Sporting a navy blue “J” letterman jacket, John Standley had the judges entertained from the first note of his rendition of “Shout!,” the 1959 hit song by Johnny O’Keefe, during his “Australian Idol” audition.
It didn’t take long for the judges to start dancing and singing along with him — and it wouldn’t be their last time either.
The 17-year-old received the golden ticket on the Australian reality singing competition, securing his spot among the top 30 contestants and has since advanced to the final six contestants.
As John continues to make waves with his bold song choices and lively performances, he hasn’t lost sight of what he says has brought him so far.
“I’m only here because of the blessings of the Lord,” he said.
John applied for “Australian Idol” following his family’s move from Bunbury, Australia, to Adelaide, after his parents — President Rhys Standley and Sister Jasmine Standley — were called in 2024 to lead the Australia Adelaide Mission.
Seeking to continue building his music profile, the teen applied for the competition online in 2025. A few months later, he received an email stating he was accepted.
“I freaked out because I was not expecting anything to come of it, nothing at all,” John said.
But the journey to his “Australian Idol” debut hadn’t been easy — John faced challenges adjusting to life in Adelaide.
Everything had been going well for Standley, settling into school and establishing friendships with fellow musicians in Bunbury — but that changed when his parents were called as mission leaders.
“At 16, friend groups are already established, and you’re coming into a new school and just starting over again,” said Sister Standley. “It was really, really tough for him.”
But despite the difficult transition, he “handled it so well,” she added.
The teen would sing often and even began writing his own songs to keep himself occupied.
“Music was his saving grace,” Sister Standley said.
A testimony strengthened through music
John Standley’s love for singing sprung from childhood piano lessons.
His music teacher also taught her students to sing, and for John, singing took hold.
“I went in for piano lessons one time, and I came out singing,” he recalled, “I’ve just kept singing ever since.
John has since used his talent to share his testimony.
“For me and a lot of people, music is the easiest way to feel the Spirit and probably the most common way I feel the Spirit,” he said.
For John, being able to share that with others means a lot to him, reassuring him that what he is doing is good.
“It just draws me closer to Jesus Christ,” he said.
One of John’s favorite songs to perform at Church devotionals is “Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)” by Chris Tomlin.
His favorite line from the lyrics — “My chains are gone, I’ve been set free, my God, my Savior, has ransomed me” — captures the message that resonates most with him.
“Because Jesus Christ is my Savior, I’ve been set free,” he explained. “He’s already done it.”
Though “Australian Idol” hasn’t explicitly addressed John’s faith, Sister Standley noted that viewers can still “see the Spirit in him” through his portrayal as a wholesome, fun-loving teenager.
A mission worth the move
Now, halfway through their service as missionary leaders, the Standleys say the experience has been deeply meaningful.
“It’s been the best thing for our family,” Sister Standley said, acknowledging that her son may not have had the opportunity to compete on “Australian Idol” if it weren’t for the move.
Sister Standley said she has seen her son’s desire to serve a mission grow stronger as he and younger siblings accompanied them on the mission assignment.
The family frequently welcomes missionaries into their home, where Sister Standley says she has seen John be inspired by their faith.
“He really loves the missionaries,” she said, adding, “Every interaction with missionaries builds your testimony because they just really hold a special spirit.”
For John Standley, faith continues to be at the forefront as he builds his music career.
“I always have my Savior there to help me,” he said.
