Darren Hayes says that he joined The Masked Singer because he needed a ‘distraction’ from the breakdown of his marriage.
The pop star, 51, split from his husband Richard Cullen in May, after spending 17 years together as a couple, then filing for divorce in September.
The Courier Mail also claimed that ‘financial pressures’ from releasing his new album, Homosexual, and embarking on a world tour as an independent artist contributed to his decision to compete on the series.
‘I think if you look at that album and what I was singing about, I was making the decision to sort of move on by coming back to music,’ Hayes told the publication.
The former Savage Garden frontman also spoke of how difficult it was to address his divorce from Cullen, especially being so private.
The Masked Singer’s Darren Hayes, 51, says he did The Masked Singer as a distraction from his marriage breakdown to long-time 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 a marriage ending is hard for someone like me who’s a private person,’ he added.
Hayes was the runner-up as ‘Grim Reaper’ behind Eurovision star Dami Im, who appeared on the show as ‘Snow Fox’, before taking home the win.
The Insatiable star finished by saying he didn’t want to tell his mother about his appearance on the show as he signed an non-disclosure agreement.
Hayes separated from his husband in May. (The former couple are pictured in happier times)
The Australian pop star filed for divorce in Los Angeles in September, citing irreconcilable differences, according to a report by TMZ at the time.
It was just months after the former couple announced their separation back in May.
In an emotional Instagram post, Hayes admitted that he’d kept his marriage woes a secret for ‘the past two years’, despite being an ‘open book’ when it comes to his music.
‘After 17 years of marriage to the best person I ever met, Richard and I have chosen to accept that our union has greatly and beautifully come to rest,’ he wrote.
In an emotional Instagram post in May, Hayes admitted that he’d kept his marriage woes a secret for ‘the past two years’, despite being an ‘open book’ when it comes to his music
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‘In honour of this realisation, we separated earlier this year and have been supporting each other emotionally throughout this massive changed in our lives.’
Hayes went on to address the ‘ugly questions’ about what led to his marriage split in order to avoid any hurtful speculation.
‘No, there’s no scandal to report, no infidelity, guilty or third party. It’s just life. We adore each other and always will,’ he said.
‘We view our marriage as our greatest collaboration. Nobody can ever take away what we achieved together. We are still best friends. We always will be,’ he continued.
‘Besides, we have a very cute and needy labradoodle to take care of, and the business of joy to attend to.’
Hayes concluded his post by praising his fans for their loyalty over the years.
Cullen was Hayes’ second spouse, following his first marriage to his childhood sweetheart Colby Taylor in 1994. (Hayes and Taylor are pictured in 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 spouse, following his first marriage to his childhood sweetheart Colby Taylor in 1994.
Taylor, a makeup artist, was married to Hayes when he shot to fame as the frontman of Savage Garden in 1997.
Savage Garden, comprising Hayes and guitarist Daniel Jones, formed in 1993 and produced a slew of No. 1 hits, including Truly Madly Deeply.
The band called it quits in 2001. Hayes continued with a solo career while Jones went on to marry children’s entertainer and former Hi-5 star Kathleen De Leon.
Savage Garden, comprising Darren and guitarist Daniel Jones (right), formed in 1993 and produced a slew of No. 1 hits, like To the Moon and Back and The Animal Song
