A first look at the upcoming new season of Australian Idol features beloved American Idol alums, Jennifer Hudson, Kelly Clarkson and Adam Lambert. Australian Idol graduates Guy Sebastian and Jessica Mauboy are also featured.
Adam Lambert is well known to Aussie TV audiences, as he judges on the eight and final season of X Factor Australia in 2016. He mentored the winning singer, Isaiah Firebrace.
In the clip, seven hopefuls from all over Australia are featured singing Rihanna’s “Diamonds.” They idea is that the new talent is about to “shine bright” like a precious gem.
The judges, former American Idol panelist, Harry Connick Jr., pop star Meghan Trainor, singer-songwriter Amy Shark and media personality Kyle Sandilands travelled the country to audition singers. The show will be hosted by Ricki-Lee, discovered on Australian Idol in 2004 and former E! host Scott Tweedie.
Australian Idol First Look featuring American Idol favorites
“I love the camaraderie with the judges, the excitement of the crowd and the fun of it all,” he said. “I love the idea of musical competition – it forces performers to focus on a bunch of things that contribute to their development as artists.”
Harry was a famously tough judge when he sat on the American Idol panel from seasons 13-15 (2014-2016), offering up more than just puffy platitudes for the contestants. He cited his own tough musical training as a kid in New Orleans to explain why he held the talent to high standards.
Meghan,who grew up watching American Idol, said she was “honoured” to join the Australian version.
“I can’t wait to sit front row and meet new talent,” she said. “I haven’t been to Australia since 2015, so I’m really excited to get to see the whole country and basically get to live there.”
Meghan is no stranger to television singing competitions. She sat on The Voice UK panel, served as a Team Blake Shelton advisor on The Voice US and was a judge on Seasons 1 and 2 of the FOX competition The Four.
Australian Idol originally aired on Network 10 from 2003-2009 and is coming soon to Channel 7 and 7plus.
