Kesha Oayda is a young singer‑songwriter from Jindabyne in the Snowy Mountains of New South Wales, Australia. She came to wider public attention in 2026 when she auditioned for season 11 of Australian Idol and charmed viewers as the show’s “singing skier.” Before her television debut she had built a local following through busking, winning regional talent competitions and performing at snow‑season festivals. This biography collates the confirmed facts about her life and career and explains why online searchers are so interested in her story.
Early life and background
- Childhood in Jindabyne: Oayda grew up in Jindabyne, a town in the Snowy Mountains that serves as a gateway to several ski resorts. Her parents, Nolen and Daisy Oayda, are both well‑known in the local community; her father is a professional skier and photographer who operates the Snowy Mountain Cookies business and moved to Jindabyne for the skiing. Oayda has a younger sister, Tulli, and she often describes her family as her biggest supporters.
- Musical household: According to an interview with the Monaro Post, Oayda began playing guitar and singing in childhood. She credits her musician father for introducing her to music and remembers entering the Jindy Idol competition at around eight years old. Performing in front of her community during that event made her realise she wanted to share music “for as long as I can”.
- Local busking and early gigs: Oayda spent her teenage years busking outside the local Woolworths and playing gigs around Jindabyne and Pambula. In 2019 she won the secondary age category at the Australian National Busking Championships regional final in Cooma and later placed in the national grand final. Her success in busking competitions helped finance equipment and increased her regional profile.
- Festival appearances: The Monaro Musings newsletter noted Oayda in its line‑up for the Peak Music Festival at Perisher in 2019. By 2025, Snowy Mountains Magazine described her as “Jindabyne’s own” performer among the headline acts for the Peak Music Festival during the resort’s opening weekend. Playing at ski‑season festivals cemented her reputation as a “singing skier.”
Career and rise to national attention
- Community performances: Before appearing on television, Oayda was known locally for her live performances. She played at regional markets, cafes and snow festivals throughout the Snowy Mountains and along the south coast. The Monaro Post article from February 2026 recounts how she opened the 2025 winter season at the Perisher Peak Festival and performed throughout the season.
- Australian Idol audition: Oayda auditioned for Australian Idol season 11 in early 2026. The official show summary lists her as 21 years old from Jindabyne and notes that she sang “Die With a Smile” by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars. She received a “golden ticket” to the Top 30 and advanced to the next round. Media outlets such as TV Blackbox and WatchInAmerica highlighted her tagline as the “singing skier”.
- Continuation on Idol: During the Top 30 round aired in late February 2026, Oayda performed in Group 4 and again advanced. At the time of writing (February 2026), the series is still airing, so her final placement remains unknown.
- Release of audition single: Music services such as Shazam list “Die With a Smile (Australian Idol Performance)” as Oayda’s debut single, released in 2026. The track is a recording of her Idol audition song and is currently her only widely available release.
TV shows, competitions and major appearances
| Event or competition | Date | Details & outcome | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jindy Idol talent competition (Jindabyne) | c. 2008–2010 | Local singing contest that Oayda entered as a child; she credits this experience with sparking her desire to perform. | Monaro Post interview |
| Australian National Busking Championships – Cooma regional final | 2019 | Oayda won the secondary age category, earning a place in the national grand final. | ANBC winners list |
| Peak Music Festival (Perisher) | 2019 & 2025 | Listed among the festival’s performers and later cited as a headline act. | Monaro Musings; Snowy Mountains Magazine |
| Australian Idol (Season 11) | 2026 | Auditioned on 15 February 2026 with “Die With a Smile”; received a golden ticket and advanced to the Top 30. | Australian Idol (Seven Network) & TV Blackbox |
Age, height and personal details
- Age: Oayda’s age varies between sources. Australian Idol’s official list and entertainment sites describe her as 21. A local profile in the Monaro Post, however, described her as 20 years old when the article was published in early February 2026. Without a publicly available birthdate, her exact age cannot be verified.
- Height: As of February 2026 there are no reliable public sources providing Oayda’s height. She has not disclosed this information, so it remains unknown.
- Family: Oayda’s parents are Nolen Oayda, a professional skier and photographer, and Daisy Oayda. She has a sister named Tulli, who also competed in the busking championships. Oayda speaks often about the support she receives from her family and community.
- Relationships: There is no verifiable public information about Oayda’s romantic relationships. She keeps her personal life private, so any speculation would be inappropriate.
- Residence: She continues to live in Jindabyne, New South Wales, where her family runs Snowy Mountain Cookies.
Social media presence
Oayda maintains an active presence on social media to connect with fans:
- Instagram: She posts performance clips and behind‑the‑scenes photos on her public Instagram account (@keshaneve.music). Posts around January 2026 promoted her Australian Idol audition.
- Music platforms: Her Australian Idol audition song “Die With a Smile (Australian Idol Performance)” is available on streaming services such as Shazam and Spotify. At the time of writing she has no full‑length EP or album.
Public interest and search intent
Online searches about Kesha Oayda tend to focus on:
- Her age and background: Many viewers want to know how old she is and where she comes from. Because official sources list her as 21 while local profiles say 20, confusion persists.
- The “singing skier” nickname: This phrase appears in promotions for Australian Idol and stems from her upbringing in the Snowy Mountains, where skiing is a popular pastime. Though specific details about her skiing ability are scarce, the moniker emphasises her connection to the snow community.
- Her Idol performances: Fans search for recordings of her audition and subsequent performances, which Channel 7 releases on YouTube and music platforms.
- Local pride: Residents of Jindabyne and the Snowy Mountains follow her journey closely, as seen in local news coverage. Searches often relate to community support and how to vote for her on the show.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Kesha Oayda?
Sources differ; Australian Idol lists her as 21 years old, while a February 2026 Monaro Post article described her as 20 years old. Her exact birthdate is not public.
Where is Kesha Oayda from?
She was born and raised in Jindabyne, New South Wales, a town in the Snowy Mountains. She still lives there with her family.
Why is she called the “singing skier”?
Promotional material for Australian Idol describes Oayda as a “singing skier.” The nickname reflects her upbringing in the Snowy Mountains and her love for the snow‑season lifestyle. She has performed at ski‑season festivals such as the Peak Music Festival.
What song did she sing at her Australian Idol audition?
Oayda auditioned with “Die With a Smile,” a duet by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars. Her performance earned her a golden ticket to the Top 30 and was released as a single on music platforms.
Did Kesha Oayda win Jindy Idol as a child?
Yes. In interviews she recalled entering and winning the Jindy Idol competition around age eight, an experience that convinced her to pursue music.
What other competitions has she participated in?
Before Australian Idol, Oayda competed in the Australian National Busking Championships in 2019. She won the secondary age category at the Cooma regional final and later placed at the national grand final.
Does she have any original songs or albums?
As of February 2026, Oayda’s only widely released recording is her “Die With a Smile (Australian Idol Performance)” single. She has not yet released an EP or studio album.
What is known about her personal life or relationships?
Oayda speaks publicly about her supportive family but has not shared details about romantic relationships. There are no reliable sources about her dating life, net worth or height, so these details remain unknown.
Conclusion
Kesha Oayda’s journey from busking in a small snow town to performing on a national television stage has resonated with audiences across Australia. She combines the grounded authenticity of a regional performer with the ambition of a young artist eager to grow. While much of her story is still unfolding, what is clear is her deep connection to the Snowy Mountains community and the unwavering support of her family. As Australian Idol continues, fans can follow her performances on Channel 7 and streaming platforms, and keep an eye on her social media for future releases.