Australian Idol 2024 has officially started filming, albeit with a massive change to its star-studded judging panel.
The reboot of the hit noughties singing show in 2023 saw Kyle Sandilands, Meghan Trainor, Amy Shark and Harry Connick Jr band together to find Australia’s newest superstar.
As previously reported, OG Australian Idol judge Marcia Hines has signed on for the 2024 instalment, and Yahoo! Lifestyle dished in October that both Meghan and Harry have opted not to return.
As such, the judging panel is down an A-list judge for, at the very least, the initial audition process.
While fans have assumed this is due to budget cuts, the publication claims this isn’t entirely true.
“There are too many singing shows where the judges distract from the contestants, and this year they want the talent to be the main focus,” an insider told Yahoo! Lifestyle.
“Last year Kyle and Harry’s feud often overshadowed the performances.”
ICYMI: Kyle told KIIS FM’s Will and Woody at the time that things between the judges were “prickly” and that they didn’t “gel”.
News of the fractured judging lineup comes after TV Blackbox suggested US star and Queen frontman Adam Lambert might join the series once the live shows begin.
Seven is expected to officially confirm the full judging panel at their Upfronts event in late October.
Want even more goss? Listen to the So Dramatic! podcast with Megan Pustetto below!
Know something that we don’t? Spill the tea here!
Get the tea first! Follow So Dramatic! on Instagram and tune in on Mondays to get your reality tea fix with the So Dramatic! podcast with Megan Pustetto.
