Has 'Australian Idol' Spoiled Kaitlyn Thomas and Piper Butcher’s Fate In The Competition?

In the advertising for tonight’s (February 13) episode of Australian Idol on Channel 7 and 7+, both up and coming country artists, Piper Butcher and Kaitlyn Thomas are shown.

In the clip, during the voice over of ‘some will rise’, Butcher is shown performing on the stage with her guitar to an enthusiastic and eager audience. Whereas under ‘some will fall’, Thomas is shown looking visibly upset, which makes us think she doesn’t advance further in the competition.

While we can't say for sure either way, tonight's episode sees the top 50 compete in a series of group and solo performances in hopes of making it to the top 24.

Australian Idol had seven seasons from 2003-2009 making household names of country singers like Hayley Jensen, James Johnston, Shannon Noll, Wesley Dean and Casey Barnes, as well as singers including Guy Sebastian, Casey Donovan, Rob Mills, Paulini, Jessica Mauboy and Anthony Callea. After a 14-year hiatus, this reimagined season (which premiered on Monday, January 30) sees hopefuls aged 15-28 showcase their talents.

Born and raised in rural Victoria, Thomas began writing her own songs at 8-years-old. She was only 12 years old when ARIA nominated singer-songwriter, Beccy Cole declared to her audience, “There’s a star in the making right there.” The CMAA Academy of Country Music graduate was awarded Australian Youth Songwriter of the Year in 2012 and 2018 and has released a slew of singles including 2021’s Make Your Move.

She made it into the top 50 after receiving four yeses from judges Meghan Trainor, Amy Shark, Harry Connick Jr. and Kyle Sandilands with her rendition of Gretchen Wilson’s Redneck Woman.

In her flared jeans and denim jacket with rhinestones – that she and her mum made after attaching the bling to the op shop purchase – Thomas said during her auditions, “[I’m going to sing] a classic country song, classic woman of country music as well… and it’s absolutely one of my favourites.”

Trainor gasped and replied, “Oh my God, I love this song… it’s a hard one to sing.”

Newcastle singer-songwriter, Butcher released her debut EP in 2021. September peaked at #1 on the Alternative Album iTunes charts and #2 in the All Genre Album iTunes charts. Her latest releases – Read Between The Lines and Unconscious Mind – dropped in 2022.

With Americana meets rock ’n’ roll influences from the likes of Lukas Nelson, Chris Stapleton and Stevie Nicks, the CMAA Academy of Country Music graduate has supported acts such as Diesel, Glenn Shorrock, Gretta Ziller, The Black Sorrows, Richard Clapton, Thirsty Merc, Melody Moko, Josh Pyke and Tori Forsyth, and played alongside Bill Chambers, Gina Jeffreys and Lyn Bowtell to name a few.

She impressed judge Connick Jr. with her stunning rendition of the Imagine Dragons classic Radioactive during the rural home visit.

“Man, look, okay, first of all, on an emotional level, I would buy that tomorrow,” he said.