IT'S an all-girl Toyota Star Maker Grand Final on Friday after the girls were victorious at the hard-fought finals on Sunday.
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After 10 artists performed two songs each, Tamworth's Allison Forbes, West Australian artist Karin Page and Sydney singer Missy Lancaster were announced as the trio who will battle it out for the Toyota Star Maker title on Friday night.
Forbes said she wanted to win the title to showcase the diversity that exists in country.
"I am hoping to represent the diversity of country music that we have today," she said. "I want to try to change the opinion of what country music actually is, and what it looks like and what it sounds like."
Forbes, a former CMAA Academy of Country Music graduate, said it was "an insane feeling" when she was announced first as a grand finalist.
"I definitely was not expecting it," she said. "We were having a group hug backstage, so it was a beautiful moment. I could see my parents and (partner) Sheree and my friends, so I was very moved.
"The support in the crowd was phenomenal, but meant it was very nerve-wracking at the same time. There was a lot of love in the room."
Page said she found out about the competition three years ago when she was involved with Telstra Road to Discovery.
"I never thought I would be able to be a contestant," she said. "Six months before the competition opened, a few people said you're going to be across east, so enter. I was really shocked to get in."
Page said her plans for the year ahead were everything the competition was about.
"I've been on the road for 18 months writing songs and I plan to tour and play festivals," she said.
"For the next 18 to 24 months, I want to get to as many festivals as I can. I would love the financial support to be able to do things with the amazing team and the industry guidance. It would be living the dream with the right people around you."
Lancaster said she was blown away when she was announced as a grand finalist.
"I'm just ecstatic and overwhelmed," she said.
"I want to tour the new EP and head to Nashville. I would like to record an album and do a film clip for the single. The competition gives you lots of promotion, exposure and I want to make the most of the platform I've been put on."
