Royston Sagigi-Baira
Royston Sagigi-Baira | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth year and age Mapoon, Queensland, Australia |
| Other names | Royston Noell |
| Occupation(s) | Vocalist, singer |
| Years active | 2018–present |
| Known for | Winner of Australian Idol season 8 (2023) |
| Notable work | "Invincible", "When I Fall Apart", "Dreaming" |
Royston Sagigi-Baira, who also performs under the name Royston Noell, is an Australian vocalist recognized for winning the eighth season of Australian Idol in 2023. He claimed the championship in March 2023, receiving a $100,000 prize along with a recording deal from Sony Music Australia.
Early life
Sagigi-Baira hails from Mapoon, Queensland and is of Thanakwith (Aboriginal) and Wagadagam (Torres Strait Islander) descent. Unlike many of his contemporaries who gravitated toward rugby or fishing, his true enthusiasm was singing. A defining moment occurred in second grade when a teacher gifted him a High School Musical DVD, igniting his passion for music.
His musical journey included participation in church and school choirs, enrollment at Brisbane's Aboriginal Centre for the Performing Arts (ACPA), and as of 2023, he is undertaking a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music) at the Queensland University of Technology.
2018–2022: All Together Now
In 2018, Sagigi-Baira competed on Australia's edition of All Together Now, where he made history by achieving the first perfect score of 100 points for his performance of Sam Smith's "Lay Me Down". He was ultimately the last contestant eliminated, following Lai Utovou and Tarryn Stokes.
During NAIDOC Week in July 2022, he featured on national radio alongside Aboriginal Christian leader Brooke Prentis to discuss the theme "Get Up! Stand up! Show up!".
In November 2022, Sagigi-Baira debuted his single "When I Fall Apart" under the stage name Royston Noell.
2023: Australian Idol
In 2023, Sagigi-Baira auditioned for the Seven Network’s revival of Australian Idol, performing Sam Smith’s "I'm Not the Only One" and securing a golden ticket to advance into the top 50. He continued progressing through each stage—from top 50 to top 24, then into the top 12 live shows—steadily advancing through top ten, top eight, top six rounds, ultimately reaching the grand finale as one of three finalists.
Upon being named a grand finalist, Noell remarked, "I can't believe this. This is crazy. This is a testament that no matter where you come from, as long as you work hard, you can follow your dreams, and they can come true."
| Australian Idol performances and outcomes (2023) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Episode | Song | Original Artist | Result |
| Auditions | "I'm Not the Only One" | Sam Smith | Advanced to Top 50 |
| Top 50 Part 1-Round 1 | "Wrecking Ball" | Miley Cyrus | Advanced to Round 2 |
| Top 50 Part 1-Round 2 | "I'll Be There" | Jess Glynne | Advanced to Part 2 |
| Top 50 Part 2 | "Everything I Wanted" | Billie Eilish | Advanced to Top 24 |
| Top 24 | "Versace on the Floor" | Bruno Mars | Advanced to Top 12 |
| Top 12 | "Man In The Mirror" | Michael Jackson | Advanced to Top 10 |
| Top 10 | "I Won't Let You Go" | James Morrison | Advanced to Top 8 |
| Top 8 | "The Climb" | Miley Cyrus | Advanced to Top 6 |
| Top 6 | "True Colors" | Cyndi Lauper | Performed Head to Head |
| Top 6-Head to Head | "I Want to Know What Love Is" | Foreigner | Advanced to Grand Finale |
| Grand Finale-Top 3 | "I Can't Make You Love Me" | Bonnie Raitt | Advanced to Top 2 |
| Grand Finale-Top 2 | "When You Believe" | Whitney Houston | Winner |
| "Invincible" | (winner's single) | ||
Following his rendition of Whitney Houston's "When You Believe," Sagigi-Baira was crowned the winner of Australian Idol. His winning single "Invincible," penned by Tones and I, was released immediately afterward and was noted on Radio 6PR for its resemblance to Rihanna’s "Diamonds."
In November 2023, he released another single titled "Dreaming." Subsequently, in November 2024, Noell unveiled "Feeling Good" and announced his debut EP called Sunrise, marking key milestones in his career after Australian Idol victory.
Personal life
Sagigi-Baira lives in Cape York, located in the northernmost part of Queensland.
Extended plays
| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| Sunrise |
|
Singles
| Title | Year | Album |
|---|---|---|
| "When I Fall Apart" | 2022 | rowspan="2" Template:Non-album singles |
| "Invincible" | 2023 | |
| "Dreaming" | Sunrise | |
| "Say It Loud" | 2024 | |
| "Feeling Good" | ||
| "Way Up" | 2025 |
National Indigenous Music Awards
Since 2004, the National Indigenous Music Awards have recognized outstanding achievements and leadership among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists throughout Australia.
! |- ! scope="row" rowspan="1"| 2023 | Himself | New Talent of the Year | | [1][2] |}