When Australian Idol’s Dylan Wright lost his mum when he was 21, it made him all the more determined to fill the void by having children of his own – but a personal health crisis almost stopped that dream from becoming a reality.
“I’ve always wanted to be a dad,” Dylan, 31, tells TV WEEK.
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“But I didn’t think it could happen because of some chromosomal issues I have. Now, I get to watch my two girls [Piper, four, and one-year-old Rivi] grow. Every day, I find myself staring at them, asking, ‘How are you possible?’ It’s the best thing in the world.”
The Australian Idol top 10 finalist lost his mother to multiple sclerosis and leukaemia a decade ago. He says it’s been “difficult” to open up about the loss while filming.
“It took me years to work through that part of my life,” he says. “I was her carer from the age of 16. I had to grow up overnight – it was really tough.”
For years, Dylan struggled with how to manage his grief, but now uses music to pull himself out of a dark place when he’s feeling low.
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“With these kinds of shows, everyone calls it a ‘sob story’ [that the contestants have],” Dylan says. “But everyone in life has their own story, and music was my journal, my outlet [to cope].
“To connect with people through music is such a powerful thing. I have goosebumps thinking about it.”
This week on Australian Idol, it’s Judges’ Choice Week, and Dylan will fight to secure a spot in the top eight. With the support of his beautiful family, will he make it through?
