The confetti hasn’t even been swept away from last night’s stage, but the tension is already reaching a fever pitch. After a brutal triple elimination that saw John, Jacinta, and Trè hang up their microphones, Australian Idol has officially locked in its top three contenders for 2026.
It is a showdown! We have Harlan Goode, the 18-year-old Brisbane powerhouse; Kalani Artis, the 23-year-old soul from the NSW Central Coast; and Kesha Oayda, the 21-year-old vocal force from Jindabyne.
As we head into the two-part grand final next week, the stakes have never been higher. Let’s look at how we got here and why this finale is shaping up to be one for the history books.
The Heartbreak Before the High
Last night’s episode was a reminder of how quickly the Idol dream can end. Saying goodbye to three talented performers at once is never easy, but it has paved the way for a truly diverse final trio.
Brisbane’s Harlan Goode remains the youngest in the competition. Despite his age, his composure has been his greatest asset. “I don’t think anyone can prepare you for this whole experience,” Harlan shared after the results. His gratitude was palpable, and his fan base in Queensland is proving to be a formidable force in the voting blocks.
Experience vs. Raw Talent
On the other side of the stage, we have Kalani Artis and Kesha Oayda representing New South Wales. Kalani, at 23, has often been described as the “polished” performer of the season. He noted that the show “molds people,” and his evolution from the first audition to the top three suggests he has taken every piece of judges’ feedback to heart.
Then there is Kesha Oayda. Hailing from the snowy peaks of Jindabyne, she has brought a certain “cool” factor to the competition. She described the journey as “life-changing,” and her emotional connection to her lyrics has consistently placed her as a frontrunner with the viewing public.
What Is Actually on the Line?
While the title of Australian Idol is the ultimate goal, the prize pool for 2026 is nothing short of transformative. The winner won’t just walk away with $100,000 in prize money; they are being handed the keys to a career. The package includes:
- A professional recording contract with Hive Sound Studios.
- An invitation to a songwriting camp with Sony Music Publishing.
- Specialist marketing and social media strategy from The Annex.
- The quintessential “industry debut” with attendance at both the ARIA and Logie Awards.
It doesn’t matter who you are backing, the Brisbane underdog or the NSW powerhouses because one thing is certain, the 2026 finale is going to be a show stopper.
You can catch all the high-stakes action of the Australian Idol grand final on Channel 7.
If you aren’t near a television or prefer to watch on your own schedule, the entire season (including the upcoming two-part finale) is available to stream live and on-demand via 7plus.
When to Tune In Live:
- The Performance Night: Monday, 13 April
- The Grand Finale (Results): Tuesday, 14 April
Both episodes are scheduled to air at 7:30 pm. It is a good idea to jump on the 7plus app a few minutes early to make sure your connection is stable, you wouldn’t want a buffering wheel to ruin the moment the winner is announced! “and the winner is… brrrr pop grrrr wizzz”
