Spotify Data Proves Shannon Noll Wasn't Robbed By Guy Sebastian On 'Australian Idol' After All

As this year marks the 20th anniversary of the first season of Australian Idol, Spotify Australia has crunched the numbers and revealed that Guy Sebastian was indeed the rightful winner of his season.

Looking at the statistics, Sebastian is the top Idol in multiple categories, including Top Artist Streams Locally – Shannon Noll is fifth; Most Streamed Tracks Locally (for Choir), and Top Artists By Playlist. However, Sebastian has significant competition in the form of Matt Corby, who dominates when it comes to the global playing field.

Matt Corby is the most streamed Australian Idol contestant in the Top Artist Streams Globally category and Most Streamed Tracks Globally (for Resolution). You can check out all the statistics from data gathered between October 2008 to September 2023 below.

Sebastian is the most-streamed artist from Australian Idol in Australia, with 274 million plays, while Matt Corby is more popular globally, racking up 576 million streams (Sebastian isn’t far behind at 530 million, and Jessica Mauboy is at 260 million streams).

“It still blows my mind that people at home watching Australian Idol were invested in me as an artist and paid to vote for me on the show,” Sebastian commented in a press release. “I am so grateful that they have remained with me on my journey from CDs to digital downloads and now to streaming!

“There’s been a lot of artists who have kicked on successfully post Idol, so I’m humbled to have been awarded the most streamed Australian Idol!”

Spotify Australia Head of Music, Alicia Sbrugnera, added, “Australian Idol has grown to become a cultural phenomenon that has and continues to shape our nation’s pop and music zeitgeist. With early seasons gifting the nation with unforgettable moments, from Nollsy allegedly being robbed of first place to the first-ever double touchdown, it’s evident that Australia’s beloved idol stars are still a regular part of the nation and the world’s music listening habits.

“We’re thrilled we can finally reveal the most streamed Aussie Idol artists on Spotify, and of course, settle the twenty-year debate around who really won Australia’s first ever Australian Idol in 2003.”

MOST STREAMED AUSTRALIAN IDOLS ON SPOTIFY

TOP ARTIST STREAMS LOCALLY

1. Guy Sebastian

2. Matt Corby

3. Jessica Mauboy

4. Stan Walker

5. Shannon Noll

6. Lisa Mitchell

7. Casey Barnes

8. Ricki-Lee

9. Ngaiire

10. Anthony Callea

TOP ARTIST STREAMS GLOBALLY

1. Matt Corby

2. Guy Sebastian

3. Jessica Mauboy

4. Stan Walker

5. Lisa Mitchell

6. Shannon Noll

7. Casey Barnes

8. Ricki-Lee

9. Ngaiire

10. Anthony Callea

MOST STREAMED TRACKS GLOBALLY

1. “Resolution” by Matt Corby

2. “Choir” by Guy Sebastian

3. “Miracle Love” by Matt Corby

4. “Brother” by Matt Corby

5. “Before I Go” by Guy Sebastian

MOST STREAMED TRACKS LOCALLY

1. “Choir” by Guy Sebastian

2. “Brother” by Matt Corby

3. “Resolution” by Matt Corby

4. “Battle Scars (with Guy Sebastian)” by Guy Sebastian & Lupe Fiasco

5. “Miracle Love” by Matt Corby

TOP ARTISTS BY PLAYLIST

1. Guy Sebastian

2. Matt Corby

3. Jessica Mauboy

4. Stan Walker

5. Lisa Mitchell

GENERATIONAL BREAKDOWN

TOP ARTISTS FOR GEN Z

1. Hayley Warner

2. Rob Mills

3. Guy Sebastian

4. Jessica Mauboy

5. Matt Corby

TOP ARTISTS FOR MILLENNIALS

1. Joel Turner

2. Kate DeAraugo

3. Dean Geyer

4. Em Rusciano

5. Ngaiire, Owl Eyes, Lee Harding, Courtney Act

TOP ARTISTS FOR BABY BOOMERS

1. Wes Carr

2. Casey Donovan

3. Paulini

4. Amali Ward

5. Damien Leith