Toyota Star Maker 2025 Finalists Revealed

As we inch closer to Christmas (and the New Year), so does next year’s Tamworth Country Music Festival and the influential Toyota Star Maker competition.

Happening just two days into next year’s festivities—Sunday, 19 January—one talented Australian artist will be named the 45th Star Maker.

For over four decades, the Star Maker competition has offered a launchpad for emerging country artists from Australia. For the forthcoming competition, the artists hail from Queensland and New South Wales, and some of them are competing for a second year. The top 10 finalists for the 2025 competition are:

2025 TOYOTA STAR MAKER COMPETITION FINALISTS

1. Briana Dinsdale, 21, Longholme Qld

2. Bryce Sainty, 32, Springfield NSW**

3. Cait Jamieson, 18, Toowong Qld

4. Ella Powell, 20, Terrigal NSW

5. Felicity Dowd, 20, Bega NSW**

6. Felicity Kircher, 20, Tingalpa Qld

7. Finnian Johnson, 22, Cessnock NSW**

8. James Keith, 40, Warriewood NSW

9. Kaitlyn Thomas, 24, Rifle Range Qld

10. Teak, 39, Tatham NSW

(**Three top 10 finalists are returning for a second year)

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Commenting on the variety of the 2025 finalists, Toyota Star Maker Coordinator Cheryl Brown said: “Last year seemed to be a return of the cowboy, and Wade Forster stood apart with his authenticity of someone who lives the life of a rodeo cowboy and country music singer-songwriter.

“Often, there are one or two clear front runners, but I think all ten are definitely in the running, and we are always anxious as we anticipate the result.”

This year’s winner, Wade Forster, described how his life has changed since being crowned Star Maker in January.

“Performing on some of Australia's biggest stages and meeting with some of Australia's biggest names in the industry have been key in making sure this hobby is now a full-time job for me,” he explained.

“I can’t believe this. What a year I’ve had, and it all happened because I took a chance and entered Star Maker. The support from Toyota means so much to me. I can’t thank them enough for the wheels and fuel this year to get me around the country.

“When I look back over this year, I can honestly say I wouldn’t change a thing.”

Toyota is celebrating its 30th year in partnership with the Star Maker competition. Toyota Australia Chief Marketing Officer Vin Naidoo said: “We are proud to support all the talented musicians aiming to make a mark in the country music scene through the Toyota Star Maker Competition, and it is always a delight to see the great talent that emerges from it.

“We look forward to watching the top 10 finalists perform on stage in January and are thrilled to be able to contribute to the prize pack the winner will receive that will no doubt help propel their career within the country music industry.

“Congratulations to all the country music artists selected as finalists in the 2025 Star Maker competition; we look forward to your performances at the grand final concert.”

The winner of next year’s competition will take home a prize pool of over $100,000. Previous Star Maker winners include Lee Kernaghan, Keith Urban, Beccy Cole, Lyn Bowtell, Travis Collins, Kirsty Lee Akers, Kaylee Bell, and Brad Cox.