Royston Sagigi-Baira won the 2023 season of Australian Idol after the public’s votes were counted during the Sunday night grand finale.
The winner takes home $100,000 prize money and a record deal with Sony Music, plus a trip to the US to work with industry leaders.
“I just want to say thank you,” Royston said through tears after the announcement was made.
‘Thank you very much to everyone who voted for me. Thanks to all this mob up here, to all my family and friends,’ he continued.
‘Everyone who has been voting. I do not know what else to say. Thank you so much!’ she added.
Royston Sagigi-Baira (pictured) has won the 2023 season of Australian Idol after the public’s votes were counted during the Sunday night grand finale.
The finale was plagued with problems, from Royston’s messy final performance to cruel comments from judge Kyle Sandiland, and a literal stumble from finalist Phoebe Stewart (left)
Royston had kind words for teen finalist Phoebe Stewart, saying she was like a sister to him and he had a “great career” ahead of him.
He then performed his winner’s single, Invincible, but was plagued with audio problems and seemed confused as he mumbled several of the lyrics during a shaky start.
Royston looked stunned as he muttered ‘What?’ and he hit his ear, indicating that he couldn’t hear clearly because he couldn’t sing the correct words.
Despite the early fumble, Royston managed to rally and launch into the court with gusto after the first verse.
It was a tense showdown between the three finalists, Royston Sagigi-Baira, 23, Phoebe Stewart, 15, and Josh Hannan, 20.
“I just want to say thank you,” Royston said through tears after the announcement was made.
Royston had kind words for runner-up Phoebe, saying she was like a sister to him and he had a “great career” ahead of him.
Josh was eliminated from the competition in third place, leaving Phoebe and Royston to compete for the crown.
Judges Meghan Trainor and Harry Connick Jr. had kind words for the two finalists, but Kyle Sandilands surprised with his dismissive comments.
When asked who he’d like to play tomorrow on this KIIS FM radio show, Kyle was blunt.
“Whoever wins will keep the record… I’ll never hear from the other one again,” he said, drawing audible gasps from the studio audience.
“Well, just saying,” he shrugged, before adding that he’ll try to “keep in touch” with the runner-up.
When asked who would like to play tomorrow on this KIIS FM radio show, judge Kyle Sandilands (pictured) surprised viewers with his dismissive comments.
“Whoever wins will keep the record… I’ll never hear from the other one again,” he said, to audible gasps from the studio audience.
Host Ricki-Lee Coulter (far left) urgently tried to change the subject, giggling nervously and asking Judge Meghan Trainor to “help” her.
Host Ricki-Lee Coulter urgently tried to change the subject, giggling and asking Judge Meghan Trainor to “help” her.
The finale was plagued with problems, from Royston’s final performance to Kyle’s comments to a literal stumbling block by Phoebe.
The teen cartwheeled as the winner’s announcement neared, tripping and falling as she approached the hosts to make the final decision.
‘Good role models don’t do that, guys. That is not a good example. Carry on,’ she said awkwardly before the show continued.
The Australian Idol reboot has been a spectacular flop for Channel Seven as the singing contest has struggled in the battle for ratings.
Royston then performed his winner’s single, Invincible, but was plagued with audio problems and appeared confused as he mumbled several of the lyrics during a shaky start.
Royston looked stunned as he muttered ‘What?’ and he hit his ear, indicating that he couldn’t hear clearly because he couldn’t sing the correct words
Channel Seven’s ambitious attempt at Marriage at First Sight with a revamped Australian heartthrob turned out to be a disappointment.
The show has had ratings not only behind MAFS, but has also been struggling to stay ahead of Channel 10’s Survivor in prime time.
In February, MAFS averaged around 810,000 overnight viewers in five-city metropolitan markets and 1.8 million in total TV figures, taking into account time-shift playback figures and broadcast views.
Australian Survivor comes in second with around 450,000 metropolitan viewers (around 760,000 total TV), while Idol, armed with its expensive panel of judges and huge production costs, has had an average metropolitan viewing of about 400,000 and a total TV average of 800,000 viewers.
The Australian Idol reboot has been a spectacular flop for Channel Seven as the singing contest has struggled in the battle for ratings. The judges are in the photo.
