A smile as wide as Woy Woy Bay appeared on the face of singer and hairdresser, Angie Baby of Woy Woy, when she received a Golden Ticket to the Australian Idol audition in January 2025, giving her a 1 in 50 chance of becoming the next Australian Idol.
Baby operated WOW WOW hair salon on Railway St for six years but sadly the shop was lost to flooding several years ago and ever since she has operated out of a nearby home salon.
“On March 2, 2022 I lost the lot when some piping flooded my store. When I lost my business I had to trust that it was all for a good reason,” she said.
Baby has been far from idle though; rather she has been warming up her vocal chords in the months leading up to the big audition in January, performing at Woy Woy’s Link and Pin on November 10 with her blues/rock band, Angie Baby and the Chase.
“I’ve been singing for most of my life – my dad put a microphone in my hand when I was three and I used to sing The Rose by Bette Midler,” Baby said.
“I moved up here from Perth over 20 years ago and I was quite a successful singer (as a solo artist and in cabaret).
“My band supported John Farnham at Leeuwin Estate Festival in Margaret River; my ex James Morley was in The Angels and we were in the band together.
“At the time I was on my way towards a great career, but I lost my entire family – my parents, my brother … I went through quite a lot of trauma and that knocked me around, and my mental health.”
On January 1 this year I decided to snap out of it and I’ve been turning everything around since.
“Now I’m 15kg down, I’m in a band and I’m bringing more than 20,000 followers on social media on my journey,” Baby said.
“I’m so very happy to know that now, at 53 years of age, that I can reach for the stars.”
“Years ago I was pipped at the post by Sophie Monk when I auditioned for Popstars back in 2000 and my life has taken some twists and turns since.
“A couple of months ago I did a radio interview with Kyle and Jackie O and they surprised me by paying me a visit and giving me this Golden Ticket opportunity.”
Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch said Baby’s Idol audition was a win for both Baby and Woy Woy.
“I’m delighted by the news that Angie has secured a coveted Golden Ticket for Australian Idol 2025.,” she said.
“What a moment to showcase her fabulous performance skills as well as getting even more eyeballs on our famous Woy Woy.
“The town of Woy Woy, and the entire Central Coast, will be cheering for you, Angie, when you take to the stage.” Tesch said.
Angie Baby and the Chase plays its inaugural gig at Link and Pin on Sunday, November 10.