What The Hell Has Happened To This Decade’s Reality Show Winners?
As we say a fond goodbye to the 2010s, one of its weirdest legacies in Australian TV was the massive amount of reality TV singing competition winners from The Voice, The X-Factor and Australia’s Got Talent.
We can all agree that the noughties were synonymous with Australian Idol, however heading into the ’10s there was no shortage of reality series’ that aspiring singers could compete on.
But while a handful of Idol singers went on the become household names, we sadly can’t say the same for the contestants from these 2010-2019 shows. Like seriously, where the hell is Reece Mastin or Justice Crew? And what is Karise Eden doing with her life? Is she still hanging out with Seal?
Let’s have a walk down memory lane with some of the ’10s forgotten reality TV singing competition winners to see what they look like now.
Karise Eden
The Voice Winner, 2012
The Voice’s first winner, Karise took the top prize in 2012 on Team Seal and her audition singing ‘It’s A Man’s World’ remains one of the series’ most memorable performances to date.
While her first album went double platinum, she seemed to disappear from the spotlight but she’s been busy raising her son Blayden. In the past few years, she has since toured with Bluesfest and is currently touring for her third studio album titled Born to Fight.
Altiyan Childs
The X-Factor Winner, 2010
To say Altiyan has had a tumultuous journey since winning The X-Factor would be an understatement. Since taking the top prize, Altiyan was found guilty of having methamphetamine and marijuana in his system while driving which led to him eventually parting ways with Sony Music Australia. There was also his bizarre efforts to avoid the spotlight by living in a cave in Sydney’s northern beaches.
In more recent news, in 2016 Altiyan played the title role in a Queensland production of Jesus Christ Superstar. He now plays gigs fronting a new band called Circus Dust.
Justice Crew
Australia’s Got Talent Winners, 2010
Considering these guys were a dance troupe initially when they won Australia’s Got Talent, they found massive success in music with hit singles ‘Boom Boom’, ‘Everybody’ and ‘Que Sera’.
This year, Justice Crew competed in America’s Got Talent: The Champions but were eliminated in the first episode. The group is currently embarking on a 10 year anniversary tour.
Harrison Craig
The Voice Winner, 2013
Another win for Team Seal, the nation truly fell for this young crooner. Following his debut album from The Voice, Harrison released L-O-V-E, a collection of jazz covers, before dropping his third album Kings Of Vegas, paying homage to the 1950s. He is currently embarking on regional tour performing love songs by Elton John.
Reece Mastin
The X-Factor Winner, 2011
After winning The X-Factor, Reece enjoyed early success with hits ‘Good Night’ and ‘Shut Up and Kiss Me’, and his first two albums topped the charts. In 2015, he parted ways with Sony and signed with independent label Social Family Records.
In February 2018, he announced that his new material will be released under the name ‘Mastin’ and dropped a new album called Suitcase of Stories, which failed to set the charts on fire.
Anja Nissen
The Voice Winner, 2014
Anja’s biggest professional achievement since winning The Voice was representing Denmark in the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest, where she finished in the top 20.
Jack Vidgen
Australia’s Got Talent Winner, 2011
After winning AGT, Jack’s first studio album Yes I Am debuted at number three on the ARIA albums charts but in the years following he seemed to fade into obscurity. This year, Jack returned to the spotlight as a contestant on The Voice, placing in the top 10.
Jack recently revealed on Instagram that he will be competing in next year’s season of America’s Got Talent: The Champions… following in Justice Crew’s footsteps. Lol.
Celia Pavey
The Voice (Placed Third), 2013
One of the decade’s most successful reality TV contestants didn’t even win. ICYMI, Celia went on to become known as Vera Blue and her first single ‘Hold’ peaked at number five on the US Spotify viral top 50 charts, while her album Perennial reached number six on the ARIA charts.
She has also lent her ethereal vocals to rapper Illy’s massive hit song ‘Papercuts’, along with several Flume tracks, proving sometimes it’s better to not actually win these kinds of singing TV shows. Just ask Matt Corby.