Australian Idol locks in its Top 3 as record votes roll in
Grand Finale stars emerge as brands eye Idol's high-impact reach on Seven and 7plus.
After a record-breaking one million votes and a razor-thin margin, Australian Idol has locked in its 2025 Grand Finalists: 16-year-old Gisella Colletti (WA), 17-year-old Iilysh Retallick (NSW), and 19-year-old Marshall Hamburger (QLD).
In an emotionally charged live verdict on Seven and 7plus, the Top 6 gave everything in solo performances, with less than 1% separating those moving forward from those going home.
Gisella Colletti, Iilysh Retallick, Marshall Hamburger make up Australian Idol's Top 3 for 2025
A high-stakes stage
The show opened with Shawn Mendes' There's Nothing Holdin’ Me Back, before diving into the solo showstoppers.
Each artist brought their signature sound: from Gisella's powerhouse Celine Dion cover to Iilysh's rock-ready Mr Brightside, and Marshall's throwback charm on King Of Wishful Thinking.
Gisella makes Australian Idol Top 3 as Jaymon is eliminated.
Farewells, fandom and future stars
Queensland's Jake Whittaker, Jaymon Bob and Melbourne's William Le Brun were eliminated, but judges praised their potential.
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"You are sorted," Kyle Sandilands told Jake, while Amy Shark called Jaymon "absolutely amazing".
Marcia Hines said of William, "You light up the room", and teased a future duet.
As the Grand Finale approaches, the finalists say they are ready to shine.
"You are making a little girl's dream right now", said Iilysh. "I feel it in my bones", added Marshall. And from Gisella: "Thank you Australia for voting. Thank you Perth for backing me."
Capping off the show, Idol alumnus Jessica Mauboy returned to the stage with I’m Sorry, her first performance since becoming a mum. "I’ve played incredible stages," she said, “but she's (her daughter) is the most incredible person I’ve ever met."
Australian Idol's Grand Finale week will see the Top 3 and some of Australia's biggest names in music perform: Guy Sebastian, Casey Donovan, Tina Arena and Marcia Hines.
