Guy Sebastian may be the new kid on the block, joining Delta Goodrem, Boy George and Kelly Rowland in the red chairs, but there’s a reason the former Australian Idol’s team is filling up quicker than any of the other coaches this season of Channel Nine’s The Voice Australia.
He is one of the nation’s most successful singers, who became a household favourite as The X Factor judge, a regular in the ARIA charts with a bucket of number one hits and ARIA Awards.
Married to wife Jules, it is clear the 37-year-old Aussie is kind and down-to-earth, and it’s all down to his practice nurturing talent.
“I’ve been spending a lot of time with my kids,” the Sydney-based singer tells WHO.
“Time becomes more precious when you’re a dad. I need to maximise these hours while I have them.” The proud father of Hudson, 7 and Archer, 5, has used his paternal instincts when it comes to mentoring artists on The Voice Australia as one of The Voice coaches.
As for his down-to-earth nature, Sebastian reveals his humble upbringing has a lot to do with it.
The ‘Battle Scars’ hitmaker opens up for the first time about what it was like growing up, parenting, the music industry, the new season and blind auditions and a big personal project he’s been working on …
What was your life like growing up in Adelaide?
It was simple life. I think we had all the things we needed, like a lot of love. We always had great food and we had good education. But we definitely didn’t grow up in an affluent neighbourhood. I didn’t get my first Nikes until I was older and they were cheap ‘Nikes’, you know, at Spendless. Oh my gosh I slept with them!
Has that had an impact on how you raise your kids?
My kids have had more Nikes and shoes than I’ve had in my whole life!
A few years ago you spoke about the
boys going through a tough phase.
Are they still naughty?
Nah, they’re great kids! You know what,
I feel like sometimes as parents you get the worst version of your kids because they’re just comfortable. But at school they’re angels and everyone tells us how polite they are. When we see him with babies and kids, Hudson’s so nurturing and he loves little
kids. But he’s a lot! What do you mean? He’s got this real energy and I love it about him, but it’s tough to parent. I’d never squash it, though. He is like, “How do I maximise this moment?” But it’s every second of the day. It’s like, “Why aren’t you maximising this time” and you’re like, “Let’s just chill and not do an activity.”
For The Voice Australia’s Guy Sebastian’s full interview – including what Jack Vidgen is like – be sure to pick up the new issue of WHO.
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