Lyla Lindsey
Jai Waetford is an Australian singer-songwriter and actor who rose to fame in 2013 after competing in the fifth season of The X Factor Australia. He subsequently signed with Sony Music Australia and released his debut single Your Eyes, which peaked at number six on the ARIA Singles Chart. Waetford has released several EPs, including his self-titled debut EP, which peaked at number 21 on the ARIA Albums Chart, and has toured across Australia, Europe, Indonesia, and Thailand. He joined the cast of the Australian soap opera Neighbours in 2016 and has also appeared in the Stan Original Series Critical Incident. Waetford has gained a significant following on social media, with 379,000 Instagram followers as of 2023.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | 25 January 1999 |
| Place of birth | Campbelltown, New South Wales, Australia |
| Occupation | Singer-songwriter, actor |
| Instruments played | Guitar |
| Musical influences | Justin Bieber, Bruno Mars, Guy Sebastian, Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley, Stevie Wonder |
| Debut single | "Your Eyes" |
| Peak ARIA Singles Chart position | Number 6 |
| Debut EP | Self-titled |
| Peak ARIA Albums Chart position | Number 21 |
| Soap opera debut | Neighbours, as Angus Beaumont-Hannay |
| Current relationship status | Expecting first child with partner Bec Donaghy |
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What You'll Learn
Jai Waetford's music career
Jai Waetford is an Australian pop singer and songwriter who rose to fame in 2013 after appearing on the fifth season of The X Factor Australia, where he finished third. After the show, Waetford signed with Sony Music Australia and released his debut single, "Your Eyes", which peaked at number six on the ARIA Singles Chart. The song sold over 35,000 copies and was certified gold by the Australian Recording Industry Association.
In December 2013, Waetford released his self-titled debut EP, which peaked at number 21 on the ARIA Albums Chart. The following year, he released his second EP, "Get to Know You", which included the single of the same name that peaked at number 32 on the ARIA Singles Chart. Waetford also served as the supporting act for Justice Crew's #HypeTour in April 2014 around Australia.
Waetford's third EP, "Shy", consisted of six covers and one single. He released the single "Living Not Dreaming" in February 2016, followed by the EP "Heart Miles" in June of the same year. In May and June 2016, Waetford toured across Europe, Indonesia, and Thailand to promote his new work, performing both original songs and covers.
In October 2018, Waetford released his first single in a year, titled "Lost in You". He has also released other singles such as "Get Over" and "Friends", the latter of which was co-written by Waetford and James Agnus. Waetford has cited artists such as Justin Bieber, Bruno Mars, Guy Sebastian, and Michael Jackson as his musical influences.
In addition to his music career, Waetford joined the cast of the Australian soap opera Neighbours in 2016, playing the role of Angus Beaumont-Hannay. He has also gained a significant online following, with a dedicated fan base on YouTube, Instagram, and Twitter.
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Waetford's acting career
Jai Waetford's acting career began in 2016 when he joined the cast of the Australian soap opera Neighbours. In the show, Waetford played a troubled teen named Angus Beaumont-Hannay.
In 2017, Waetford announced his intention to relocate to Hollywood to pursue acting. He signed with the US talent company Creative Artists Agency and began auditioning for roles.
Since then, Waetford has starred in the Stan series Critical Incident, a psychological crime thriller inspired by creator Sarah Bassiuoni's experiences working as a lawyer in Western Sydney's juvenile justice system. The series was filmed in multiple locations across Sydney, and Waetford's character was a troubled young man with whom he felt a personal connection.
In addition to his acting career, Waetford has also enjoyed success as a singer and songwriter. He rose to fame as a contestant on the fifth season of The X Factor Australia in 2013, and subsequently signed with Sony Music Australia. He has since released several EPs and singles, including "Your Eyes," which peaked at number six on the ARIA Singles Chart.
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Waetford's early life
Jai Waetford was born on 25 January 1999 in Campbelltown, a suburb in southwestern Sydney, Australia. He was raised by his mother, Alana Dow, and his grandparents, Hannah and Roger Dow, after his father, Creedy Waetford, left when he was young. Despite the separation, Creedy maintained a good relationship with his son.
Waetford attended Campbelltown Performing Arts High School in his hometown but left school in 2014 to pursue his music career full-time. He had been interested in music from a young age and taught himself to play the guitar by watching videos on YouTube. He cites Justin Bieber, Michael Jackson, Bruno Mars, Elvis Presley, Guy Sebastian, and Stevie Wonder as his musical influences.
Prior to entering The X-Factor, Waetford was a student at Campbelltown High School of the Performing Arts. In 2013, at the age of 14, he auditioned for the fifth season of The X-Factor Australia, singing "Different Worlds" by Jes Hudak and an original song titled "Don't Let Me Go." He progressed to the super bootcamp stage of the competition, where he performed "Titanium" by David Guetta and "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" by Taylor Swift. He made it through to the home visits round, where he sang Elvis Presley's "Always on My Mind" and advanced to the live shows. Waetford ultimately placed third in the competition, behind Taylor Henderson and Dami Im.
After The X-Factor, Waetford signed with Sony Music Australia and released his debut single, "Your Eyes," which peaked at number six on the ARIA Singles Chart. His self-titled debut EP was released in December 2013 and peaked at number 21 on the ARIA Albums Chart. He has since released several other EPs and singles, including "Get Over" and "Friends," and has toured internationally. In addition to his music career, Waetford has also ventured into acting, joining the cast of the Australian soap opera Neighbours in 2016 as Angus Beaumont-Hannay.
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The X Factor Australia
Jai Waetford rose to fame in 2013 when he competed in the fifth season of The X Factor Australia. At just 14 years old, he finished in third place, behind runner-up Taylor Henderson and winner Dami Im. During his time on the show, Waetford performed songs such as Train's "Drops of Jupiter" and Keane's "Somewhere Only We Know". He also sang Taylor Swift's "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" during the Super Bootcamp stage of the competition.
Following his success on The X Factor, Waetford signed with Sony Music Australia and released his debut single, "Your Eyes", which peaked at number six on the ARIA Singles Chart. He then released his self-titled debut EP in December 2013, which reached number 21 on the ARIA Albums Chart. In 2014, Waetford served as the supporting act for Justice Crew's #HypeTour in Australia and released his second EP, "Get to Know You". The title track was released as a single and peaked at number 32 on the ARIA Singles Chart.
In addition to his music career, Waetford has also pursued acting. He joined the cast of the Australian soap opera Neighbours in 2016, playing the role of Angus Beaumont-Hannay. He has since appeared in other acting projects, including the Stan Original Series Critical Incident.
Waetford has also been open about his mental health struggles, sharing his experiences in a social media post in 2018. He was subsequently approached by the Australian Suicide Prevention Foundation to become an ambassador for their "You Are Not Alone" campaign.
Jai Waetford's popularity in Australia can be attributed to his success on The X Factor Australia, his music releases, and his acting roles. His talent and openness about his personal struggles have likely contributed to his popularity and allowed his fans to connect with him on a deeper level.
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Waetford's popularity on social media
Jai Waetford is an Australian pop singer-songwriter and guitarist who rose to fame in 2013 after appearing on the fifth season of The X Factor Australia. He subsequently signed with Sony Music Australia and released his debut single "Your Eyes", which peaked at number six on the ARIA Singles Chart.
Waetford has a significant presence on social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. He has accumulated a substantial number of followers across these platforms, with 379,000 followers on Instagram alone, as of January 2025. Waetford's social media accounts serve as a platform to promote his music and interact with his fans. He often shares updates about his personal life, music releases, and performances, fostering a connection with his audience.
Waetford's Instagram account, in particular, has become a popular destination for his fans. He frequently posts photos and videos, offering a glimpse into his life, both professionally and personally. Waetford's Instagram feed includes behind-the-scenes content from his music videos, studio sessions, and live performances, providing followers with exclusive content. Additionally, he shares personal milestones, such as the announcement of his first child with partner Bec Donaghy in 2025, which garnered widespread attention and congratulatory messages from his followers.
Waetford also leverages his social media presence to raise awareness and support for various causes. After sharing his mental health struggles in an honest social media post in August, he was approached by the Australian Suicide Prevention Foundation to become an ambassador for their "You Are Not Alone" campaign. This demonstrates the impact of Waetford's social media reach and his ability to influence and initiate meaningful conversations around important topics.
Furthermore, Waetford's social media accounts showcase his musical influences and collaborations. He has posted covers of songs by artists such as Drake and Justin Bieber, as well as his original music. Waetford's engagement with his followers on social media has contributed to his popularity and allowed him to connect with a global audience beyond his native Australia.
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Frequently asked questions
Jai Waetford is an Australian singer-songwriter. He rose to fame after competing on the fifth season of The X Factor Australia in 2013, where he finished in third place.
Jai Waetford was born on 25 January 1999 and is currently 25 years old.
Jai Waetford's debut single, "Your Eyes", was released in 2013 and peaked at number six on the ARIA Singles Chart. He has since released multiple EPs, including "Get to Know You" and "Shy".
Jai Waetford is also an actor. He joined the cast of the Australian soap opera Neighbours in 2016, playing the role of Angus Beaumont-Hannay. He has also appeared in the Stan Original Series Critical Incident.
Yes, Jai Waetford is popular in Australia. He has a significant fan base in the country, with his debut single "Your Eyes" being a hit in Australia and peaking at number six on the ARIA Singles Chart. He has also toured Australia and opened for Little Mix and Selena Gomez’s Australian tours in 2016. Additionally, he has acted in popular Australian television shows such as Neighbours.
