STAN WALKER OVERCOMING THE IMPOSSIBLE
Industry pressure and family trauma were hurdles the singer was prepared to take head-on
At just 18 years old, Stan Walker won over judges and the nation alike with his killer smile and sweeter-than-honey singing voice. Taking the crown on the seventh – and final – season of Australian Idol, the Melbourne-born performer was catapulted to stardom.
Landing a lucrative deal with Sony Music, his debut single Black Box soared in the charts, and a steady stream of hits soon followed, alongside support slots on big name tours with the likes of Beyonce and Nicki Minaj.
But behind the fame and fanfare lay a heartbreaking tale of violence, neglect and sexual abuse. A tale that remained secret until Stan released a tell-all memoir last year that revealed the story of his horrific childhood.
TOXIC UPBRINGING
“It was the most incredible experience,” the 31-year-old tells Woman’s Day of his decision “to put pen to paper”. “Looking at my life and working through trauma. I unpacked so much of my life that I had either never dealt with, or completely forgotten.”
Growing up in Mount Maunganui, New Zealand, the Idol winner’s early life was a toxic mix of poverty, alcoholism and domestic violence.
He endured regular beatings from his father and added to the violence was a ninemonth period of sexual abuse at the hands of a relative when Stan was aged eight. They’re issues he tackles head-on in his upcoming album, which is the musical equivalent of his soul-baring memoir.
In a testament to how hard Stan has worked to overcome his family trauma, his parents both attended his wedding at the end of last year.
NEW VENTURE
“This album has been five years in the making,” he says with a glint in his eye. “I’m the most excited, relieved and scared I’ve ever been about a release, because it’s so close to me... I’m really proud of it.”
Marking his artistic journey come full circle, All In will be Stan’s seventh studio album
– an album that pairs his trademark anthems and love for R&B with a cathartic venting of his personal demons.
“I like to deal with things in a creative way,” he explains. “I use the worst parts of my life as a tool to help myself first, and to then to help others, so writing the book and the album went hand in hand.
“It opened me up and made me realise who I am and what I’m worth… it was as exposing as hell, but man, it was really empowering!”
As hype around next year’s Seven reboot of Australian Idol reaches fever pitch, the star is reminded of his own time on the talent show 13 years ago. And while he’s living proof of its power to make dreams come true, the show itself was also a steep learning curve.
“I cringe when I look back, but mainly because of my style and song choices – what was I thinking!?” he says, chuckling.
“I was only 18 when I did Idol and I didn’t know what I was getting myself into. All I knew was that I loved singing and that my voice helped people.”
Despite becoming a household name, the awardwinning performer admits that he was naive about his expectations at the time about being a recording artist and about the pressures to be commercially successful.
“As an artist coming into this industry there’s a lot of pressure to perform,” he explains. “But over time, I’ve learned not to worry about what other people are thinking about me, or worrying about what’s ‘hot’ right now in the charts and to just make music that I love.”
‘I like to deal with things in a creative way’
Already a stepfather to his wife Lou Tyson’s son from a previously relationship, the pair have very recently welcomed a baby girl to the Walker clan.
“We’ve got a three-year-old and a newborn, so it’s busy!” he says of fatherhood. “The baby needs to get fed and changed, I need to look after my wife when she’s tired… but I feel like we’re doing it and this is what every parent has to deal with, no matter what you do for work, you just have to adapt.”
FAMILY FIRST, ALWAYS
While it’s a juggling act of balancing high-profile work commitments and his family,
Stan says there’s no contest when it comes to his priority.
“Number one is my family,” he says matter-of-factly. “I don’t compromise when it comes to my family. It’s not just a ‘me’ thing, because anything I do impacts my family.
“It can be difficult, but it doesn’t have to be difficult. Communication is key and my wife and I discuss everything. This is what we want ultimately – our legacy is our kids.”
Reflecting on the last
13 years, the entertainer says he’s come a long way from the love-starved child who used music as a refuge to the confident family man he is today.
“My life back at 18 compared to now at 31 can’t be compared,” he says. “I’ve learned so much, I have a greater perspective on life, on things, and people. My heart is open to learning and I want to stay teachable. I want to grow and sometimes I fail, but I’m trying.
“I didn’t expect the journey I’ve been on and the different paths it would take – both good and bad.
“It’s beautiful to know who you are and where you’re heading, but it’s also exciting knowing that there’s still so much more to come.”
Stan’s seventh studio album, ALL IN, is out now