X-Factor star Isaiah Firebrace charged with domestic violence

An X-Factor Australia winner and DV advocate has fronted court on allegations of domestic violence-related assault, as has his girlfriend.

A winner of X-Factor Australia and domestic violence advocate is trying to have allegations he attacked his girlfriend dealt with on mental health grounds.

Isaiah Firebrace pleaded not guilty at Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday to a single charge of domestic violence-related common assault following an alleged attack on partner Stephanie Mendez.

Police allege Mr Firebrace, from Moama in the NSW Riverina region, assaulted Ms Mendez shortly after 11pm at Pyrmont on Sydney Harbour on August 18, before being arrested just hours later.

NCA Newswire understands the alleged incident took place at the Star Casino.

Isaiah Firebrace pleaded not guilty to a single charge of domestic violence-related common assault.Picture: NCA NewsWire / Christian Gilles

Isaiah Firebrace with then-partner Stephanie Mendez. Picture: Instagram

If found guilty and convicted, Mr Firebrace potentially faces up to two years behind bars.

Ms Mendez also fronted Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday, where she pleaded guilty to a single charge of domestic violence-related common assault relating to the same incident.

The Melbourne woman’s Tik Tok account, where she posts videos of herself modelling fashion items and travel videos featuring Mr Firebrace, has garnered more than 18,000 likes.

She will reappear before the Downing Centre Local Court on October 18 where she will be sentenced following amendments to agreed police facts following her appearance on Wednesday.

Ms Mendez, left, was also charged with domestic violence-related assault. Picture: Facebook

Mr Firebrace rose to prominence after winning the 2016 season of Australian TV music contest X-Factor, before representing Australia at the 2017 Eurovision song contest.

That same year, the 23-year-old joined prominent Australian singers including Kate Ceberano and Troy Cassar-Daley in producing a charity single rendition of Your The Voice.

The single was dedicated to raising awareness of domestic violence, with all profits going to DVConnect, a charity providing crisis response to DV victims and families in Queensland.

Mr Firebrace rose o prominence after winning the 2016 X-Factor competition. Picture: Instagram

More recently, Mr Firebrace appeared on a second TV music contest alongside singer Evie Irie in a bid to again represent Australia at that year’s Eurovision, but ultimately finished in 10th place.

Mr Firebrace has also released a number of songs since his stint on X-Factor, including song Have You Ever in 2023, and has amassed a sizeable Instagram following of more than 54,000.

In a June Instagram post, Mr Firebrace appeared alongside prominent Aboriginal advocate Tony Armstrong in a promotion for Literacy Is Freedom, a charity campaign raising awareness for literacy among First Nation communities.

Mr Firebrace rosewill reappear before the same court on October 4, when a related AVO will also be heard. Picture: Instagram

Appearing before the court on Wednesday, Mr Firebrace’s lawyer said they were be an application to have the charge dealt with under Section 14 of the Mental Health Act.

Under the Act, a person suffering mental illness can avoid a conviction under order of a magistrate, and instead can be released into the community subject to certain conditions made by a magistrate which may include treatment.

Magistrate Jennifer Atkinson told Mr Firebrace’s lawyer the singer would nonetheless need to enter a plea in case the “Section 14 application failed”, with Mr Firebrace pleading not guilty.

Mr Firebrace will reappear before the same court on October 4, when a related AVO will also be heard.

Originally published as X-Factor star Isaiah Firebrace charged with domestic violence