Australian Idol makes history as 2026 winner is announced

Harlan, Kesha and Kalani hit the stage one last time before the winner was announced in an emotional finale. But not everyone is thrilled with the result.

It feels like a hot minute since the show returned to our screens but Australian Idol has just crowned their 2026 winner.

In a two-part grand finale, Harlan Goode, 18, Kalani Artis, 23, and Kesha Oayda, 21, battled it out for the crown with some standout performances – including solo numbers and calling in some Aussie singing heavyweights.

Ultimately, it was Kesha’s night, being crowned the winner for 2026 – the first female to win in over 18 years.

In the historical victory, Kesha fought back tears as she thanked all the crew, judges and “everyone who has voted for me.”

Harlan and Kesha – the final two. Picture: Supplied
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Kalani was the first to be eliminated in the final three, leaving Harlan and Kesha standing as the final two. We got one more sprinkle of gold with Harlan taking on ABBA’s The Winner Takes It All and Kesha nailing Die With A Smile by Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga – both their original audition songs.

Judges Marcia Hines, Kyle Sandilands and Amy Shark were impressed with both final performances but it was Amy’s comment about Kesha that hinted what was to come.

“You are the most talented, coolest chick I’ve seen on Australian Idol so far,” she declared.

Fans are torn over the winner

While Kyle celebrated the win by jumping back up on the judges table the same way he did when Kesha performed for the first time in the live shows, not everyone was thrilled with the result at home.

“All the teeny boppy girls voted for Kesha. Voting needs to be changed. Bad result. BOOOOOOOOOO,” one disappointed viewer shared on X.

“Honestly Harlan should’ve won,” another wrote.

Meanwhile, others were thrilled to see the female drought be broken with Kesha’s win.

“Kesha has become the first female to win @AustralianIdol since Natalie Gauci in 2007, the drought has been broken, very well deserved. So happy for her,” a fan shared.

Kesha is crowned the 2026 Australian Idol winner. Picture: Supplied
Final performances with Aussie megastars

It was an emotionally-driven two-day grand finale as the top three finalists took to the stage one last time on the reality TV series, which included one solo performance and another duet with some big names in Aussie music.

Kalani was the first to perform the megastar duet on episode one, hitting the soft notes of Better Days with local crooner Pete Murray. Prior to that, he took on David Bowie’s hit Heroes.

Jindabyne local Kesha powered through the vocals of Adele and When We Were Young before taking to the stage with another music powerhouse, Vanessa Amorosi, and her hit track Shine.

Harlan and Anthony Callea’s rendition of The Prayer was loved by many. Picture: Channel 7
 

Following on from his first performance of Fame by Irene Cara, ballad prince Harlan then hit the spotlight with former Idol contestant Anthony Callea. They took on Callea’s famous rendition of The Prayer and there was not a dry eye in the house.

The performance had plenty of viewers convinced the youngster was worthy of the crown.

“OMG that duo was INSANE Winner incoming,” one fan wrote on Instagram.

“If he doesn’t win it’s gonna be a hard one to accept – enjoyed all 3 tonight but he really is in a league of his own,” another shared.

And another wrote: “Your performance tonight with Anthony had me in tears, Harlan – you are just next level, so incredibly beautiful.”

Australian Idol finalists for 2026 … Picture: Channel 7
Now it’s showtime for the Aus Idol winner

Finale day two saw the top 12 return with our grand finalists with a group rendition of Donna Lewis’ I Love You Always Forever before our final three showed off their stage and vocal skills one last time – and then, the winner announcement.

As winner of Idol, Keshawill receive $100,000 in prize money and an exclusive recording package with Hive Sound Studios.

She will also get to attend a songwriting camp with Sony Music Publishing, as well as marketing and social media support from The Annex and VIP tickets to the ARIA Awards and TV WEEK Logie Awards.