Star-studded … Culcairn’s rock diva Iilysh Retallick has been granted immunity and sent straight through to the top 10 of Australian Idol. Photo: Supplied.
It’s taken weeks for Australian Idol judges and hosts to properly pronounce the name of her hometown.
That would be “Cul-cairn” for those of us who live locally.
But, quite apart from the fact the name has proved a tricky tongue twister, there’s never been any doubt about the talent of 17-year-old Iilysh Retallick.
On Sunday night (9 March), the Billabong High School student proved she’s a force to be reckoned with, securing immunity from the public vote and fast-tracking it to the top 10 of the Channel 7 reality television singing show.
Dedicating her performance for movie week to music teacher Sandra Taylor, who was in the audience when Iilysh transformed a School of Rock classic – Stevie Nicks’ Edge of Seventeen – the schoolgirl proved she had more than enough edginess to wow the judges, if not the voting public.
She did not disappoint, delivering a “masterclass in rockin’ it out” and earning an A-plus from her teacher.
Judge Marcia Hines lauded the “power and the confidence in your performances” and, while getting her age wrong, her comments highlighted that “16-year-olds should be frightened of nothing”.
Or even 17-year-olds … who arrived at the first audition looking slightly nervous, with glasses and a politely shy demeanour.
While fellow judge Kyle Sandilands was quick to pull Marcia up on the age inaccuracy, Amy Shark pointed out, “I think you just … played to a crowd bigger than the population of Culcairn”.
Amy said Iilysh oozed “coolness” and “I’m so into it … I love what you do each week, I’m a big fan of you!”
In the end, Kyle described his niece Willow and “all her little girlfriends'” adored favourite performer as a “true star”.
“I will be very surprised if you don’t get all the way through – I think we are going to see you at the final,” he said.
“I can’t believe a couple of weeks ago I was sitting at school and now I’m here as an Idol,” says Culcairn’s Iilysh Retallick. Photo: Supplied.
With a rock chic “vibe” now and the wind in her hair, Iilysh reflected that it was her dad who sat her down on the couch at one stage and told her to learn a song.
“The town loved it, so I just kept going,” she said.
“I can’t believe a couple of weeks ago I was sitting at school and now I’m here as an Idol,” she said.
The quietly spoken schoolgirl opened the 10th season of Idol on 2 February when she auditioned with her rather unexpected performance of Alanis Morissette’s You Oughta Know.
Initially it was her own name – “Mum found it in a newspaper” – and then the name of her hometown that had the judges in a bit of a fix.
So where are you from? Amy asked.
“I’m from Culcairn,” Iilysh replied.
“From where?” Kyle asked.
“Cul-cairn,” replied the Year 11 student.
“Cold can … as in putting it in the Esky?” Kyle asked.
“Yeah, basically … there’s only 1000 people there.”
And so it was the Culcairn schoolgirl come “check-out chick” turned rock chick has made her mark on the series that has delivered winners such as Australian music industry icons Guy Sebastian and Casey Donovan.
On Monday night (10 March), the Henty Machinery Field Days proudly laid claim to one of their own, sharing a 2024 post featuring an all-in-black clad Iilysh wowing the crowds in the Country Lifestyle Pavilion with her incredible voice.
The post read: “Superstar Alert!”
“Our very own local talent, Iilysh from Culcairn, is absolutely smashing her Australian Idol journey – securing immunity and soaring straight into the Top 10 finalists,” the Facebook post read.
“What an incredible achievement! We’re throwing back to Henty Machinery Field Days 2024 … HMFD is proud to support and showcase such incredible talent each year. Let’s all get behind Iilysh as she continues to shine on the Idol stage.
“Go Iilysh!”
Go indeed!
The Australian Idol Top 10 finals will continue on Channel 7 and 7Plus from Sunday 16 March
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