She faced court this week, indicating she will plead guilty to a string of weapon and drug charges.
And former Australian Idol judge Mark Holden says he is saddened by series winner Kate DeAraugo’s struggle with drugs.
‘It’s just a truly awful situation, ice is the scourge of Australia,’ he told The Daily Telegraph.
‘It’s just a truly awful situation’: Former Australian Idol judge Mark Holden says he is saddened by series winner Kate DeAraugo’s drug battle
Mark, who was a judge on Australian Idol from 2003 to 2007 and is now a barrister, helped propel Kate to stardom in 2005, when she won the show.
He said Kate’s struggle with drugs, which she has opened up about in the past, was an all-too-common situation across Australia.
‘I see people coming through the courts all the time because of their addiction. It affects people from all walks of life. It doesn’t distinguish between colour, creed or finances,’ Mark said.
Worked hard: Mark, who didn’t keep in touch with Kate once she left the show, admitted he was impressed with her work ethic on the series
Now a barrister: He said Kate’s struggle with drugs, which she has opened up about in the past, was an all-too-common situation across Australia
Mark, who didn’t keep in touch with Kate once she left the show, admitted he was impressed with her work ethic on the series.
‘She was good but I didn’t think she was great,’ Mark said of Kate’s singing.
On Wednesday, 31-year-old Kate looked downcast as she arrived at Bendigo Magistrates Court, located in country Victoria, on Wednesday morning.
After a brief appearance in court, she told reporters outside she regretted her actions.
Facing the music: Former Australian Idol winner Kate DeAraugo looks downcast as she faces court on weapon and ice possession charges
‘Of course I am sorry,’ she told reporters outside Bendigo Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday morning.
Kate, once a member of pop group Young Divas, is facing charges including possessing ice, drug driving, breaching bail and possessing a knife and tomahawk, with her hearing adjourned to November.
A charge of trafficking was withdrawn by prosecutors.
Charged: The Young Divas singer was busted by police allegedly carrying .43 grams of ice in Shepparton on June 10
Her barrister indicated she would plead guilty to the charges.
Magistrate Patrick Southey extended Kate’s bail and adjourned her case until November 15.
The singer was busted by police allegedly carrying .43 grams of ice in Shepparton on June 10, The Shepparton News reported.
Drug possession: The singer was busted by police allegedly carrying .43 grams of ice in Shepparton on June 10
Police also allege she was caught five days later with ice, and that she was illegally carrying a large knife and a tomahawk.
Kate won Australian Idol in 2005, later going on to sing as part of girl group Young Divas, which also starred former Idol contestants Paulini, Ricki-Lee Coulter and Emily Williams.
In the past the reality TV star has struggled with her weight, undergoing gastric sleeve surgery in 2012.
In January and February this year she had toured as a backup singer with the James Southwell band.
Music success: Kate won Australian Idol in 2005, later going on to sing as part of girl group Young Divas
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