Kesha Oayda is an Australian singer and songwriter who won the eleventh season of Australian Idol in 2026. She officially won the title in April 2026, taking home the $100,000 prize and recording studio package with Hive Sound Studios. Additionally Oayda will receive marketing and social media support from The Annex, and VIP tickets to events including the 2025 ARIA Music Awards and the Logie Awards of 2026.
Early life Oayda grew up in Jindabyne, Australia. After winning Idol in 2026 she said to a Snowy Mountains tourism site, "It was pretty special having skiing as a school sport from such a young age and spending whole days and weekends on the snow – that's something I never took for granted. It's such a rare opportunity, especially in Australia."
Career 2026: Australian Idol In 2026, Oayda auditioned for the eleventh season of Seven Network's singing competition Australian Idol with the song "Die with a Smile". Oayda was officially revealed to be the winner on 14 April 2026.
+Australian Idol performances and resultsRoundSongOriginal artistResultAuditions"Die with a Smile"Lady Gaga and Bruno MarsThrough to top 30Top 30 Part 1"Somebody Like You"Keith UrbanAdvanced Part 2"I Don't Care"Ed Sheeran and Justin BieberAdvanced Part 3"If I Can't Have You"Shawn MendesThrough to top 21Top 21"Take Me to Church"HozierThrough to top 12 Top 12 (Movie Week) Performance 1"Like a Prayer"Madonna Bottom 4 Bottom 4"Lay Me Down"Sam Smith Saved. Through to top 10Top 10 (Aussie Week)"Hopelessly Devoted to You"Olivia Newton-JohnThrough to top 8Top 8 (Super Twist Week) Performance 1"Physical"Dua Lipa Bottom 4 Bottom 4"Girls Just Wanna Have Fun"Cyndi LauperSaved. Through to top 6Top 6 (Heroes and Tributes Week) Performance 1"The Climb"Miley CyrusThrough to Grand Finale (top 3) Performance 2 "Dancing Queen"ABBAGrand Finale (top 3) Solo"When We Were Young"AdeleThrough to top 2 Celebrity Duet"Shine" (with Vanessa Amorosi) Vanessa AmorosiGrand Finale (top 2) Free choice"Man I Need"Olivia Dean WinnerAudition song"Die with a Smile" Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars
Oayda's The Idol Collection album was released on 17 April 2026, featuring ten songs she performed on the show and the top 12 performance of "All Night Long". The album debuted at number 31 on the ARIA Album chart.
Discography Studio albums Title Details Peak chart positions AUS The Idol Collection Released: 17 April 2024 Label: 19 Recordings 31
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