Former Australian Idol winner Kate DeAraugo reveals her 66kg weight loss after gastric sleeve surgery

AUSTRALIAN Idol winner Kate DeAraugo has shared her incredible weight loss story after shedding exactly half her body weight.

Kate DeAraugo is pictured as she appears on the cover of Woman's Day magazine.

AUSSIE singer Kate DeAraugo has shared her incredible weight loss story after shedding exactly half her body weight from when she was at her heaviest.

The former Australian Idol winner posed for the cover of Woman’s Day magazine, showing off her trim new figure, which is the result of gastric sleeve surgery.

The 29-year-old, who has lost a total of 66kgs, told the magazine she cried the first time she saw herself in a bikini. “I’ve never worn a bikini — I’ve bought a few but I’ve never put them on. For most women, it’s an incredibly confronting thing to wear a bikini,” she admitted.

“I burst into tears when I saw the results of Woman’s Day’s shoot. I still can’t believe I was standing on a beach laughing … and also looking good!”

Kate DeAraugo poses in a pale blue two-piece on the cover of Woman's Day. Picture: Woman’s Day

DeAraugo has more than halved her weight from 127kg to 61kg after having the permanent surgical procedure in May 2012, which saw 80 per cent of her stomach removed.

“I’m amazingly happy with how much weight I’ve lost,” the 2005 Idol winner told the mag.

“Everyone said I looked fantastic but I thought people were just saying it to make me feel good.”

The former Jenny Craig ambassador withdrew from the health giant’s endorsement deal in 2008 before starring in Nine’s reality weight loss show Excess Baggage. She also underwent full-body liposuction after finishing up on Idol but failed to keep the weight off.

DeAraugo now weighs a svelte 61kgs.

Kate DeAraugo appeared on Nine’s Excess Baggage.

In September, DeAraugo appeared on the cover of Woman’s Day after having lost 60kg and spoke about why she opted to undergo the radical procedure which now limits her food consumption.

“When I was that big, there were days when I wouldn’t get into the shower because I didn’t want to look at myself,” she said.

“I didn’t go out because I was terrified I’d bump into people who would look at me and see how big I was.”

Singer Kate DeAraugo signed a deal with Jenny Craig but then walked away in 2008.

DeAraugo has opened up in the past about suffering depression and her battle with substance abuse, admitting that she has struggled with her weight since she was 15 years old.

The singer currently works in breakfast radio in Coffs Harbour, NSW and is dating builder Shannon Vick, 29. She is also working on the release of a new album.

Young Divas: Paulini Curuenavuli, Kate DeAraugo, Emily Williams and Ricki-Lee Coulter in 2006.

Originally published as Former Australian Idol winner Kate DeAraugo reveals her 66kg weight loss after gastric sleeve surgery