'Australian Idol' Returns: Judges Confirmed

Australian Idol will return to our screens in 2025, and according to a new report, it’s very likely that we’ll be seeing some familiar faces next year.

The Daily Telegraph reports that Marcia Hines, Kyle Sandilands, and Amy Shark will return as judges of next year’s season of Australian Idol, reprising the same judging line-up as this year. Auditions for the 2025 season are currently taking place in Sydney.

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“We’ve had a good couple of days; from last year, we had such a different diverse group,” Sandilands told the publication. He added that the latest season inspired “a lot of great people with some styles we haven’t seen,” stating that the judges are “a little bit open to something new.”

Shark added that the 2024 season – which saw the folk-country singer Dylan Wright take home the win – set the bar “super high”, and the judging panel have “even bigger” expectations for the forthcoming season.

Wright won over Amy Reeves and fellow country artist Denvah Baker-Moller, taking home $100,000 in prize money and a recording contract with Sony Music Entertainment Australia. He busted out a rousing performance of Elton John’s Tiny Dancer for his final performance.

Hines hinted that the judges have witnessed “extremely different” singers, stating that where in the past, they would have simply said no to some singers, they’re questioning whether said singers “might just have a quirky side” they’ll see down the line.

While the most recent season was packed with country artists, next year could be the opposite. Sandilands teased, “We saw more country last year. Right now, we are seeing a lot of guitar boys, pop girls, a lot of screamo, even.”

At the time of publication, no air date has been revealed for Australian Idol 2025. Stay tuned for more information as it arrives.