Bangalow singer Dylan Wright has taken out the Australian Idol crown for 2024.
The 31-year-old was emotional to hear his name called out.
"Oh thank you," he said.
"I'm about to cry!
"Thank you!"
Dylan grew up in the Sutherland Shire, and had massive support from that community as well as the Northern Rivers.
Dylan shared his shock at winning with sister ACM publication, The Leader.
"It was a complete surprise. I was in utter shock," Dylan said after the grand final announcement. "All I remember was hearing my name and seeing confetti and my family's faces melt, in tears and screaming.
"There is no way I thought I'd be here. I've watched Idol forever. I was in Year 3 playing handball with my friends arguing if Guy (Sebastian) or Shannon (Noll) was going to win.
"I wanted to win because for so long I've been playing at places where people don't listen," Dylan said on the show. "I've pushed myself to get here...I dreamt of this moment but didn't think I'd get here."
The Grand Finale was held over two nights, and came down to the final three, 23-year-old Denvah Baker-Moller from Rockhampton, 25-year-old Amy Reeves from Broome, and 31-year-old Dylan Wright from the Northern Rivers.
Dylan has wowed judges since his first audition in January, singing Crowded House's You Better be Home Soon.
Marcia Hines said the song was one of the most heartfelt performances she had seen because Wright was singing it to someone he loved. "I don't usually cry in the presence of other men," Kyle Sandilands added, and Amy Shark described Wright as a "superstar".
Stepping on to the stage for the grand final on Sunday night, Dylan sang INXS song Never Tear Us Apart, and teamed up with Season 1 runner-up Shannon Noll to sing Moving Pictures' What About Me.
Monday night saw him sing a moving version of the Elton John classic Tiny Dancer.
"It is so your turn, Dylan," an impressed Amy Shark said. "I'm so happy for you."
"The whole country's in love with you," Kyle said. "You are fantastic."
Dylan and Amy made it through to the top two, and performed the songs they had originally auditioned with in a full circle moment for both of them.
For Amy, that song was the Aretha Franklin classic (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman, while for Dylan it was the Crowded House anthem.
After a spectacular season, Australia voted - and the winner was Dylan Wright.
Dylan has lived on the Northern Rivers for two years, working as a house painter by day and performing at night.
A member of several bands, he could be found at local pubs, weddings and events.
Dylan's biggest fan by far, is his wife Georgia. The pair met on the first day of high school. "She was there from my first little singing concert when I was 13," he said. "To have her by my side on stage with our girls was such a surreal experience. I'm so happy I got to do it with them by my side."
Sheridan Prestidge (Howard), who taught Dylan music at Port Hacking High School, said as soon as Dylan started high school it was evident to everyone in the music department that they had a musical star in the making.
"In Year 7 he was able to sing and play the guitar with astounding ability," she said. "His amazing voice and versatility as a musician prompted me to feature him as a soloist in several choir performances, in particular Angels by Robbie Williams. The audience was blown away. There is no style that Dylan couldn't master, from rock to jazz. He also busked on the weekends for pocket money."
Teacher Casey Hadfield recalls Dylan as the "larrikin" of her class. "He was always an entertainer and you could tell he loved to perform," she said. "It's been amazing to watch him grow as an artist...getting the crowd going at the Cronulla Spring Fair...He has worked so hard for this. He's the nicest superstar out there."
Principal Rick Turansky said there was a "strong vibe" of support resonating throughout the school. "Port Hacking High School community is so proud of Dylan's achievement. Living in the local area, I can recall Dylan busking in the streets of Gymea, with an audience stopping to watch his performances from a young age,' Mr Turansky said.
Dylan said his late mother, who battled multiple sclerosis and leukaemia when he was younger, "would be smiling ear to ear". "Mum would be proud," he said.
Now it's all about building momentum, he said. "There is a stigma that winners don't do anything, so my goal is to break that stigma and really ride this whole thing," he said. "I'm keen to ride this wave and take it to that next level, write, record, tour and do it all."
Dylan nabbed a recording contract with Sony Music Entertainment Australia and $100,000. His new single Paper Heart is out now.
The Idol win delivered Dylan a recording contract with industry giant Sony Music Entertainment Australia and $100,000 in prize money.
You might not catch him a the local quite so often any more.
