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Aussie star unrecognisable after dramatic transformation

Anthony Callea performs on Australian Idol 2004
Australian Idol's Anthony Callea has shown off an unrecognisable new look. Photo: Getty Images

Any Aussie child of the early 2000s will be intimately acquainted with the personalities of Australian Idol’s golden years.

From Guy Sebastian to Paulini to Jess Mauboy, many a champion has undergone a transformation from the daggy days of reality TV, but one former finalist has taken the cake of late with a jaw-dropping transformation that has left him all but unrecognisable.

Appearing on Today this morning was none other than golden boy Anthony Callea, though you could be forgiven for not immediately picking him out.

Anthony Callea in selfie in car with sunglasses and blonde buzzcut in January 2020
Anthony Callea showed off a blonde buzzcut that has rendered him unrecognisable. Photo: Instagram/anthonycallea
Anthony Callea singing at FFA Cup Final match in 2015
Anthony Callea cut a different figure as recently as 2015. Photo: Getty Images

Spruiking a brand new single, the 2004 Idol runner-up is sporting a bleach-blonde buzzcut these days, matched with an edgy leather and denim look.

It’s a far cry from the dress shirts and suits of yesteryear, a chunky earring finished off the punk look.

A glance through the Prayer singer’s Instagram shows the transformation happened in just the past few days, announced to followers in an Instagram post on Thursday.

“They say blondes have more fun? Well, let’s test that theory out...” Anthony captioned the selfie showing off his radical new ‘do.

Celebrity pals were quick to comment their own disbelief at the very different look.

“Love it x” Patti Newton wrote.

Ricki-Lee Coulter shared a very excited, but unprintable reaction.

Fans also couldn’t help but express their surprise.

“Shut the front door!” one fan wrote.

Hilarious some even compared the singer to another famous face.

“OMG I thought it was that Jack guy (Jack Vidgen) that was on The Voice,” one fan wrote.

“That’s exactly who I think Jack looks like anyway! Now they twinning!” another agreed.

Some fans compared the look to Jack Vidgen's trademark platinum locks. Photo: Instagram/jack.vidgen
Some fans compared the look to Jack Vidgen's trademark platinum locks. Photo: Instagram/jack.vidgen

Anthony announced his Bushfire Benefit Concert hosted at Crown Melbourne earlier this month.

Two shows have been announced for Wednesday, January 29th and Thursday, January 30th, with all proceeds being donated to the Victorian CFA (Country Fire Authority).

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