From pop star to competitive swimmer, Cody Simpson announces yet another career move

Cody Simpson has made his latest career announcement, signalling yet another career move from the global pop star turned competitive swimmer.

Cody Simpson is poised to make his Australian musical theatre debut.

The Gold Coast singer, 27, has announced his latest career pivot after retiring from competitive swimming in June, joining the cast of Opera Australia’s new production of the acclaimed Broadway musical Guys & Dolls.

Simpson will play the lead role of Sky Masterson, which was portrayed by Hollywood icon Marlon Brando in the 1955 film adaptation.

Fellow Aussie performers Bobby Fox, Jason Arrow and Annie Aitken make up the cast, with the show to debut at Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour in March.

Cody Simpson is set to make his Australian musical theatre debut in Opera Australia’s Guys & Dolls. Picture: David Caird

While it marks the first time Simpson has performed in a musical in his home country, the musician made his Broadway debut in New York back in 2018, playing the lead role of Dmitry in the Broadway musical Anastasia.

Simpson built a global fanbase upon signing with Atlantic Records after his singing videos were discovered on YouTube in 2009.

He went on to tour with Justin Bieber in 2012, and has since released four studio albums.

Simpson, who was a swimmer in high school, gained further notoriety through his high-profile relationships, including a brief fling with Kylie Jenner in 2011, a two-year relationship with supermodel Gigi Hadid and finally, pop singer Miley Cyrus, whom he dated for a year until their split in August 2020.

Simpson is currently in a relationship with Australian swimmer Emma McKeon, who he began dating in April 2022.

Simpson dated Miley Cyrus for a year. Picture: Instagram

Simpson with his partner, Australian swimmer Emma McKeon. Picture: Hanna Lassen/Getty Images

In 2019, he shifted his focus to competitive swimming, moving back to Australia after living in Los Angeles for a decade.

He came away with a gold and a silver medal for team events at the Commonwealth Games in in Birmingham in 2022, before officially retiring from the sport in June after failing to qualify for the Paris Olympics.

Guys & Dolls, meanwhile, is considered one of the best ever Broadway musicals after making its debut in 1950.

“The role of Sky has always been one of my dream stage roles ever since I was first introduced to the story and the soundtrack of Guys & Dolls. I fell in love with the film as a teenager when I first developed a passion for musical theatre prior to my debut on Broadway,” Simpson said.

“I’m drawn to 1940’s-50’s era, the music, the style, the fashion. I’m heavily inspired by the singers and crooners of the era and am excited to introduce this to the next generation. It’s probably why the Guys & Dolls movie is an all-time favourite and Frank Sinatra in particular, is a major inspiration.”

Originally published as From pop star to competitive swimmer, Cody Simpson announces yet another career move