The Australian Idol 2026 Grande Final divided viewers last night as the top three contestants, Harlan Goode, Kalani Artis and Kesha Oayda, returned to the stage for the final time and the winner was crowned. It was a fierce and tight battle to the finish as Kesha and Harlan were the last two standing after Kalani’s elimination earlier on Tuesday night. In the end, Kesha – performing her original audition song of Die With A Smile – took home the crown.
After receiving the news, Kesha spoke about how grateful she was for her tight-knit community back home and for growing up in a musical household with a father who nurtured her talent, and who also performed on stage with her in one of the live shows.
This was a historic win as Kesha’s success marks the first female winner of the show in 19 years (go girls).
While Kesha Oayda proved that girls truly do get it done, not everyone is happy with the result.
A woman hasn’t won Australian Idol in almost two decades
When news of Kesha’s win circulated online, fans around Australia (and beyond) were cheering for her on social media, expressing just how inspiring it was to see a woman finally take home the crown after all these years.
“Congratulations Kesha, you both did so well tonight and the first female to win in a long time absolutely incredible,” one fan wrote.
“Yes, well deserve congratulations Kesha, I have waited for so long to have a female winner and it truly paid off,” another fan said on a post announcing her win.
“I love to see a female winner again because it has been so long!!” one viewer said.
“The drought has been broken!!!” another wrote in agreement.
The Australian Idol result has divided fans
Despite this historic win for Kesha (and women), there is of course a lot of heartbreak too for Harlan and everyone who voted for him.
“I’m heartbroken for Harlan! I was so confident he would have won. I really hope to see more of him soon!” one fan wrote in support of Harlan.
“All the teeny boppy girls voted for Kesha. Voting needs to be changed. Bad result,” one viewer shared on X.
“Same as when Anthony should have won in 2004 but was beaten by Casey,” another viewer wrote, comparing Kesha’s win over Harlan to Casey Donovan’s win over Anthony Callea in 2004, Australian Idol’s second season.
Many fans have flooded comment sections online in support for Harlan, stressing that the “runner-up always makes it further with their career,” referencing Aussie music icons Jessica Mauboy and Anthony Callea.
While some of these comments were made to lift Harlan up, they also brought down Kesha in the process at a time that is sentimental for many.
Who was the last female winner of Australian Idol?
Despite the Casey and Anthony comparison, majority of the nostalgia fans brought to the table for this season’s finale centred around Natalie Gauci’s 2007 win – that is, the last time a woman won Australian Idol 19 years ago.
While Natalie has been open about her struggle with fame and success, and the rise and falls that she’s experienced throughout her career, her win still struct a cord with fans, even after all these years.