The Voice Australia 2019: Gold Coast singer Chriddy Black opens up about his late father’s music legacy

He was runner-up in Usher’s global Search For A Megastar competition in 2017, but now Gold Coast singer Chriddy Black has opened up on the moving reason he ended up auditioning for The Voice Australia.

THE Voice contestant Chriddy Black says he believes he was “put on this earth” to pursue music as part of his late father’s legacy.

The 26-year-old Gold Coaster, who wowed the coaches with his rendition of Calum Scott’s Dancing On My Own on Monday night’s episode, opened up to Confidential about the difficult journey to work through the complicated emotions of losing his father Michael “Blackie” Black, to suicide at the age of four and how it sparked his passion for singing and advocating for men’s mental health issues.

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The Voice contestant Chriddy Black. Pic Mark Cranitch.

“I lived most of my life in anger and resentment towards him … And it’s okay to feel that way but, at some point, you have to let go and move on,” Chriddy said.

“I’m not 100 per cent there yet but I’m closer than I was.

“He loved music and it was definitely something someone in our family had to do and I think that’s why I was put on this earth, I really do.”

Chriddy, who chose to join Guy Sebastian’s team after turning all four chairs during his blind audition, said he wanted to encourage people experiencing a tough time to reach out to others including loved ones and professionals for help.

“When I’m going through something I just talk, generally to my partner or good friends of mine,” he said.

“It’s easier said than done and some people feel they can’t do that and I get that but it does make you feel so much better.

“Reaching out is the first step.”

Chriddy said he was “super close” to his mum Nicky and his stepfather Mikey, who he calls dad.

“They’re so supportive and mum has always been there for me,” he said.

“She lost her husband when we lost our father and she’s just the strongest lady.”

Singer Chriddy Black with Usher in LA for the Search For A Megastar in 2017. Photo: Instagram

In 2017, Chriddy was runner-up in the Search For A Megastar competition, winning $25,000 and a trip to LA to meet Usher and perform in the grand final.

He then shot a Hallenstein Brothers campaign with Riverdale star KJ Apa and Brisbane actor Lincoln Lewis.

Chriddy said, while it boosted his confidence, he struggled with the expectations and pressure that followed.

“I had just come second in the world, which is a huge accomplishment and subconsciously, deep down, it struck a nerve,” he said.

“I was like ‘how come nothing is coming from this?’ I was promised all sorts of things but not much came through.

“It taught me that you can’t rely on anyone but yourself and I don’t want to wait around for that stuff anymore.”

Australian actor Lincoln Lewis, model Matt Harnacke, Riverdale actor KJ Apa and musician Chris Black on set for clothing brand Hallenstein Brothers. Photo: Instagram/ @hallensteinbrothers

Auditioning for The Voice was Chriddy’s way of taking the next step.

“I was just like ‘I’m only getting older and if I don’t take these opportunities, it’s silly — the worst thing that can happen is I don’t turn a chair and I just pull my socks up and move on’,” he said.

Chriddy said that even though he was confident in his ability, stepping on stage, he was crippled by his nerves.

“But I just had to jump in the deep end and do it, so I took a couple of deep breaths and did what I did best,” he said.

“I did not expect four chairs (to turn), I’m pretty lucky, and it was like the weight just lifted off my shoulders, it was very humbling.”

Originally published as The Voice Australia 2019: Gold Coast singer Chriddy Black opens up about his late father’s music legacy