Darren Hayes says he joined The Masked Singer because he needed a ‘distraction’ from the breakdown of his marriage.
The pop star, 51, split from husband Richard Cullen in May after spending 17 years together as a couple, and filed for divorce in September.
The courier post also claimed that the “financial pressure” of releasing his new album, Homosexual, and embarking on a world tour as an independent artist contributed to his decision to participate in the series.
“I think if you look at that album and what I sang about, I made the decision to move on by returning to music,” Hayes told the publication.
The former Savage Garden frontman also opened up about how difficult it was to deal with his divorce from Cullen, especially because he was so private.
The Masked Singer star Darren Hayes, 51, says he did The Masked Singer as a distraction from his failed marriage to longtime husband Richard Cullen. (Hayes is pictured on the show)
“Like anything, it’s liberating at first because I think there was a part of me that was asleep for a long time and a part of me that was grieving for a long time, but releasing a statement about ending a marriage is difficult for someone like me who is a private individual,” he added.
Hayes came second as ‘Grim Reaper’ behind Eurovision star Dami Im, who appeared on the show as ‘Snow Fox’, before taking home the win.
The Insatiable star ended by saying that he didn’t want to tell his mother about his appearance on the show because he signed a non-disclosure agreement.
Hayes divorced his husband in May. (The former couple is pictured in happier times)
The Australian pop star filed for divorce in Los Angeles in September, citing irreconcilable differences, according to a report from TMZ at the time.
It was just months after the former couple announced their divorce in May.
In an emotional Instagram post, Hayes admitted that he had kept his marital problems a secret for “the past two years” despite being an “open book” when it came to his music.
“After seventeen years of marriage to the best person I have ever met, Richard and I have chosen to accept that our union has come to rest in a great and beautiful way,” he wrote.
In an emotional Instagram post in May, Hayes admitted that he had kept his marital problems a secret for “the past two years” despite being an “open book” when it came to his music.
“In honor of this realization, we parted ways earlier this year and have supported each other emotionally through this huge change in our lives.”
Hayes went on to answer the “ugly questions” about what led to the breakup of his marriage to avoid any hurtful speculation.
‘No, there is no scandal to report, no infidelity, culprit or third party. It’s just life. We adore each other and we always will,” he said.
‘We consider our marriage to be our greatest collaboration. What we have achieved together, no one can ever take away from us. We are still best friends. We always will,” he continued.
“Plus, we have a very cute and needy labradoodle to care for and keep us occupied with joy.”
Hayes concluded his post by praising his fans for their loyalty over the years.
Cullen was Hayes’ second husband, following his first marriage to his high school sweetheart Colby Taylor in 1994. (Hayes and Taylor are pictured in Universal City, California, in 1998)
The former couple met online in 2004 and had their first date on the steps of Westminster University in London, where Cullen was teaching at the time.
Cullen was Hayes’ second husband, following his first marriage to high school sweetheart Colby Taylor in 1994.
Taylor, a make-up artist, was married to Hayes when he rose to fame as the frontman of Savage Garden in 1997.
Savage Garden, consisting of Hayes and guitarist Daniel Jones, formed in 1993 and produced a string of No. 1 hits, including Truly Madly Deeply.
The band called it quits in 2001. Hayes pursued a solo career, while Jones married children’s entertainer and former Hi-5 star Kathleen De Leon.
Savage Garden, made up of Darren and guitarist Daniel Jones (right), formed in 1993 and produced a string of No. 1 hits, including To the Moon and Back and The Animal Song