The Voice Winner Admits Hitting ‘Rock Bottom’ After Show

The much-celebrated winner of The Voice’s first Australian series, Karise Eden has opened up on the physical and mental breakdown that she suffered just months after the show ended.

The 22-year-old from Gosford in New South Wales recently announced her first album original material, over two years after winning the show. While it has long been known amongst the industry that Eden has been taking time away from music, Eden herself has admitted the struggles she’s faced after shooting to fame on the reality TV show.

Speaking to ABC TV’s Australian Story program, for an episode that will air Monday 13 October at 8pm, Eden said, “It’s been a huge secret. This will probably be the first time I’ve spoken out. Only my close family and friends are aware of truly what happened.”

She said that cancelling a tour four shows in, and subsequently disappearing from public view “was me saying ‘enough is enough.’

“I’ve warned everybody. I’ve been nice, I’ve been sweet, I’ve been assertive, I’ve been aggressive, I’ve been crying to you all, now I’ve hit rock bottom. Shut up and listen to me. I’m falling off, come and get me.”

Eden was re-introduced to media in mid-September at an event hosted by her label Universal in Sydney. Invited guests were not told who they were coming to see until A&R executive Peter Karpin announced her onstage. It also emerged that she was pregnant that night.

Her story is unique to an age where stars are created overnight by reality TV shows. The Voice’s first season was a huge ratings, with millions of viewers watching her journey on the show. The show also dominated the ARIA Singles Chart, with Eden holding down four of the top five spots a week after winning – something no one had done since The Beatles in 1964.

Her album Things I’ve Done will be released Friday 17 October and is lead by the single Dynamite.

“Yeah I definitely feel like I’ve been living under a rock and I’m finally crawling out,” Eden tells the program. “I’m excited. I’m pumped. I’m nervous. I’m ready.”

If you need to talk to someone, visit beyondblue.org.au. It is currently Mental Health Week.