“Probably the best judge.”

Viewers have watched as Australian Idol 2025 judges Marcia Hines, Kyle Sandilands, and Amy Shark have supported the contestants during the auditions and live shows, but do they play a bigger part behind the scenes?

Apparently so! Australian Idol finalist Gisella Colletti told Chattr in an exclusive interview that she felt really supported by one judge in particular.

“I spoke with Marcia a couple times, and she’s probably the best judge in the sense that she really gives amazing advice and is really down to earth and lovely”, she said, adding that all the judges are “the best people in the world”.
Marcia Hines on Australian Idol. Image: Seven.
Gisella told Chattr that she took a lot from the feedback the judges gave her during her performances and believed that it helped her grow stronger as a singer on her Australian Idol journey, adding that Marcia’s tips helped her the most.

“I’ve really taken into account her advice and Kyle as well,” she said. “Marcia told me to take deep breaths and things like that before I go on stage to perform. And that really, really helped with my nerves.”
Gisella performing with Tina Arena. Image: Seven.

Do the hosts help the Australian Idol contestants?

Scott Tweedie and Ricki-Lee Coulter are the hosts of Australian Idol 2025, and the latter was an Idol contestant back in 2004.

During a pre-season interview with Chattr, Ricki-Lee said that she tried to comfort the contestants throughout their time on the show, because she knew firsthand how nerve racking it can be.

“I know what it’s like to go through the process; everyone is always hyper-aware of everything that’s going on around them, and they read into everything.

“So if you talk more to one person, they think about that. So, I’m always conscious of making sure that everyone gets time. I have personal time with everyone. I have a chat with every single person when we first get to set.

“I go and look at everyone in the eyes, and I say, ‘Good luck’. You’re amazing. I say the same thing to everyone. So no one feels like, ‘Oh, my God. She talked to me, I’m going home.’”
Ricki-Lee on Australian Idol. Image: Seven.
Gisella told Chattr that Ricki-Lee went out of her way to offer advice, and it was something she really appreciated.

“Scott and Ricki are with us during rehearsals, so we get to talk with Ricki and Scott and they’re they’re really nice. I asked Ricky a couple of times for advice because she’s obviously been on before,” she said.

Gisella has made it to the Top 3 alongside Marshall Hamburger and Iilysh Retallick, with the Australian Idol winner being crowned during the finale on April 7.