Cody James (full name Cody James Fenner) is a young Australian singer-songwriter known for auditioning on Australian Idol 2026. He grew up in Karratha in Western Australia and later moved to Perth to study music at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA). As of early 2026 he is 20 years old. James released his debut single “Interstate” in October 2025 – a folk-tinged track reportedly written about leaving his hometown and chasing bigger dreams. His music career is just beginning, and he first came to national attention through his Idol audition.
Early Life & Background
Cody James grew up in the regional mining town of Karratha, WA. His passion for music developed early – he sings and plays guitar and eventually relocated to Perth to study formally. A profile notes he is “now based in Perth while studying music at WAAPA”, indicating he pursued his musical training. (His full name is listed as Cody James Fenner in one profile.) Because Cody is still early in his career, many personal details are not public. For example, nothing has been confirmed about his family, height or personal life, so such information remains unknown.
Music Career and Releases
James is primarily an acoustic singer-guitarist. A booking profile describes him as having “rich vocals and a versatile acoustic style” and notes that he performs covers of pop, indie, rock, and classic sing-along hits. He has played at local venues and events around Western Australia, building a grassroots following. In late 2025 he released his first original single, “Interstate”, on streaming platforms. According to reports, “Interstate” was “written in his bedroom about leaving his hometown to chase something bigger” – a song about the bittersweet feelings of growing up. In a public fundraiser Cody wrote that he turns his own “stories, experiences, and Karratha pride into songs people can feel”, suggesting his music is deeply inspired by personal life and hometown pride. As of now, “Interstate” remains his main known release; no full album has appeared yet.
- Debut Single: “Interstate” (folk single released 24 Oct 2025), themed on leaving his hometown.
- Performance Style: Acoustic pop/indie-rock covers and original songs, emphasizing heartfelt lyrics.
Australian Idol 2026 Audition
Cody James first gained wider media attention through Australian Idol Season 11 (premiered Feb 2026). He auditioned in early February 2026 for Channel 7’s revived Idol series. During the televised audition he performed an acoustic song for the judges. Coverage of the show confirms that Cody did advance past the audition stage (earning a Golden Ticket to the next round). In fact, an entertainment site’s contestant list explicitly names “Cody James, 20, Karratha, WA” as one of the auditionees who received a Golden Ticket. (That listing is based on Idol’s official results and confirms his age and hometown.) Fans have since searched for video clips of his performance. Overall, his Idol appearances introduced him to a national audience. As one regional commentator noted, Cody wants to “show Australia what Karratha talent can do” and inspire other country kids.
Age and Personal Details
- Age: 20 years old (in 2026).
- Height: Not publicly disclosed (no information available).
- Family/Relationships: None publicly known; he keeps personal life private.
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Education: Studying at WAAPA (music school in Perth).
Because he is a newcomer, fans have limited biographical data. All confirmed facts (age, hometown, study) come from his public profiles and the Idol coverage. Details like net worth or family remain unknown.
Social Media and Public Presence
Cody James is building an online presence to reach fans. He maintains an Instagram account under the handle @codyjamess, where he shares updates and music clips. A fundraiser page for his Idol journey explicitly invited followers to “FOLLOW CODY ON INSTAGRAM” and to stream his single “Interstate”. He also has a Facebook page (“Cody James Music”) for promoting shows. His music (e.g., “Interstate”) is available on streaming platforms like Spotify. These channels are where supporters can hear his songs and watch his Idol performances.
Public Interest and Search Trends
As a fresh face on national TV, Cody has quickly become a topic of interest for Idol viewers and local media. His story – a country boy from Karratha chasing a national spotlight – resonates with many. In fact, Cody himself has said he hopes to “inspire other regional kids” by proving “someone from Karratha can chase their dreams”. Local news outlets and social media users often mention his hometown proudly. On Google and fan forums, people commonly search for “Cody James Australian Idol”, “Cody James Interstate”, or “Cody James Karratha” as they look for his performances and background. Because he is relatively unknown outside of the show, available information is still sparse; most content focuses on his Idol audition and music releases.
FAQs
- Who is Cody James? Cody James is a singer-songwriter from Karratha, Western Australia. He gained attention in 2026 by auditioning on Season 11 of Australian Idol. He had released a debut single, “Interstate,” in late 2025.
- How old is he? He was 20 years old at the time of his 2026 Idol audition. His exact birthday is not publicly listed.
- Where is he from? Cody is from Karratha, a remote town in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.
- What did he sing on Australian Idol? In his 2026 audition he performed an acoustic cover (reports indicate it was “Fire and the Flood” by Vance Joy). He impressed the judges and earned a Golden Ticket to advance further. (Media coverage of each episode confirms his advancement, but full audition clips are available on Channel 7’s platform.)
- Does he have any songs or albums? His known music release is the single “Interstate”, released October 24, 2025. It is available on Spotify and other streaming services. No full album has been released yet.
- Social media: Cody is active on Instagram under @codyjamess, where he posts music and audition updates. He also had a Facebook page called Cody James Music. Fans can follow these for his latest news.
- Personal life: Cody has kept personal details private. Apart from his hometown and music studies, little is known publicly. Height, family background, relationships, and net worth have not been disclosed.
Conclusion
Cody James is an emerging Australian artist who is just beginning to make a name for himself. He comes from Karratha, WA and is known for his soulful acoustic singing and songwriting. In 2026 he took a big step by auditioning on national TV’s Australian Idol, bringing attention to regional talent. For now, fans and curious listeners can stream his debut single and follow him on social media for updates. If you want to keep track of his journey, tune into Australian Idol on Channel 7 and follow Cody’s official pages for the latest news. As he says, he’s out to prove that “someone from Karratha can chase their dreams”.