Ricki-Lee Coulter on how Australian Idol has changed over the years (2025)

Australian Idol co-host Ricki-Lee Coulter has revealed the surprising way the show has changed in the two decades since she was a contestant.

The TV presenter, who finished in seventh place on the series in 2004, admitted there had been a major change in contestant demographics over the years.

'For me, what's so shocking is these young kids are just so talented, they have their s**t together,' Ricki told Yahoo Lifestyle.

'Like, at 16 and 17, they know exactly who they are, exactly what they want to say and exactly what kind of artist they want to be.'

She added the young hopefuls had a sense of style and confidence that she herself did not when she competed on the show at 18 years old in 2004.

'I was dressing like a 48-year-old woman when I was competing on the show. Dressing like my mum!' Ricki said.

'I feel so old watching these - I call them kids, they’re so not kids but so they're kids to me. They’re just so put together and so perfect... it freaks me out a little bit.

'I guess that's social media and fashion... everything changes. We can't expect everything to stay the same, but it freaks me out every time I see them.'

She also shared her advice for those hoping to make it in the cutthroat music industry: 'Work hard and never stop.

'No matter what happens, I just always encourage these guys to put their head down. Everything is always about the music. Focus and work your a** off.'

Australian Idol originally ran on Channel Ten from 2003 - 2009 and was later rebooted on Channel Seven in 2023.

In 2023, Ricki-Lee was announced as the co-presenter of the reboot, alongside Scott Tweedie.

Ricki-Lee also hosted the 2022 season of Australia's Got Talent on Seven, and was there to comfort the contestants backstage.

The Gold Coast native has had four No. 1 hits on the ARIA Dance Chart, ten Top 10 singles on ARIA Singles Chart and two Top 10 entries on the ARIA Albums Chart.

Across her career, she has accumulated more than 75 million streams.

It comes after Ricki-Lee shared the secrets behind her successful marriage with husband Richard Harrison.

She told Daily Mail Australia she and Richard, who she married in 2015, have a very simple formula which keeps their relationship rock solid.

'Honesty and communication,' the Australian Idol star said when asked for the key to that success.

The pair are set to celebrate their tenth wedding anniversary this year.

But it will be a low key day for the down to earth couple, who have ruled out renewing their vows.

Ricki-Lee is managed by her husband, and says the arrangement suits them both.

'The reason Rich and I work so well is he loves me first, but when it comes to business and music, there is no one more brutal and ruthless than him,' she said.

The Can't Touch It hit-maker added the entertainment industry is tough, and while it has its ups and downs, she is continuously looking at ways to improve her singing and performances.

Kyle SandilandsChannel TenReality

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