After first stepping onto the Australian Idol stage a couple of weeks ago, Canberra’s Emma Jones has made it through to a new, lofty stage – public voting.

“I didn’t know what to expect at the audition – I didn’t know what would happen,” she says.

“To think it’s gotten to this point is pretty crazy. I didn’t even think I’d get past the audition!”

In a recent episode, she fought to advance to the top 12 (and the public voting rounds) as she took to the stage and performed I’ll Stand By You, a 1994 hit by English-American rock band The Pretenders.

“I feel the most nervous that I’ve felt so far. It gets more real when the public starts voting,” she says.

“Impressing the whole of Australia and getting people behind you is a whole challenge in itself. The performances go to another level because there’s so much riding on it.”

And while thousands across Australia tuned in to watch her sing, Emma was joined in the Idol studio by a special guest: her dad.

“Having him in the room was quite an emotional experience,” Emma says.

It helped make it an extra special performance, she says.

“I love this song, so I was really excited to perform that song.

“I love what we did with it [for the performance], especially with the backing vocals and the band. I felt like that really brought it together.

“Everybody, I think, could feel the impact of the song which is my intention. Every time I sing, I want to impact people.”

Emma Jones shared the stage with some famous names as part of her Australian Idol experience. Photo: Seven Network.

In a “nice surprise”, Emma joined internationally loved rockers the Goo Goo Dolls during their recent headline tour in Sydney.

“It’s definitely a once in a lifetime thing,” she says.

“I feel super grateful for it and I think just even seeing them and getting guidance from them is something I felt really impacted me. It felt really empowering.”

Now she’s a member of the top 12, the Wollongong-born singer is gearing up for the upcoming performances as she looks towards the pointy end of the competition.

“[Since the last performance,] my whole week is rehearsal. I’m just locking in,” she says.

“I’m really dedicating this week to preparing as best I can.”

Australian Idol is currently airing on the Seven Network and on the 7plus streaming service.