Walker the Idol

New Zealand-raised eighteen-year-old Stan Walker has been crowned Australian Idol winning a AU$200,000 artist’s development fund and a recording contract with Sony. Described as a soul singer, Walker, who is a shop assistant in Coolangatta, Queensland, was the favourite to win the grand final of the Network Ten singing contest and said he felt “blessed” to win. “I just want to thank God, man. Hey, I want to thank my family for coming and supporting me. My family they came from New Zealand,” he told the crowd on winning. Judge Jay Dee Springbett said to Walker after performing: “You’re Stan-bloody-tastic — you’re a star in the making.” Of all the Idol contestants, Walker reportedly took the most risks, delivering songs as diverse as ‘Purple Rain’, ‘It’s A Man’s World’ and even Beyonce’s ‘Single Ladies’. Walker attended Hamilton Boys’ High School before moving to Melbourne where he was born.