A Chat With Oscar Winner and Bowen Raised Judah Kelly

Bowen-raised Judah Kelly has made headlines across the nation with his recent Oscar victory as part of the short film The Singers. Speaking to Judah over the phone, you would never have guessed he had won both an Oscar and the sixth season of The Voice. In conversation, he displayed a deep humility and genuine gratitude for how far he has come.

Long before The Voice auditions and Oscar red carpets, Judah began his singing journey performing around Bowen after moving there in 2006.

“We met a local musician called Ahi. He sold my parents a PA system and got them set up with a karaoke business,” Judah said.

At just 10 years of age, Judah began singing in and around Bowen, with the old Denison Hotel becoming a key performing spot.

“I would sing until 10pm and then I’d have a taxi waiting to take me home every night. That’s really how I started gigging.”

After getting his P-plates, Judah set out to perform in as many locations across Queensland as possible.

“The first year I had my P-plates, I did 90,000km. I played pretty much wherever anyone would pay me.”

Following his studies and a move to Brisbane, Judah auditioned for The X Factor, though success did not come straight away.

“I did X Factor twice and thought TV was not for me. One day I was playing at a festival out in Birdsville and I knew some friends on the lineup. Their drummer said to me ‘If I could get you on The Voice, would you go on?’ It turned out her partner was a scout for the show.”

A chance encounter led to the opportunity of a lifetime, though last-minute doubts almost saw Judah walk away.

“You know it was just a major hassle at the time. The day before I made an excuse and got out of it. A year later they followed up again and I thought – hey, if they’re putting in this much effort I may as well give it a go. I went in thinking I wouldn’t make it very far… Then I just kept getting through round after round. Then I made it to the top 12. I thought – it’s been a good run, I’ll probably be the first eliminated – and then it just never happened.”

Despite his doubts, Judah went on to win the sixth season of The Voice Australia in 2017, earning the title ‘King Judah’.

The win launched a successful music career, with the release of his debut single Count on Me shortly after.

Now, he has added another major milestone to his career, taking home an Oscar for his role in The Singers.

“It’s like winning the lottery by accident. I’m not an actor, I’d never even thought about it.”

During the experience, Judah met a number of stars, including musical hero Buddy Guy. He also crossed paths with acclaimed actors Joel Edgerton and Anya Taylor-Joy, while spotting superstars Michael B. Jordan and Timothée Chalamet from afar.

With such achievements comes perspective, and Judah shared an important message for aspiring artists.

“If you’re presented an opportunity – follow it. I had a teacher one day tell me I needed to be quiet because I wasn’t going to achieve anything. I’m just lucky I have parents who would never let me believe it. I do wonder how many people don’t have that. How many people are put off by bad advice or doubt?”

Judah is currently touring with a Motown tribute show, The Big Chillout, and shows no signs of slowing down.

He has undoubtedly made the Bowen community incredibly proud.

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