Australian Idol star Kate DeAraugo announces she’s five years sober – as she turns over a new leaf after pleading guilty to possession of meth
Kate DeAraugo has marked five years of sobriety.
The 2005 Australian Idol winner, 37, was at an all-time low in 2017 after pleading guilty to possession of ice cream, driving under the influence of drugs and weapons offences.
To avoid conviction, the star was placed on community order and has since made every effort to rehabilitate herself and transform her life.
“I’ve been clean and sober for five years,” she said Shannon Nolls Idol Talking Podcast this week.
“Addiction is a subject that needs to be discussed very openly and I think we are still not very well versed in it in this country.”
Australian Idol 2005 winner Kate DeAraugo, 37, is five years sober and tells Shannon Noll’s Idol Talking podcast that she’s “grateful” to have beaten her demons. (Pictured with partner Shannon Riseley)
Kate said that while she has made many mistakes over the years, she now takes responsibility for her past.
“My life went on a bit of a deserted field trip and I did some things and went to some places I never wanted or didn’t intend to, but it’s exactly where life led me.”
“Coming back after that, really having to turn around and stop and look at yourself and look at your life and take responsibility for your life decisions is probably the hardest and most terrifying thing I’ve ever done,” she added.
The troubled singer fell from grace in 2017 after pleading guilty to possession of crystal meth, but has since struck a new path. (Pictured outside Bendigo Magistrates Court in October 2017, after her arrest)
“My life kind of went on a left field trip and I did some things and went places I never wanted or didn’t intend to, but it’s exactly where life took me,” said Kate. (Pictured on Australian Idol in 2005)
Kate went on to say she was very grateful to have come back from the brink.
“A lot of people aren’t coming back from where I came from, and I’m just really thankful that I [have].’
Kate said coming out of her journey has given her a new perspective on life.
“I always cared so much about what everyone thought and it would kill me if I couldn’t keep everyone happy, or [if] every response on the internet was not positive,” she said.
“I’ve been able to come out after a lot of work and know I’m more than those negative comments… I’m just from a different place now.”
“A lot of people don’t come back from where I came from and I’m just really thankful that I (have),” she added. (Pictured during the 2007 Australian Idol Grand Final)