Australian Idol 2025 wrapped up with a spectacular grand finale on the night of April 7, but what made this season truly unforgettable were the standout performances that stole hearts across the nation. From stunning solos to star-studded duets, the top contestants delivered moments that fans won’t forget anytime soon. Here’s a recap of the most iconic performances of the season.
Iilysh Retallick & Wolfmother – A Rock Showdown
When Iilysh Retallick took the stage alongside Wolfmother, the energy in the studio was electric. The fusion of her edgy vocals with the iconic Australian rock band’s explosive sound had the judges on their feet. Her performance was not only a vocal powerhouse but also a display of confidence and stage presence that screamed “superstar in the making.”
Gisella Colletti & Tina Arena – A Masterclass in Emotion
Gisella Colletti’s duet with Tina Arena was a breathtaking moment. Singing a heartfelt ballad, Gisella delivered raw emotion and flawless control that had even the toughest judge, Kyle Sandilands, visibly moved. Her ability to channel deep emotion through music reminded everyone why Australian Idol is a platform for discovering true artistry.
Marshall Hamburger & Leo Sayer – A Joyful Blend of Generations
Marshall Hamburger’s lively performance with Leo Sayer brought a refreshing old-school vibe to the Idol stage. Their duet was vibrant, fun, and a true celebration of musical harmony between generations. Marshall’s stage charisma and adaptability made this one of the most talked-about performances of the night.
Other Standouts From the Season
- Gisella’s semi-final solo: Her rendition of a modern pop ballad showed impressive vocal range and technical precision.
- Iilysh’s unplugged acoustic set: A minimalist moment that highlighted her rich, soulful tone and connection with lyrics.
- Marshall’s genre switch-up: Transitioning from pop to jazz in an earlier round, he proved his versatility and creativity.
Why These Performances Stood Out
What made these performances the best of Australian Idol 2025 wasn’t just vocal ability. It was a combination of artistic identity, emotional delivery, technical control, and audience connection. Whether you’re a fan of powerhouse vocals, emotional storytelling, or genre-bending creativity, this season had something for everyone.
Culcairn teenager Iilysh Retallick has fallen short of the Australian Idol crown but has still won the hearts of many across the country. The 17-year-old was announced as the runner-up to Queensland's Marshall Hamburger on Monday evening, April 7, at Sydney Coliseum Theatre, with Western Australia's Gisella Colletti, also 17, taking third place. Back in her hometown more than 500 kilometres away, the crowd of people at Culcairn Sports Ground's viewing party erupted into applause and cheers for Iilysh, despite disappointment she didn't take home the title.
Week after week, the supermarket worker delivered stellar rock performances, with her final songs for votes on Sunday evening, April 6, drawing great praise. Since her audition, Iilysh's social media has been flooded with comments likening her to the Divinyls' late frontwoman Chrissy Amphlett, so her electrifying performance of "Boys in Town" delighted many, including judge Marcia Hines. "You were so unusually incredible," she said. "Because from the very beginning, I said to so many people who wanted to listen, she reminds me of Chrissy Amphlett. She just reminds me of her and there you are singing that song, you're quietly spoken and you come up here and you raise hell!" Hines said she wished Iilysh "all the luck".
On stage, Iilysh rocked her signature lace-up boots and a metallic-looking blazer dress fit with chains and accompanied with black eyeliner as flames lit up around her and the wind machine blew through her hair. Judge Amy Shark was amazed at her performance, and thought about the rockstars she had met with a similar personality to Iilysh. "They're all very soft-spoken, quite calm dudes off stage and then they turn into beasts as soon as they get on stage," she said. "That is you, babe, you are an absolute beast up there. That was epic!" Judge Kyle Sandilands also praised the Billabong High School student. "There is no doubt you are a fantastic performer, the vocals are great, you always choose the right songs and you're very likeable because we see the real you and people see the transformation, it's all you," he said. "You're just a big circle of greatness in every way, shape and form, you're going to be very hard to beat."
Later in the evening, Iilysh performed a duet with Wolfmother's vocalist and guitarist Andrew Stockdale, fresh from Wodonga's Red Hot Summer Tour. Together they stole the stage singing the band's popular single "Joker and the Thief." This time dressed in teal with a black leather top, Iilysh looked comfortable performing alongside the band's lead member. "That was incredible, you almost blew the roof off this place!" host Ricki-Lee Coulter said. The judges were also in awe of the duet and Stockdale referred to Iilysh as "a seasoned pro." "Andrew! You could have another bandmate, that was wild," Shark said. Sandilands said the pair "killed it." "It's like a gold nugget, she's just sitting out there in the middle of Australia somewhere, thank god for shows like this," he said.
On Monday evening, April 7, Iilysh returned to the stage twice to sing Olivia Rodrigo's "good 4 u" and also took a step back in time with her audition song, Alanis Morissette's "You Oughta Know," drawing widespread praise from the crowd and judges. Culcairn Butchery's custom sweet chili and mango sausages to honour the homegrown hero and the town temporarily changing its name to Cold Can have just been some examples of the southern Riverina town's support that have captured the country's attention. Although she didn't quite get there, Sandilands promised her he would buy her a van so she is ready to hit the road with her musical talent. There is no doubt Culcairn is feeling proud of their rockstar's efforts.
