Australian Idol Winner Royston Wants to Inspire Kids Like Him

The votes have been counted and Australia has chosen Royston Sagigi-Baira as their Australian Idol.

On a night filled with technical challenges and a tumble from runner up Phoebe Stewart, Queenslander Royston took the crown and the ultimate prize – a recording contract with Sony Music and $100,000 in prize money.

96five’s Ken and Nicky spoke with Royston about how the biggest night of his life was also filled with some technical difficulties.

“There was no house audio so the judges and the audience couldn’t hear anything, but I didn’t know until this morning that on TV it was fine” Royston said.

“I stopped halfway because I thought it’s not working and let’s just start again but then I was like, this is live, we can’t start again.

Royston, who learned to play the guitar and sing in church, said sharing the experience with friends and family from home was incredibly special.

“I grew up in a small indigenous community and grew up exactly like those kids and I want them to know, you can do it too.”

“My hearts warm and I’m hopefully changing lives… that mindset that if Royston can do it, I can do it.” Royston Sagigi-Baira

Twenty years ago, Australia crowned its first ever Australian Idol, Guy Sebastian who along with other artists like Jessica Mauboy and Matt Corby, have gone on to have successful music careers thanks to the Idol franchise.

Royston described his time on Australian Idol as a big learning experience that he can take into his music career.

“Being an artist, being on stage, finding the camera, all the technical stuff but also how much I can push myself”.

“There were times where I was like, I don’t know if I can do this because it’s so tough day in and day out but now I know how much I can push. I know I can work hard and I’m definitely taking that from the show.”

Listen to the full interview in the player above.