Chris Luder
| Broadcast from | 26 July – 21 November 2005 |
|---|---|
| Judges |
Kyle Sandilands Marcia Hines Mark Holden |
| Host(s) |
Andrew G James Mathison |
| Broadcaster | Network Ten |
| Finals venue | Sydney Opera House |
| Kate DeAraugo | |
| Origin | Bendigo, Victoria, Australia |
| Song | "Maybe Tonight" |
| Emily Williams | |
| Australian Idol (season 3) | |
|
Finalists (with dates of elimination) |
|
| Kate DeAraugo | Winner |
 Emily Williams
|
21 November |
| Lee Harding | 14 November |
| Dan England | 7 November |
| Daniel Spillane | 31 October |
| Anne Robertson | 24 October |
| James Kannis | 17 October |
| Milly Edwards | 10 October |
 Roxane LeBrasse
|
3 October |
| Laura Gissara | 26 September |
| Natalie Zahra | 19 September |
| Chris Luder | 12 September |
| Tarni Stephens | 12 September |
| Anne Robertson | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Anne Robertson |
| Born | 7 March 1983 |
| Origin | Sydney, Australia |
| Genres | Pop, R&B, Soul |
| Occupation(s) | Singer |
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years active | 2005–present |
The third season of Australian Idol debuted on 26 July 2005. The first of three semi-finals was held on 16 August 2005 with three of the Final 12 contenders announced the following night on 17 August 2005. 2Day FM radio host Kyle Sandilands replaced former judge Ian Dickson.
For the first time in Australian Idol history, thirteen contestants instead of twelve, made it to the weekly finals rounds. As in past years, the Wildcard show would give a further three contestants a spot in the Final Twelve - two chosen by the judges and one by the Australian public. Following the "second-chance" wildcard performance show the previous night, on 5 September 2005, the judges choices were James Kannis and Emily Williams. The public choice was then revealed to be Daniel Spillane. However, it was also revealed a very marginal difference of less than 1% between the next highest voted contestant, Roxane LeBrasse, and the judges deciding that Roxane was too good to be left out of the Top 12, made it a Top 13. Unfortunately this would mean, the elimination of two people with the lowest votes, the following week.
The Grand Finale was held on 21 November 2005, with the winner being revealed as Kate DeAraugo. Kate had been outside chance to win through the duration of the season, but after the show ended, released a #1 single, "Maybe Tonight", a platinum selling album and a further Top 10 hit single through Sony BMG.
Runner up Emily Williams lost by 1% in the closest percentage ever in an Idol finale. She was originally signed to Sony BMG as a solo artist, but the agreement fell through and she ended up joining the girl band the Young Divas.
Lee Harding finished in third position and was signed to Sony BMG and released a # 1 single and a platinum selling album. His second single from his debut album proved to be less successful and in mid-2006 Harding was released from his contract with the label. He is currently touring and performing with his band Bedrock.
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