Amazing Grace

Amazing Grace.


Why did Stan Walker win Australian Idol?

Was it his big smile, his personality, his faith, his dance moves? Was it his tragic past, which has led him here? Or was it simply his voice?

Life wasn't always easy for young Stan. A few years ago he was surrounded by violence and gang warfare, but, so he says, God pulled him out of it and helped him find his voice.

It was his newfound voice that helped propel this loveable larrikin into our lounge rooms in 2009. As the weeks went on he gave a little more of himself and allowed us to hear his story.

"Music has always been some sort of an escape for me; somewhere I could kind of refuge myself," he says. "I always turned to music when I needed to. It was my security blanket. If I was feeling down, I'd go to my room and sing myself to sleep."

International crooner Michael Bublé has been quoted as saying "That voice.... it's like God kissed your throat." But Stan is coy about the compliment.

"I don't even know what to say about that - it's a real humbling thing, eh?" he laughs. "I'm just no one really. I just do my thing and try to sing the best that I can. I can't really explain how I feel about it because I get a bit embarrassed. It was really encouraging to hear though."

When you listen to the album Introducing Stan Walker, you can hear a lot of heart and soul is put into his vocals. From the opening top ten hit Black Box to the closing moments of his moving take on the Classic Hymn Amazing Grace it becomes clear that this young man is a worthy recipient of the title of Australian Idol.

Says Stan: "I want people to not just hear the songs I sing, but I want them to feel the heart behind it. It's so much more than a pretty lyric, and a pretty melody, I just want them to feel the soul behind my voice, and get a sense of who I am."

As we sat down and spoke with Stan about his faith, his life and what he wants to see for the youth of Australia, New Zealand and the world, it was easy for us to see that this young man is already emerging as a true role model.

"I really want to represent Polynesian people, Aboriginal people, and other ethnic groups of people who have to deal with the same kind of issues in their communities, but at the very same time I also want to represent all the young Australians who may also be finding things a little more difficult than others," he says.

"It's not about where you're from; it's about who you are. My goal is to show people that through the struggle there is definitely a brighter future on the other side. I'm one of those broken people who've gained everything through my experience, and I want to show everyone that it's possible if you stay true to who you are.

And he has now been called an ambassador for Sony Foundation, a charity that raises money for parts of the community in need. Its current focus is building specialised cancer wards for young people aged 15-30, a cause close to Stan's heart.

"Out of my grandmother's 22 children, 18 have died from cancer," he reveals. "My cousin passed away from cancer last year, he was only 17. It was heartbreaking."

It's clear Stan is committed to seeing people come out of the darkness and into the light so they can live life to the fullest.

"I really believe that talent can take you so far, but it's your character that can take you all the way," he says.


For more on your fave Idol, be sure to read our exclusive full interview with Stan Walker below.