The crowd erupted in screams, cheers and overwhelming feelings of joy, pride and relief when 19-year-old superstar Marshall Hamburger was announced the 2025 Australian Idol on Monday night.
Supporters had gathered at New York Minute at Noosa Junction to cheer on Marshall, affectionately known as Burger Boy, at an event organised by the Channel 7 reality show and involving live crosses to the show throughout the grand final episode.
Marshall was crowned after a grand finale show filled with powerhouse performances from the final three contestants Iilysh Retallick, Gisella Colletti and Marshall, the annihilation of Gisella before a nail-biting finish following further performances from the remaining two.
In the end, it was Marshall who received the most votes and became the season 10 champion. He received $100,000 in prize money, an exclusive recording package with Hive Sound Studios, and the esteemed title of Australian Idol 2025.
“Thank you, Australia, thank you so much. You’re gonna hear a lot of me in the future, I’ll be out there,” he said following the announcement.
Throughout the show viewers heard from Marshall, his parents Gavin and Kellie Hamburger who run a music school at Doonan, and the judges Marcia Hines, Kyle Sandilands and Amy Shark.
An excited Marshall began the show promising the audience a great show and he didn’t disappoint.
Marshall said he’d always dreamt of his Australian Idol moment but being there was an entirely different can of worms.
“I didn’t think I’d get through auditions,” he said. He spoke of being able to show people for the first time what he could be “as a performer”.
“If I had to describe my Idol experience I would say, radical, radi-cool.”
Marshall attributed his love for music to his parents.
“Growing up with such talented musicians in my household it was so helpful for when it came to wanting to pursue music, because I had access to people who were very skilled at their craft and they were my parents and they also wanted to help,” he said.
His parents said he grew up always tinkering with instruments.
“He is the kindest, sweetest person on the planet,” his mum Kellie said of her son.
Of his performances his dad Gavin said “he’s the sort of person you could go and see a lot and every time you see him something else would happen”.
Marshall nailed his first performance in the show with a Ray Charles tune, ‘Shake it, Shake it, Baby’ and ending with ‘Every little thing she does is Magic’, from The Police.
The judges were full of praise for the young entertainer.
“We’ve all had the best time watching you. You don’t know what to expect. You’re a genius,” Amy Shark said.
“From the moment you came into the room you sat at that piano and you did morph into an absolute superstar. You’ve just grown so much and you’ve learnt so much and now you’re such an absolute weapon ready to take on the world.”
Marcia Hines told Marshall he brought joy. “You’re just a very clever performer. When we go out and watch music we just want to be entertained. That’s just what you do boyfriend,” she said.
“This is not possible that such a young, fresh boy is such a genius, seasoned muso,” Kyle Sandilands told him.
“We know you’re fabulous. You’ve learnt so much. We’ve seen that growth. A lot of people get here and that can break someone. You can be very talented and get here and not be able to deal with the noise and all the extras. We’ve got vocal coaches, great bands and everyone here, the crew, the set directors, even the warm up guy says how great you are as a human being. Don’t lose that. That will make you a superstar.”
