The search for Australia’s next superstar might be right here in the Snowy Mountains with a Jindabyne talent ready to make her mark on, Australian Idol.

The show that makes stars returns to Seven and 7plus on Monday, 2 February for a fourth season.

Australian Idol judging trio is back: Idol OG and pop legend Marcia Hines, TV Week Logie Award winner and acclaimed recording and touring artist Amy Shark, and radio king Kyle Sandilands, all on the hunt for Australia’s next Idol.

This season, the bar is set higher than ever: more than just a voice, the judges want visuals and vibe. It’s all about the full package of talent, presence, and undeniable star quality.

This year, born and raised Jindabyne star 20-year-old, Kesha Oayda, prepares to hit the stage of Australian Idol to showcase her talents as a musician and singer and deliver the full package that judges are looking for.

Many locals have witnessed Kesha on stage at many events around the region from busking outside of Woolworths when she was only eight-years-old to playing gigs at both Jindabyne and Pambula and travelling far and wide for gigs and comps.

During the 2025 Winter season Kesha had the opportunity to play at Perisher peak festival to open the season then began gigging at other venues throughout the entire season to now auditioning amongst many talented Australians, Kesha said she now feels ready to show off her talents nationwide.

Kesha said from the moment she picked up a guitar and sung she knew it’s what she wanted to do with her life and after being sent a link through Facebook of Australian Idol looking for contestants in Jindabyne she thought why not apply and give it a shot.

“I have been playing and singing since I can remember, and my dad is a musician, so I have grown up with a music household, I did my first competition when I was 8 years old and that was in Jindy Idol," Kesha said.

“The biggest impact was when I first competed in Jindy Idol, from the moment I was on that stage in front of my community supporting my every move, I knew that I wanted to share my love and passion for music for as long as I can."

With the support of her whole family and community backing her, Kesha looks forward to riding the wave of idol and enjoying the process along the way.

“I am so lucky to have grown up in a community that has surrounded me with undying love and support throughout my music career,” Kesha said.

“If I had to think of my biggest fans, I would have to say my dad Nolen, my mum Daisy, my sister Tulli, my family friend Tracy, and my god mum Carol, but I really can’t express how lucky I am to be constantly surrounded by support and love in anything music that I do.

“I can’t appreciate my friends, family and community enough.”

As she begins her Idol journey Kesha said she is also looking forward to being able to meet other amazing musicians and learn as much as she can about the music industry.

“I feel incredibly lucky to have been presented with this opportunity and am so excited for it, I am of course so excited to be able to do what I love and share it with Australia,” Kesha said.

“Thank you so much to everyone who has been showering me with support thus far and I can’t wait to go on this journey.”

Tune into Australian Idol on channel Seven and 7plus to watch Kesha light up the stage and perform her heart out.