Aussie star Cody Simpson: From pop to the pool, and love in between

Cody Simpson has dropped a bombshell on his music career while opening up on his relationship with fellow swimmer Emma McKeon.

Cody Simpson says his Olympic dream is still well and truly alive after competing in the World Aquatics Swimming World Cup but makes no secret of his plans to step away from the pool and pick up the guitar after the 2024 Games.

The pop star turned competitive athlete is back on the Gold Coast after the European event, where he scored a podium finish in the 100m butterfly, and is gearing up for the Olympic trials in just eight months.

But the 26-year-old speaks candidly about mental tolls of the sport, saying: “It can be a rollercoaster”.

“You have periods of extreme self-confidence when you’re doing well, but also periods of extreme self-doubt, when you’re not doing well,” he said.

Cody Simpson said he had periods of extreme self-confidence and periods of extreme self-doubt within the sport. Picture: Nigel Hallett

Simpson said the rigorous training and racing can “wear you down pretty hard, physically and emotionally.”

“I think when you’re putting yourself in such a vulnerable position – putting in so much work every day for a year, and then either getting or not getting the result you want. And either improving, or not improving can be tough to sort of deal with,” he said.

“It’s about trying to get comfortable being uncomfortable all the time, you can send yourself into some pretty dark places, so it’s just managing that stress – managing those hills and valleys with a level of maturity and emotional stability. That is the challenge.”

Cody Simpson and Emma McKeon on holidays. Picture: Instagram @emmamckeon

Simpson said the pressure of transitioning from a high-profile music career to swimming predominantly came from within.

“No amount of eyeballs will ever match the amount of pressure I typically put on myself,” he said.

Simpson said he draws much of his strength and resilience from his support system.

“I have some really positive influences in my life,” he said.

“I’m very lucky to have the people that I have in my life, from my family, to my relationship, to my friends, my coach, I have some really positive influences in my life,” he said.

He credits fellow swimming champion Emma McKeon, who he has been dating since July 2022, as one of those major supports.

Emma McKeon and Cody Simpson. Picture: Instagram @emmamckeon

“[She] is incredible, has an incredible work ethic and incredible outlook on what she does,” he said.

He stressed theirs is one of bond of “support” not rivalry – but they don’t shy away from a little friendly competition.

“When I first came back, she used to beat me all the time in training, now I can say that I beat her sometimes,” he said.

“But no, there’s no competition. Just support.”

As he nears the end of a four-year journey, Simpson said how his journey has exceeded his expectations, acknowledging that he is in the final stretch of his Olympic preparation.

“I’m in the final year of a four-year journey and experiment that’s come so much further than I could have bargained for – so we’re in the final stretch,” Simpson said.

Simpson said his optimism, much in line with LG’s ‘Life’s Good’ campaign of which he is an ambassador, that has kept him afloat.

“I absolutely love (the campaign) because it’s all about optimism and bravery and being yourself and conquering your own challenges and setting your own goals and doing it all with the positive outlook, which is sort of my philosophy in life” he said.

Cody Simpson on the Gold Coast. Picture: Nigel Hallett

While swimming remains his primary focus for now, the musician within Simpson hasn’t hung up his guitar, with plans to return to the music scene post-swimming.

“I love playing music and that’s what I plan on doing with my life. For a long time,” he revealed.

Speaking on his past career, Simpson reminisced about life as a pop star, living in LA, touring and chart-topping hits.

“(I miss it) all the time. There’s things about it that I love and can’t wait to do and experience again,” he said.

“And I plan on it (returning), post-swimming. But I’m enjoying what I’m doing now for so many other reasons.”

Cody Simpson and Emma McKeon. Picture: Instagram @emmamckeon

He added that he believes that a future return to music would come with a greater sense of maturity, given his new-found experiences.

“I think when I do go back into music and being in that industry again, I’ll be able to do it with a much greater level of maturity and discipline and I suppose just stability,” he said.

“I think being in that world at 18 versus say 28 or whenever I stop swimming, it’s going to be very different, but I’m excited to do it again.”

Launching his music career as a teenager in Los Angeles in 2010, Cody’s musical journey spanned a decade, resulting in three hit albums and collaborations with the likes of Flo Rida, Ziggy Marley, and Justin Bieber. His personal life saw high-profile relationships with Gigi Hadid and Miley Cyrus.

But for now, his eyes are firmly set on the Paris Olympic Games horizon.

“I just keep training and keep improving and really tunnel in my focus and intent into this last period of to get the best result I can out of it,” he said.

“The beauty of it is the difficulty and the challenge.”