He’s the former Australian Idol who caused concern recently when photos emerged of him looking dramatically thinner than when he was crowned winner in 2009.
And while management for Stan Walker told Newshub on Friday the musician was battling an undisclosed health issue, the 27-year-old took to Instagram to assure fans ‘no one was sick or dying’.
As the hitmaker prepares to release a new single in March this year, Daily Mail Australia revisits the Australian-New Zealand star’s illustrious music career.
Who is Stan Walker? A look back at the former Australian Idol winner who resurfaced in the limelight thanks to a mysterious health battle
Stan first shot to fame after winning the final season of Channel Ten’s Australian Idol at just 19 years old.
The talented singer impressed the judges – which included Ian ‘Dicko’ Dickinson, Marcia Hines, Kyle Sandilands and the late Jay Dee Springbett – with renditions of tunes by John Legend, Miley Cyrus, Beyoncé and the Bee Gees during his stint on the talent show.
Following in the footsteps of the likes of Guy Sebastian, Shannon Noll and Jessica Mauboy, Stan used the series as a springboard for his music career.
Launching pad: Following in the footsteps of the likes of Guy Sebastian, Shannon Noll and Jessica Mauboy, Stan used the series as a springboard for his music career
Hitting milestones! Stan’s debut single peaked at number two on the ARIA charts and he later performed as a support act for Nicki Minaj and Beyoncé
After filming wrapped up, Stan debuted his winner’s single Black Box, which peaked at number two on the ARIA chart and hit number one on the New Zealand Singles Chart.
Stan also achieved success with his first album Introducing… Stan Walker, which was produced by inauagural Australian Idol winner Guy Sebastian.
In 2010, Stan performed alongside industry heavyweights including Flo Rida, Jay Sean Akon and Ciara at the Summerbeatz tour as a support act and two years later joined Nicki Minaj on her Australian tour.
Stan continued to hit milestones, and opened for pop superstar Beyoncé at several of her Australian gigs in 2013.
Back to the small screen: In 2013, Stan nabbed a role as a judge on New Zealand’s incarnation of The X Factor
The musician made a return to the small screen in 2013, when he nabbed a role as a judge on New Zealand’s incarnation of The X Factor.
He continued to tour and release music, with his latest album Truth & Soul released in April 2015.
Last week, the hitmaker was thrust back into the limelight as reports emerged concerning a mysterious illness that Stan was reportedly suffering from.
In several images, the singer looked noticeably different from his early career days, with his management telling Newshub: ‘He has had some challenges healthwise but he will be back and working towards a new single release in March.’
On Monday, Stan responded to fans’ concerns over his health, telling them on Instagram: ‘People of the gram ralax ur undies, no1 is sick or dying (sic).’
He added: ‘Gooosh man all the over dramaticness just wait till u hear me sing & u will know (sic)’.
‘No1 is sick or dying’: On Monday, Stan responded to fans’ concern over his health and appearance in recent images, telling them there was nothing to worry about (pictured left in 2012 and right with New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern in 2018)