New data reveals who the most popular singers from Australian Idol are, 20 years after it premiered – and there are some surprising results.
It’s been 20 years since Guy Sebastian took the Australian Idol crown, but indie superstar Matt Corby has emerged as most popular globally, according to Spotify.
The iconic TV talent show, which first aired on our screens in 2003, has propelled the likes of Guy Sebastian, Jessica Mauboy and Ricki-Lee Coulter to stardom, who’re among countless others to maintain dedicated success in the local music industry years later.
But new data from streaming giant Spotify, collected from 2008 to date, has revealed a surprising candidate among Idol talent who has the most popularity on a global scale.
Sydney singer Matt Corby, who was runner-up on the fifth season of Idol back in 2007, is the most-streamed artist internationally to emerge from the singing series, with 576 million streams thanks to the success of his huge hits, Brother (2011) and Resolution (2014), the latter of which is the most streamed song from any Idol artist.
Australian singer-songwriter Matt Corby is the most popular star internationally to emerge from Australian Idol.
Trailing closely behind Corby, 33, is Sebastian – who was the show’s inaugural winner – with 530 million streams around the world.
Third on the list is Mauboy, who came second on Idol in 2006. The pop singer is followed in fourth place by Stan Walker, who won the 2009 season.
Rounding out the top 10 are, in order, Lisa Mitchell (2006), Shannon Noll (runner-up in 2003), Casey Barnes (2009), Ricki-Lee Coulter (2004), Ngaiire (2004) and Anthony Callea (runner-up in 2004).
In terms of Australian rankings, unsurprisingly, Sebastian, 42, takes out the top spot as the most listened to artist locally with 275 million streams.
The Voice Australia coach’s 2019 song Choir is the most streamed song in Australia from any Idol star, followed by Corby’s Brother in second place and Resolution in third. Sebastian’s 2012 song Battle Scars featuring Lupe Fiasco lands in fourth.
Guy Sebastian is the number one streamed artist in Australia, while Shannon Noll sits in sixth place. Picture: Facebook
Sebastian and Corby’s popularity can be largely credited to the Gen Z age group, with the pair among the most streamed artists in the demographic alongside Mauboy, Hayley Warner, Rob Mills.
On average, baby boomers prefer Wes Carr, Casey Donovan, Paulini, Amali Ward and Damien Leith, while millennials tune into Joel Turner, Kate DeAraugo and Dean Geyer.
Spotify Australia head of music, Alicia Sbrugnera, said Idol superstars’ music continues to grow in popularity on the streamer.
Jess Mauboy is the third most streamed Idol musician globally. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nikki Short
“Australian Idol has grown to become a cultural phenomenon that has, and continues, to shape our nation’s pop and music Zeitgeist,” Sbrugnera said.
“With early seasons gifting the nation with unforgettable moments from Nollsy allegedly being robbed of first place to the first ever double touchdown, it’s evident that Australia’s beloved Idol stars are still a regular part of the nation and the world’s music listening habits.”
Idol finally returned to screens on Channel 7 in January after ending its seven-year run in 2009.
It saw Kyle Sandilands return as judge, where he was joined by international stars Meghan Trainor, Harry Connick Jr, and local songstress Amy Shark.
Queensland music student Royston Sagigi-Baira took out the rebooted season, scoring a Sony recording contract and $100,000.
For the 2024 season, Sandilands and Shark will be bolstered by the comeback of original Idol judge Marcia Hines.
