All of Jack Vidgen’s dreams came true when he was just 14. And he’s changed a lot since then – watch video below.
After winning the fifth season of Australia’s Got Talent in 2011, pocketing $250,000 in prize money and releasing his debut album Yes I Am, the rising star headed to Los Angeles to give international fame a crack.
However, it didn’t work out.
Jack, now 22, returned to Australia two years later to work in an aged-care home.
While he’s now ready to return to the stage as a contestant on The Voice, the question still remains – what happened to all that prize money?
“I wanted to buy my mum a car, so that was a pretty big chunk out of it,” he tells New Idea.
“I grew up poor with a single mum, and at some points she was working three jobs, working her a– off just so we could eat. So I’d never seen that much money in my life.”
According to Jack, the prize money quickly dwindled away once he made the decision to move to the US.
“I don’t think people realise how much it costs to upkeep pursuing a music career, especially with the level I got to,” he reveals.
“I funded it myself going across to LA and that costs a lot of money. If you think about all the transfers, the cars, the flights, it all costs money.
“It [the prize money] funded my career.”
When it was announced Jack was auditioning for the eighth season of The Voice, the young singer raised eyebrows with his dramatically different look.
But Jack says he’s not fazed by the comments about his appearance and plastic surgery rumours.
“My face has changed,” he says.
“It’s The Voice, not the face! It’s so funny. I only pay attention to the people that know me and know my character.”
“I know myself and it’s been a long journey of discovering who I am and loving myself and I’m at that point now where I really and it doesn’t affect me,” he adds.
“I’ve kind of gone through it already so I’ve got to get used to it again but I understand that it [judgement] comes with the territory and I get people really do love to hate and it’s unfortunate, but whatever floats your boat. I’m over here, I’m happy.”
Hoping to turn Guy Sebastian’s chair, Jack jokes if he doesn’t make it far on The Voice, he’s hoping his love-life will benefit from him being on the show.
“Hopefully I’ll find a husband,” he says, laughing. “No, I’m happy and single. I’m just so grateful for this opportunity and to be let back into people’s lounge rooms and share my story.”
For more, pick up the latest copy of New Idea on sale now!
Related stories
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
