Guy Sebastian’s smash hit song Choir has been certified platinum – twice! – and earned the former Australian Idol winner two ARIA gongs, but it’s not these high profile awards or industry recognition that Guy is most proud of.
The track has also become an anthem for mental health sufferers and domestic violence victims, who say the song has helped them find the courage to seek help and leave abusive relationships.
“Choir is the song I’ve probably received the most letters and comments about,” Guy, 38, told Now To Love.
“Just so many people writing in saying the song has helped them with mental health battles of their own or celebrating someone they have lost,” he said.
“It was almost an anthem for some women who said ‘It’s helped me find the inner strength to leave my partner’. I’ve had so many stories from women who write in and say ‘I was beaten within an inch of my life, but your song helped me through it’.”
The song’s impact is especially poignant given its origin story. Choir was inspired by Guy’s former band mate Luke Liang, who sadly took his own life last year.
“I lost a band member and a mate to mental health and he was a really special person and an incredibly talented man,” Guy revealed.
Suicide is an issue that has also touched his wife Jules Sebastian, 38, with whom he shares two sons, Hudson and Archer.
“Jules and I also lost her brother to mental health,” Guy revealed.
“It was four days after our wedding. We were in Rome on our honeymoon when we got the phone call.
“I don’t think you ever process fully and you never get over that. It’s really hard. Even the mention of it, Jules is a mess.”
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Jules and Guy Sebastian have both been affected by suicide.
(Instagram)
Guy (right) and his late bandmate Luke Liang, who died by suicide in 2018.
(Instagram)The first version of Choir that Guy wrote was far from uplifting, but in the end he scrapped it and replaced the original with the upbeat, inspiring ballad his fans have come to adore.
“[The song] is something that I wrote out of experiencing those emotions and that grief and wanting to celebrate someone’s life,” Guy said.
“This person was great and yes, we’ve lost that person, we miss you, and we’re doing to use your memory to make sure we’re there and they’re not alone.
“Sometimes we get caught up and forget life is about people.”
READ NEXT: Jules Sebastian spills on her marriage to Guy – and his relationship with Delta Goodrem
Guy and Jules on their wedding day in Sydney in 2008.
(Credit: Getty)
The hot couple at the 2019 ARIA Awards last week.
(Instagram)As well as through his music, Guy runs The Sebastian Foundation with Jules, a charity which helps families affected by issues including domestic violence and ill-health.
The organisation is putting on a fundraising concert called Carols in the Crescent on Saturday December 14 in Sydney’s Parramatta Park.
The concert is free, but in lieu of a ticket price, Guy and Jules are asking attendees for a donation to their charity.
So far The Sebastian Foundation has been able to contribute much-needed funds to domestic violence services, including building a fence around an Indigenous women’s shelter in the Northern Territory, to keep vulnerable members safe from their abusive partners.
One of the Foundation’s goals is to fund a full-time psychologist at a domestic violence facility in Adelaide.
WATCH BELOW: See the film clip for Guy Sebastian’s hit song Choir. Story continues after video.
Experts agree that reducing domestic violence will come about by teaching young boys and men to treat women with respect.
Leading by example and shutting down sexist behaviour is the best way to do that, Guy says.
“I think the easiest way to tackle fatherhood is to lead by example,” Guy said.
“My kids don’t see me raise my voice at my wife. They don’t see me wolf whistle out the car window at bikini-clad women at Maroubra [Beach in Sydney]. It starts with the simple things.
“A lot of people get caught up in the moment and they forget that your kids are listening to everything. But that’s never really been an issue for me. I’m personally not wired that way, especially when it comes to women.”
For more information about the Carols in the Crescent event or to donate to The Sebastian Foundation, visit thesebastianfoundation.org.
If you or someone you know is looking for support, contact 1800 RESPECT or visit 1800respect.org.au
