It was revealed this week that New Zealand-born Australian Idol winner Stan Walker has been suffering from an ‘undisclosed health issue.’
But the 27-year-old singer has brushed off his detractors by sharing a video of himself with a positive message in its caption, before documenting his salad lunch and fermented tea on Instagram.
In an Instagram Story posed this Saturday, Stan captioned a boomerang video of himself pulling a silly expression at the camera, alongside the caption: ‘I am beautiful no matter what they say.’
‘I am beautiful no matter what they say’: Stan Walker, 27, brushed off his detractors this Saturday by sharing a cheeky boomerang video on Instagram… following his extreme weight-loss due to ‘health issue’
Soon after, he uploaded a video of himself tucking into a salad lunch of spinach leaves, quinoa and avocado, alongside a pal.
Stan also shared a picture of his friends meal of bacon and eggs, commenting ‘times have changed that used to be me.’
Fairfax Media reported the star had inherited a rare cancer-causing gene mutation called CDH1, which had taken the lives of more than 25 of his family members.
Mixing it up: With spinach leaves, quinoa and avocado piled high on his plate, Stan also shared a picture of his friends meal of bacon and eggs, commenting ‘times have changed that used to be me’
But it’s not known whether this is the ‘health concern’ his management are referring to.
‘He has had some challenges healthwise but he will be back and working towards a new single release in March,’ Stan’s management told Newshub.
Recent photos of Stan show quite a dramatic transformation from the fuller faced singer that graced the Australian Idol stage a decade ago.
Tragic news: Fairfax Media reported the star had inherited a rare cancer-causing gene mutation called CDH1, which had taken the lives of more than 25 of his family members
On Thursday night, Stan took to Instagram to share an image with New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Arden.
In the comments fans pointed out Stan’s dramatic weight loss and were concerned for his wellbeing.
‘You’re an inspiration to many, and so many need a kind soul to help guide the future towards goodness. Make sure and take care of yourself too, quite a task you’ve accepted,’ one fan wrote.
‘He has had some challenges’: Australian Idol winner Stan Walker appears unrecognisable after his manager confirms the singer is struggling with health issues. Pictured left in 2010, right in 2018
Another chimed in with a similar: ‘why are you so skinny, dude?’
Sharing an image of the guests assembled at the event, Jacinda, who sat next to Stan, alluded to the singer’s ill health.
‘This photo does not do last night justice,’ Jacinda wrote.
Changed: Ten years after his auspicious Australian Idol win, Stan Walker looks almost unrecognisable, appearing gaunt and thin in recent public appearances. Pictured left in 2009, right in 2018
Unrecognisable: Recent photos of Stan show quite a dramatic transformation from the fuller faced singer that graced the Australian Idol stage. Pictured left in 2012, right in 2017
‘It was such a privilege to be at the dinner celebrating all of the young people who took part in something called the PM’s Youth Programme.
‘The stories warmed my heart, And thanks @stanwalker for joining us despite being unwell.’
Newshub also reported that Stan’s performance at the upcoming One Love festival would go ahead as Stan was feeling ‘well enough’.
Singing success: After his auspicious Idol win, Stan went on to release five studio albums. Stan pictured in 2012
Health woes? On Thursday night, Stan took to Instagram to share an image posing with New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Arden with fans pointing out Stan’s dramatic weight loss while issuing concern for his wellbeing
Concern: ‘You’re an inspiration to many, and so many need a kind soul to help guide the future towards goodness. Make sure and take care of yourself too, quite a task you’ve accepted, one fan wrote, while another chimed in with a similar: ‘why are you so skinny, dude?’
Stan suffered a blow in 2016 when he was forced to cancel a New Zealand tour after his mother April was diagnosed with breast cancer.
‘Friends, it is with sadness that I need to postpone my tour. I need to be with my Mum while she recovers from breast cancer. All we need as a family is your love and prayers,’ Walker said in a statement at the time.
After his auspicious Idol win, Stan went on to release five studio albums – his latest being 2015’s Truth & Soul as well as making forays into acting, starring in such fare as Hunt For The Wilderpeople.
Hung out with the PM: Further, sharing an image of the guests assembled at the event, Jacinda herself, who sat next to Stan in the photo, alluded to the singer’s ill health
Soldiering on: Jacinda commented; ‘thanks @stanwalker for joining us despite being unwell’