Who won Australian Idol? Royston Sagigi-Baira wins 2023 finale over WA rising star Phoebe Stewart

Australia crowned Royston Sagigi-Baira its 2023 Australian Idol winner on Sunday night in an epic finale.

After two months of awe-inspiring performances the Thanakwith and Wagadagam man took home the $100,000 grand prize and a recording contract with industry giant Sony Music.

The 23-year-old was up against WA rising star Phoebe Stewart, who took home second place ahead of Melbourne musician Josh Hannan.

A whopping two million people voted for the top three.

Royston, who was celebrating with the other contestants and his family backstage when he spoke to The West Australian, said winning felt like a dream.

“The main reason I came on this show was to show representation and show the kids that it doesn’t matter where you come from,” he said.

“In remote Indigenous communities there’s not a lot of opportunities and kids feel like they can’t follow their dreams.

“If I can change one little kid’s mind and make them think ‘wow if Royston can do it then I can’, then my job’s done.”

The audience lapped up Royston’s performances of I Can’t Make You Love Me by Bonnie Raitt and When You Believe by Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey.

“This is only the beginning and I’m just going to really use every avenue to get far in the industry,” he said.

Josh Hannan was the first to be eliminated after singing James Bay’s Hold Back the River.

Busselton singing sensation Phoebe took Royston all the way, having hit the stage to perform renditions of Believe by Cher and Elton John’s Your Song.

The 15-year-old had the crowd swaying, waving their hands as she belted out the high notes.

Judges Kyle Sandilands, Megan Trainor, Amy Shark, and Harry Connick Jr all sung her praises.

American pop sensation Trainor called her a queen, telling her she was set to be a big star while Connick Jr said he couldn’t stop smiling.

WA Premier Mark McGowan and 7NEWS Perth presenters Rick Ardon and Susannah Carr were among those to send supportive video messages to Phoebe, as she vied for top spot.

“Everyone from WA is behind you,” Ardon said.

There was also time for Australian Idol royalty Jessica Mauboy to perform her new single Right Here, Right Now, before the winner was announced.

After the performance, the judges handed the difficult decision of who to crown as the winner to the public.

On hearing Australia’s decision, Royston was overcome by emotion.

“It makes me emotional to know those kids are watching me,” he said.

“I’ve come really far from being that really shy boy in my remote Indigenous community.”

Despite not winning, Phoebe has big things planned and is hopes to one day emulate her hero Adele.

“I’m very proud of myself for coming this far,” she said.

“It’s a phenomenal thing I got to do.”

She said she hoped to release her own music soon.

“I’m wanting to release my own songs and to put them out into the world.”