SYDNEY, Australia — Kesha Oayda, a 21-year-old singer from the snowy slopes of Jindabyne, New South Wales, was crowned the winner of Australian Idol 2026 on Tuesday night, becoming the first female champion in 19 years and igniting a fierce online debate over whether public voting delivered the rightful victor.
Kesha Oayda
More than one million votes flooded in during the grand finale, watched by an audience exceeding 1.9 million on Channel 7 and 7plus. Oayda edged out runner-up Harlan Goode, 18, from Brisbane, with Kalani Artis, 23, from the NSW Central Coast, finishing third. Hosts Ricki-Lee Coulter and Scott Tweedie made the dramatic announcement after a high-stakes showdown featuring powerhouse performances.
Oayda, who impressed judges with her smoky voice and fierce stage presence throughout the season that premiered Feb. 2, broke down in tears upon hearing her name. “I need 50 billion people to pinch me,” she said, still in disbelief. She thanked everyone from her family and friends to the show’s wardrobe, hair and makeup teams, the judges — including Kyle Sandilands, Marcia Hines and Amy Shark — and, most importantly, Australia for voting her through.
“This is unforgettable,” Oayda added, reflecting on her journey from a skiing background in the Snowy Mountains to national stardom. Her victory performance of Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars’ “Die With a Smile” — the same song she auditioned with — sealed the deal for many viewers.
The win comes with significant rewards: $100,000 in prize money, an exclusive recording package with Hive Sound Studios, a songwriting camp with Sony Music Publishing, marketing and social media support from The Annex, and VIP tickets to the ARIA Awards and TV WEEK Logie Awards. Oayda plans to hit the ground running with new music and has expressed excitement about representing women in the industry after nearly two decades without a female winner.
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Yet not all reactions were celebratory. Social media erupted with divided opinions, with some fans hailing the result as a long-overdue milestone for female talent while others claimed Goode was “robbed” due to his consistently strong vocals and versatility. Comments flooded Instagram and Facebook, with phrases like “Harlan had the stronger voice” and “the announcement about no female winner in 19 years influenced votes” trending among disappointed supporters.
One Instagram user wrote, “Harlan had the stronger voice throughout the competition but yes let’s make the public feel bad about not having a female winner.” Another added, “Both deserved the win,” acknowledging the close contest. Goode himself responded graciously, telling Oayda he was “so proud” of her and the entire top three for how far they had come.
The controversy echoes past Idol seasons where public votes sparked debates about talent versus “package” appeal, including performance charisma and storylines. Some viewers pointed to Oayda’s all-round appeal — her emotional delivery, stage presence and relatability — as key factors, while Goode’s fans highlighted his technical prowess and duets, such as one with Anthony Callea that drew standing ovations.
Channel 7’s broadcast of the finale delivered solid ratings, building on a season that revived the iconic format after rights shifted to the network. The competition featured intense heats, mentor sessions and guest performances that kept audiences engaged across Australia.
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Oayda’s background as a skier added a unique narrative. Hailing from Jindabyne, she balanced athletic pursuits with her passion for music, bringing a fresh, outdoorsy energy to the show. Her smoky tone and dynamic performances won over judges early, positioning her as a frontrunner despite the male contestants’ vocal firepower.
Goode, from Queensland, emerged as a crowd favorite with his polished renditions and emotional range. Artis rounded out the top three with consistent showings from the Central Coast. The state rivalry — New South Wales versus Queensland in the final two — added extra drama, dubbed an “Idol State of Origin” by some media.
Post-win interviews show Oayda focused on the future. In an exclusive with New Idea, she outlined plans to create music that resonates personally while capitalizing on the opportunities ahead. “The work starts now,” she said, emphasizing gratitude over pressure.
Industry observers note that Australian Idol winners and runners-up often build sustainable careers regardless of placement. Past contestants have secured recording deals, tours and television roles, proving the show’s value as a launchpad. Goode’s supporters remain optimistic, predicting his “wider scope of music” will lead to success beyond the competition.
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The divided fan response highlights broader tensions in reality singing shows: the balance between raw vocal talent, emotional storytelling and public relatability. Some argued the emphasis on a historic female win subtly swayed voters, while others celebrated it as empowerment in an industry still pushing for gender parity.
“Proof it’s girls who get it done,” one supporter posted, capturing the positive side of the narrative. Yet headlines in outlets like Daily Mail described viewer “outrage” and “heartbreak” for Goode fans, underscoring the passion Idol continues to inspire after more than two decades on Australian television.
Judges and hosts praised all three finalists for elevating the season. Sandilands, known for his blunt feedback, and Hines, a veteran mentor, helped shape contestants through challenging themes and live performances at venues like the Sydney Coliseum Theatre.
With the confetti settled and votes tallied, Oayda steps into the spotlight as Australian Idol 2026. Her immediate plans include studio time and songwriting, but the long-term impact will depend on how she — and the runners-up — navigate the music industry.
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For many, the debate itself proves the show’s enduring appeal. Whether viewers agree with the result or not, the 2026 season delivered memorable performances, emotional highs and the kind of water-cooler conversation that keeps reality television thriving.
Oayda’s tearful acceptance speech captured the moment best: a mix of shock, joy and humble thanks to a nation that voted her to the top. As she embarks on her professional journey, supporters on both sides of the divide will be watching closely to see if the “right” winner was chosen — or if talent like Goode’s will shine even brighter outside the Idol bubble.
The conversation continues online, with hashtags #AustralianIdol2026 and #KeshaOayda trending as fans relive the finale and speculate on upcoming releases. In an era of streaming and social media, the public vote remains a powerful, if sometimes polarizing, force in crowning the next star.
Gibson Energy Inc. (GEI:CA) Shareholder/Analyst Call May 5, 2026 12:00 PM EDT
Company Participants
James Estey Nathalie Wyman Tara Hingley Riley Hicks – Senior VP & CFO Colin Gair Jon Ozirny – VP of Legal & General Counsel Cody Johnson Darcy Smith Chris Garcia Curtis Philippon – CEO, President & Non-Independent Director
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Presentation
James Estey
Okay. We’re going to start early. Good morning, and welcome to the Annual Shareholder Meeting of Gibson Energy. My name is Jim Estey, and I am the Chairman of Gibson Board. And in accordance with the bylaws of the company, I will act as chair of the meeting. Given the importance of safety within Gibson, and our culture, we will start today this meeting with a safety moment from Nathalie Wyman. That will be followed by a land acknowledgment from Tara Hingley and an introduction of the directors and officers who have joined us today. Following completion of these preliminary matters, we will then move into the formal part of the meeting during which you, our shareholders or duly appointed proxyholders will vote on the 3 matters set forth in the management information circular.
Finally, our President and CEO, Curtis Philippon, will provide a company update, which will be followed by question-and-answer period, which you, shareholders and proxyholders are invited to ask questions of the directors and the executive management. At the conclusion of our program, the directors and officers and senior management will be available in the room to answer further questions you may have. I will now call on Nathalie to provide a safety moment.
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Nathalie Wyman
Thank you, Mr. Chair. As we begin today, I would like to take a moment to acknowledge that Canadian Mental Health Week began yesterday and continues until Sunday, May 10. This year, Mental Health Week recognizes the role we all play in supporting mental health through connection. At Gibson, Mission Zero is
Utz Quality Foods is recalling certain Zapp’s and Dirty brand potato chips that were sold at retail stores nationwide, the Food and Drug Administration said.
The voluntary recall follows a notification to the company that a seasoning containing dry milk powder may contain the presence of salmonella. It was sourced from California Dairies Inc. and supplied by a third party.
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The FDA said the affected seasoning batches tested negative for salmonella prior to use, but Utz is recalling the limited varieties of chips out of an abundance of caution. The company is recalling the products based on the ingredient supplier’s recall.
No other products produced by Utz Quality Foods are affected, and “We are working in coordination with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on this recall,” the company told FOX Business in a statement.
Utz has not received any complaints of illness in connection with the recalled products. Customers who have the affected products should not eat them and should discard them.
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Utz Quality Foods recalled products:
Zapp’s Brand Bayou Blackened Ranch Potato Chips, 1.5 oz.
Utz Quality Foods is recalling certain Zapp’s 1.5-oz. Bayou Blackened Ranch Potato Chips. (FDA)
Shares of ideaForge Technology Limited witnessed significant bulk deal activity on Tuesday, with multiple institutional investors picking up stakes in the company. Leading the transactions, BNP Paribas, through its affiliate BNP Paribas Financial Markets, bought over 5 lakh shares worth approximately Rs 39 crore at Rs 783.29 apiece.
In addition to BNP Paribas, several other investors were active on the buy side. QE Securities LLP acquired 3.4 lakh shares at Rs 779.23 per share, while NK Securities Research Private Limited picked up a similar quantity at Rs 777.94 per share, translating into deals worth around Rs 26 crore. HRTI Private Limited purchased 4.55 lakh shares at Rs 776.98 apiece, and Junomoneta Finsol Private Limited bought 3.49 lakh shares at Rs 780.2 per share.
The bulk deals were executed within a narrow price band of Rs 776 – Rs 783 per share, indicating strong demand for the stock at current levels. The concentrated buying activity highlights growing investor interest in the company, particularly amid increasing focus on defence and drone-related businesses.
Following the bulk deal activity, the stock saw strong traction in the market, reflecting positive sentiment around the counter.
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Ideaforge Technology shares ended at Rs 804.10, up by Rs 73.10 or 10% over the Monday closing price.
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Shares of ideaForge have given multibagger returns of 111% over a one-year period compared to negative 1% returns by Nifty and negative 4% by the BSE Sensex. The stock is currently trading above its 50-day and 200-day simple moving average (SMA) of Rs 457 and Rs 468, respectively, according to Trendlyne data.Also read: Adani Ports, Tata Motors and Siemens Energy witness block deal action on Monday
(Disclaimer: The recommendations, suggestions, views, and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times.)
NEW YORK — Alphabet Inc. Class C shares (NASDAQ: GOOG) climbed 1.21% to $384.23 in morning trading Tuesday, May 5, extending gains from a strong first-quarter earnings report that highlighted accelerating Google Cloud growth and the company’s deepening push into artificial intelligence.
Alphabet Stock Rises as Google Cloud AI Boom Fuels Optimism in 2026
The modest advance comes days after Alphabet’s April 29 earnings release, which showed consolidated revenue rising 22% to $109.9 billion and net income surging 81% to $62.6 billion. Adjusted earnings per share reached $5.11, far exceeding expectations and sending the stock to fresh all-time highs last week.
Google Cloud delivered standout performance, with revenue jumping 63% to $20 billion — the first time the segment crossed that threshold. The cloud backlog nearly doubled sequentially to more than $460 billion, driven by enterprise AI solutions and infrastructure demand. CEO Sundar Pichai highlighted that AI is now the primary growth driver across the business.
AI Momentum Powers Results
Alphabet’s full-stack AI approach — spanning models like Gemini, custom TPUs, and enterprise tools — is paying dividends. Google Search revenue grew 19% to $60.4 billion, with AI-enhanced experiences boosting user engagement. YouTube and subscriptions also contributed strongly, while Waymo’s autonomous driving progress and investments in Anthropic added to non-operating gains.
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The company raised its 2026 capital expenditure guidance significantly, signaling aggressive investment in AI infrastructure. Analysts project even higher spending in 2027 as demand for data centers and specialized chips continues to accelerate.
Wall Street Reaction Remains Bullish
Following the earnings beat, multiple firms raised price targets. Goldman Sachs, Needham, Scotiabank, Roth Capital and others lifted targets into the $400–$450 range, citing strong AI positioning and cloud acceleration. Consensus remains firmly in Buy territory, with many viewing Alphabet as attractively valued relative to its growth prospects despite trading near highs.
The stock has been one of the top performers among major technology names in recent months, benefiting from a combination of resilient advertising, cloud strength and AI leadership. Year-to-date gains reflect growing investor confidence that Google is not only keeping pace but gaining ground in the generative AI race.
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Challenges and Risks
Regulatory scrutiny remains a factor. Ongoing antitrust cases and potential advertising changes continue to loom, though investors appear to be pricing in Alphabet’s ability to navigate these hurdles. Competition from OpenAI, Anthropic, Microsoft and others is intense, yet Google’s massive user base and infrastructure scale provide significant advantages.
Broader market dynamics also influence the stock. Easing geopolitical tensions around the Strait of Hormuz and anticipation of further corporate earnings have supported technology shares broadly. However, any slowdown in AI spending or macroeconomic shifts could pressure valuations.
Long-Term Outlook
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Alphabet’s diversified portfolio — Search, YouTube, Cloud, Waymo and emerging bets — positions it well for continued growth. The company maintains a fortress balance sheet with substantial cash reserves, enabling both heavy investment and shareholder returns through dividends and buybacks. A recent 5% dividend increase underscores confidence in future cash flow.
Analysts project sustained double-digit revenue growth, with cloud and AI segments leading the way. Successful execution on Gemini advancements, autonomous driving milestones and enterprise adoption could drive further upside. Some forecasts see the stock reaching $450 or higher within 12 months if current momentum holds.
Investor Considerations
Tuesday’s modest gain reflects digestion after last week’s sharp post-earnings move. For long-term investors, Alphabet offers exposure to multiple secular tailwinds: digital advertising, cloud computing and artificial intelligence. Its scale, data advantage and engineering talent create wide competitive moats.
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Short-term traders may see volatility around upcoming events, including further regulatory developments and quarterly updates. Valuation remains elevated on traditional metrics, but many argue forward-looking AI growth justifies the premium. Dollar-cost averaging or waiting for pullbacks could appeal to those building positions.
As of mid-morning trading, the broader market showed mixed sentiment, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average also advancing modestly. Alphabet’s performance continues to stand out within the Magnificent Seven group, underscoring its resilience and strategic focus.
The coming months will test whether Alphabet can convert its substantial AI investments into sustained market leadership and profitable growth. For now, investors are rewarding the company’s execution and forward momentum in one of technology’s most critical battlegrounds.
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