Dylan Wright wins Australian Idol 2024

The young father, 31, who made his living performing, and painting houses, lives in the northern rivers of NSW, but grew up in the shire, and he had huge support from his fans right back where it all started.

"It was a complete surprise. I was in utter shock," Dylan told this masthead on the morning after the grand final announcement. "All I remember was hearing my name and seeing confetti and my family's faces melt, in tears and screaming.

"There is no way I thought I'd be here. I've watched Idol forever. I was in Year 3 playing handball with my friends arguing if Guy (Sebastian) or Shannon (Noll) was going to win."

I wanted to win because for so long I've been playing at places where people don't listen," Dylan said on the show. "I've pushed myself to get here...I dreamt of this moment but didn't think I'd get here."

This masthead has featured Dylan's journey from the early days of his music career - busking on the streets of the shire, playing at Sutherland Shire Council music festivals, the Gymea Village Fair and at Brass Monkey Cronulla. That stage just got a whole lot bigger.

Dylan thanked the shire community for rallying behind him right until the end. "I can't believe the support I've received, and that I've always received - from busking at Gymea to playing at venues in Cronulla," Dylan said.

"From my whole teenage years and early 20s, the support has been non-stop since then. To see posters being put up everywhere in the shire, it's been incredible. Then to see the them rally behind this moment, it's surreal."

The official shire 'watch' party was hosted by Sharks Kareela, honouring Dylan's favourite footy team, Cronulla Sharks. Dylan said he wore a lucky charm on the grand final - and it clearly sealed his fate. "Wade Graham gave me his premiership ring to wear both nights so that was pretty special," Dylan said.

But Dylan's biggest fan by far, is his wife Georgia. The pair met on the first day of high school. "She was there from my first little singing concert when I was 13," he said. "To have her by my side on stage with our girls was such a surreal experience. I'm so happy I got to do it with them by my side."

Sheridan Prestidge (Howard), who taught Dylan music at Port Hacking High School, said as soon as Dylan started high school it was evident to everyone in the music department that they had a musical star in the making.

"In Year 7 he was able to sing and play the guitar with astounding ability," she said. "His amazing voice and versatility as a musician prompted me to feature him as a soloist in several choir performances, in particular Angels by Robbie Williams. The audience was blown away. There is no style that Dylan couldn't master, from rock to jazz. He also busked on the weekends for pocket money."

Teacher Casey Hadfield recalls Dylan as the "larrikin" of her class. "He was always an entertainer and you could tell he loved to perform," she said. "It's been amazing to watch him grow as an artist...getting the crowd going at the Cronulla Spring Fair...He has worked so hard for this. He's the nicest superstar out there."

Principal Rick Turansky said there was a "strong vibe" of support resonating throughout the school. "Port Hacking High School community is so proud of Dylan's achievement. Living in the local area, I can recall Dylan busking in the streets of Gymea, with an audience stopping to watch his performances from a young age,' Mr Turansky said.

Dylan's final Idol performances were his original audition piece, Better Be Home Soon by Crowded House and Tiny Dancer by Elton John. "It's so remarkable watching you play," judge Amy Shark said. "Good things happen to good people." "The whole country is in love with you. You're fantastic," fellow judge Kyle Sandilands said. "You deserve it." "People will pay attention," judge Marcia Hines said. "You've been so consistent through it all, and so nice through it all."

Dylan said his late mother, who battled multiple sclerosis and leukaemia when he was younger, "would be smiling ear to ear". "Mum would be proud," he said.

Now it's all about building momentum, he said. "There is a stigma that winners don't do anything, so my goal is to break that stigma and really ride this whole thing," he said. "I'm keen to ride this wave and take it to that next level, write, record, tour and do it all."

As part of his prize, Dylan nabbed a recording contract with Sony Music Entertainment Australia and $100,000. His new single Paper Heart is out now.

"I have always loved Sony Music artists so to be part of the Sony family is incredible," he said. "When I first heard the track I was so happy with how it sounded for a winners single but I also wanted to add my touch to it, so I rewrote the verses to bookend my Idol experience and reiterate why I was there I the first place - for my family."

Australian Idol runner up was Amy Reeves and in third place, Denvah Baker-Moller.