Broome’s Amy Reeves tells of hospitalisation hours before grand final in first post-competition interview

After a whirlwind journey on the Australian Idol stage captured the nation’s hearts, Broome’s rising star Amy Reeves has been named runner-up of the 2024 season. The 25-year-old went up against NSW father Dylan Wright and Queensland country singer Denvah Baker-Moller on Monday night, edging close to being named WA’s first Australian Idol winner, but ultimately claimed second place. Audiences couldn’t have guessed Reeves was battling a case of laryngitis during her spectacular performance, having left the hospital merely hours before her final performance. Speaking to the Broome Advertiser in her first post-competition interview, Reeves said she was unsure what would happen when she woke up with no voice the morning of the grand finale. “I went into emergency that morning because I thought how am I going to sing? So they stuck a camera down my throat to have a look at my chords and make sure there were no polyps or cysts... but there was nothing, it was just really red and inflamed,” she said. “It turned out to be laryngitis so they injected me with a steroid that helped with the inflammation, and that’s how I got through it.” Host and former finalist Ricki-Lee Coulter commended the exhausted Reeve’s efforts despite her condition after singing Jessie J’s ‘Bang Bang’ and Aretha Franklin’s ‘A Natural Woman’. “I was kind of like at that point, I’m just so thrilled to be here and whatever happens, happens. There’s nothing more I can do,” Reeves said. “Last night was about celebration more than anything, I’m still so stoked with how I went as runner-up, I’m not mad at all and Dylan’s incredible. “I’m just so grateful I even got this far.” Back at home, the Broome community gathered at Spinifex Alehouse in Cable Beach to throw support behind the songstress and watch her performances on the big screen. Excitement filled the air as Reeves was announced as the first person to make it into the Top 2, but the Broome crowd couldn’t hide their shock that their favourite contestant had been pipped at the post for the title of the Australian Idol. Reeves said she can’t wait to return and perform for her community when she returns to the coastal town. “One of the first things I want to do is come home and do a concert for the community, it’s the absolute least I can do to say thank you,” she said. “I love my Broome mob, I can’t wait to get home and thank all of them. That’s what I really care about, it’s at the forefront of my mind to go home and be with the community.”