morris, 24, QLD
Griffin Morris was part of a group performance of Go Your Own Way by Fleetwood Mac but was eliminated from the competition after forgetting the words.
Liam Barton, 25, QLD
Liam Barton left Australian Idol 2025 after he took part in the group performance with a cover of Youngblood by 5 Seconds of Summer. The judges, Ricki-Lee Coulter, Kyle Sandilands and Marcia Hines, deemed his performance the weakest.
Shiloh Kayondo, 20, Queensland
Shiloh performed Dancing on My Own by Robyn during the group round and was eliminated from the competition.
