John Pearce: Aussies stunned by the ‘secret’ past of the Purple Wiggle: ‘I knew he seemed familiar’

Australians have been left stunned after learning about the Purple Wiggle’s lucrative side hustle.

John Pearce, who has become a household name since joining the Wiggle family, was caught on camera belting out tunes to ‘Que Sera’ at a nightclub in April.

The heavily tattooed Wiggle appeared alongside his twin brother, Len, and proved he can work any crowd from preschoolers to 18+ audiences at clubs and bars.  

The 31-year-old hunk is a member of Aussie dance-pop band Justice Crew who are best known as winners of the fourth season of Australia’s Got Talent.

Pearce is widely known as part of children’s band The Wiggles, which he joined in 2021 when the band expanded to include eight members instead of four.

And it didn’t take parents, namely mums, long to notice the young Sydneysider’s talents.

Pearce is widely known as part of children’s band The Wiggles, which he joined in 2021 when the band expanded to include eight members instead of four – and the Sydneysider has quickly become a hot topic among young mums 

Now, John famously wears the purple skivvy and promotes his keen interest in health and science as part of the children’s band. 

His wiggly transition sees him wearing more long sleeves, and high necklines.

Many of his ‘new mum’ fans were shocked to hear him perform the iconic Justice Crew anthem. 

‘I don’t know how this happened but the nostalgia was real,’ Kaitai, a fan said.

The dance-pop band has not released an album since 2014 and their last tour was in 2019.

John Pearce, who has become a household name since joining the Wiggle family, was caught on camera belting out tunes to ‘Que Sera’ at a nightclub in April

John and his brother still perform together today – despite his transition to become the much-loved purple Wiggle

The 31-year-old hunk was seen belting out tunes to ‘Que Sera’ by Aussie dance-pop band Justice Crew – of which Pearce is still an active member

Other Aussies struggled to see him as someone other than John from Justice Crew. 

‘He will forever be Justice Crew in my mind,’ a fan said.

‘I love that he’s now “the Purple Wiggle” but him and Lenny were part of Justice Crew before he was a Wiggle,’ another noted.

‘[John] and his brother sung Justice Crew songs at the Wiggles reunion tour!’ a fan revealed. ‘It was amazing.’

Some were simply happy to hear the beloved band perform live again. 

‘Having so much nostalgia just hearing the songs again after so many years,’ a woman wrote.

‘I wish Justice Crew got together again,’ another added. ‘I remember watching them busking and street dancing in Darling Harbour!’

A fan said: ‘I miss turning on the TV and watching them perform – they were one of my favourites!’

Many were shocked about the Purple Wiggle also being part of Justice Crew – who are best known as winners of the fourth season of Australia’s Got Talent

Now, John famously wears the purple skivvy and promotes his keen interest in health and science as part of the children’s band

Others refused to admit times have changed. 

‘John will forever be Justice Crew for me,’ a woman said. ‘The Purple Wiggle will always be Jeff.’

‘I’m old. I read Purple Wiggle and thought Jeff,’ a fan said.

A third said: ‘I thought we were going to see my boy Jeff, where’s my nostalgia?’

John also appeared in the hit Ninja Warrior series. 

He has become a viral sensation on TikTok where he shares videos about being the Purple Wiggle.