Australian Idol judges Ricki-Lee Coulter, Amy Shark, and Marcia Hines gathered for a lunch in Sydney on Wednesday. They were joined by country music star Morgan Evans, who is set to replace Kyle Sandilands on the reality competition series.
The judges met at the Italian restaurant Otto in Woolloomooloo. Coulter, Shark, and Hines appeared to be in good spirits as they arrived. Evans, a new addition to the judging panel, was also seen smiling.
Sandilands announced his departure from Australian Idol in July, citing pressure from activist groups targeting the show's advertisers. He stated that his decision was made to prevent further damage to the program's brand.
"I spoke with Channel Seven this morning, and those activists have attacked the potential clients for Australian Idol or the clients from last year, and this has caused a problem in Channel Seven's sales team," Sandilands told The Sydney Morning Herald at the time. "So I've told Channel Seven this morning, just prior to speaking to you, that I'm standing down from Idol for the good of the brand to continue."
Sandilands had been a judge on Australian Idol since its third season in 2005, replacing Ian "Dicko" Dickson. He served for four seasons before the show went on hiatus in 2009. He returned for the rebooted series on Channel Seven in 2023, alongside judges Harry Connick Jr., Meghan Trainor, and Amy Shark.
Coulter hosted the 2023 season and is returning for the upcoming season. Shark has been a judge since the reboot. Hines, an original judge from the early seasons, also returned for the reboot. Evans's addition follows Sandilands' exit.