Royston Sagigi-Baira struggles to perform new single after winning Australian Idol during gaffe plagued finale – as judge Kyle Sandilands shocks with his cruel comments for teenage runner-up Phoebe Stewart
Royston Sagigi-Baira has won the 2023 season of Australian Idol after the public votes were tallied during Sunday night’s grand finale.
The winner takes home prize money of $100,000 and a record deal with Sony Music, as well as a trip to the USA to work with industry leaders.
‘I just want to say thank you’ a tearful Royston said after the announcement was made.
‘Thank you so much, everyone who voted for me. Thank all this mob up here, all my family and friends’ he continued.
‘Everyone who’s been voting. I don’t know what else to say. Thank you so much!’ he added.
Royston Sagigi-Baira (pictured) has won the 2023 season of Australian Idol after the public votes were tallied during Sunday night’s grand finale
Royston had kind words for runner-up Phoebe Stewart, saying she was like a sister to him that she had a ‘big career’ ahead of her.
He then performed his winner’s single, Invincible, but was plagued with audio issues and looked confused as he mumbled several of the lyrics during a shaky start.
Despite the early fumble, Royston managed to launch into the track with gusto after the first verse.
It was tense a showdown between the three finalists, Royston Sagigi-Baira, 23, Phoebe Stewart, 15, and Josh Hannan, 20.
‘I just want to say thank you’ a tearful Royston said after the announcement was made
Royston had kind words for runner-up Phoebe Stewart (left), saying she was like a sister to him that she had a ‘big career’ ahead of her
Josh was knocked out of the competition in third place, leaving Phoebe and Royston vying for the crown.
When asked who he would be looking forward to playing on this KIIS FM radio show tomorrow, judge Kyle Sandilands shocked viewers with his dismissive comments.
‘Whoever wins will have the record… The other one I will never hear from again’ he said, to audible gasps from the studio audience.
‘Well I’m just saying,’ he shrugged, before adding that he’ll try to ‘keep in touch’ with the runner up.
When asked who he would be looking forward to playing on this KIIS FM radio show tomorrow, judge Kyle Sandilands (pictured) shocked viewers with his dismissive comments
‘Whoever wins will have the record… The other one I will never hear from again’ he said, to audible gasps from the studio audience
Host Ricki-Lee Coulter urgently tried to change the subject, laughing nervously and asking judge Meghan Trainor to ‘help her’.
The finale was plagued with issues, from Royston’s final performance to Kyle’s comments, and a literal stumble from Phoebe.
The teen went tumbling as the winner announcement drew near, tripping and falling as she approached the hosts for the final decision.
‘Good role models don’t to that, guys. That’s not a good example. Continue’ she said awkwardly before the show went on.
The reboot of Australian Idol has been a spectacular flop for Channel Seven as the show has struggled in the battle for ratings.
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