Celebrity Apprentice star Anthony Callea's hair transformation over the years

Gillian Wolski
·Lifestyle & Entertainment Producer
·5-min read

Since he rose to fame as runner-up on Australian Idol in 2004, singer Anthony Callea has shown just how multi-talented he is.

He holds the record for the fastest-selling Aussie single for 'The Prayer', performed for Her Majesty the Queen, starred in several stage musicals, and endured weeks in the jungle on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!.

Anthony Callea takes a selfie at a hairdressers after having his hair bleached blonde
Anthony Callea has transformed his hair many times since he rose to fame on Australian Idol in 2004. Photo: Instagram/anthonycallea.

His latest reality TV foray sees him join an all-star cast on the upcoming season of Channel Nine's revamped Celebrity Apprentice Australia which hits screens on Sunday, May 23.

Not only has the Melbourne-born entertainer worn many hats, he's rocked just as many different hairstyles.

Here, we've taken a trip down memory lane to document Anthony's hair transformations, from his early years right up until today.

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Baby Callea

In this sweet throwback snap he shared on Instagram in 2019, a young and super cute Anthony is sporting a thick head of hair with a classic late-'80s side-swept fringe.

A black and white photo of Anthony Callea as a young boy
Anthony was cute as a button with a thick head of hair as a youngster. Photo: Instagram/anthonycallea.

2004

He embraced the mid-2000s trend for short back and sides and seriously spiky strands on top — no doubt thanks to a fair bit of hair gel.

Singer and winner of the second Australian Idol Casey Donovan and runner-up Anthony Callea attend the press conference at the Opera House November 21, 2004 in Sydney, Australia
He was seriously spiky on top back in 2004 with Australian Idol winner Casey Donovan. Photo: Getty Images.

2005

For his Carols By Candlelight performance in 2005, Anthony upped the tousled factor on top with this perfectly disheveled 'do.

Australian Idol's Anthony Callea performs at the 2005 Carols by Candlelight on December 24, 2005 in Melbourne, Australia
He went for a touseled look at the 2005 Carols by Candlelight. Photo: Getty Images.

2006

Anthony kept it sleek and formal to sing for the Queen and Prince Philip during their royal trip down under in 2006.

Singer Anthony Callea performs in front of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II during the Commonwealth Day Service at St Andrew's Cathedral on March 13, 2006 in Sydney, Australia
Anthony kept his 'do neat and tidy to perform for Queen Elizabeth II at St Andrew's Cathedral on March 13, 2006. Photo: Getty Images.

2007

Anthony walked the Logies red carpet in 2007 with a freshly-shorn scalp.

Singer Anthony Callea arrives at the 2007 TV Week Logie Awards at the Crown Casino on May 6, 2007 in Melbourne, Australia
He rocked a buzzcut at the 2007 TV Week Logie Awards. Photo: Getty Images.

2014

He went for major volume with a sculpted quiff at an event with his husband, Tim Campbell, in 2014.

Anthony Callea and Tim Campbell attend Magic Millions Race Day on January 11, 2014 in Gold Coast, Australia
Anthony and his husband Tim Campbell at a race day event in 2014. Photo: Getty Images.

2016

During his stint in the jungle on I'm A Celebrity in 2016, Anthony's locks showed a hint of a natural curl.

Anthony Callea on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! Australia in 2016
Anthony left his locks natural on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! in 2016. Photo: Channel 10.

2017

At the 2017 ARIAs, Anthony's hair game was as flawless as ever.

Anthony Callea arrives for the 31st Annual ARIA Awards 2017 at The Star on November 28, 2017 in Sydney, Australia
It was short on the sides and a quiff on top at the ARIAs in 2017. Photo: Getty Images.

2019

He took it back to his roots — quite literally — with a close crop to belt out the national anthem at the 2019 Melbourne Cup.

Anthony Callea sings the national anthem before race 7 the Lexus Melbourne Cup during 2019 Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington Racecourse on November 05, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia.
Anthony had a freshly cropped head to sing the national anthem at the Melbourne Cup in 2019. Photo: Getty Images.

2019

Anthony embraced his inner Aussie with a mullet and frosted tips but fear not, it was just a wig.

Anthony Callea taking a mirror selfie while wearing a mullet wig
Thankfully, his mullet was just a wig in 2019. Photo: Instagram/anthonycallea.

2020

Anthony kept it short with the merest hint of a fringe for a summer tennis event in 2020.

Anthony Callea attends the Crown IMG Tennis Party on January 19, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia
He was cool for the summer at a tennis event in January 2020. Photo: Getty Images.

2020

"They say blondes have more fun? Well, let's test that theory out..." he captioned this snap on Instagram in late January 2020.

Anthony Callea wearing a black singlet top and bleached blonde hair
Anthony tested out life as a bottle blonde. Photo: Instagram/anthonycallea.

2020

By late 2020, Anthony was embracing a darker hue as his bleach blonde dye job faded out.

Anthony Callea takes a selfie with a cocktail
Anthony's hair twinned with his aperol spritz. Photo: Instagram/anthonycallea.

2021

For lunch with reporter Jo Hill, Anthony was back to brunette but with a twist on his trademark quiff, which he wore swept down over her forehead.

Anthony Callea hugs Jo Hill at a restaurant in Melbourne. Photo: Instagram/anthonycallea.
Anthony put a twist on his trademark quiff for lunch with Nine News' Jo Hill. Photo: Instagram/anthonycallea.

When does Celebrity Apprentice start?

Celebrity Apprentice Australia will officially hit our TV screens on Sunday May 23, and is promising to be a 'drama-filled' and 'record-breaking' season of the popular series.

British billionaire and business magnate CEO Lord Alan Sugar has been the star of the show in the UK for 15 seasons, before joining the Channel Nine edition in 2021.

Under the watchful eye of advisors Boost Juice pioneer and investor Janine Allis, and fashion designer and entrepreneur Lorna Jane Clarkson, 14 celebs with compete to become the next Celebrity Apprentice.

They will use every trick in the book as they each fight to raise money for a charity close to their heart, with the winner of the series earning a further $100,000 in prize money.

The 14 stars competing on Celebrity Apprentice Australia in 2021 are:

  • ARIA Award-winning pop duo, The Veronicas – Lisa and Jess Origliasso

  • English comedian and actor, Ross Noble

  • Judge on The Block, interior designer and writer, Shaynna Blaze

  • Winner of Australian Survivor: All-Stars and model, David Genat

  • Star of Married at First Sight, Martha Kalifatidis

  • Writer, comedian, and star of Here Come the Habibs, Rob Shehadie

  • Fashion designer and artist, Camilla Franks

  • ARIA Award-winning artist, Anthony Callea

  • Professional surfer, Alex Hayes

  • Celebrity personal trainer, author and former The Biggest Loser star, Michelle Bridges

  • One half of Nova FM’s Fitzy & Wippa radio show, Michael ‘Wippa’ Wipfli

  • Australian Ninja Warrior star and Olympic gymnast, Olivia Vivian

  • Three-time AFL champion with Hawthorn, Josh Gibson

  • Former Miss Universe Australia and 9News Perth weather presenter, Scherri-Lee Biggs

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