How Jack Vidgen’s wild Oxford Street lifestyle disguised his secret battle with addiction – as the former child star, 23, admits life in the spotlight ‘hasn’t always been easy’
He soared to fame after winning Australia’s Got Talent in 2011 at the tender age of 14, and has stayed in the celebrity spotlight ever since.
But this week, it was reported that Jack Vidgen has been secretly battling substance abuse, and has received treatment at an exclusive rehab facility in Sydney.
The former child star, 23, is said to have attended the South Pacific Private clinic in Curl Curl for six weeks in August, with a source telling The Daily Telegraph that life in the public eye ‘hasn’t always been easy’.
Hidden struggle: This week, it was reported that Jack Vidgen, now 23, has been secretly battling his demons in a rehab facility to help him with substance abuse
But fans may be forgiven for not knowing about the musician’s demons, as his social media paints a very different picture of his life.
Prior to his rehabilitation stint, Jack’s Instagram page – which has more than 52,000 followers – shows the peroxide-blond star looking positively carefree while spending time with friends from the Oxford Street circuit.
He was often pictured with a glass of wine in one hand and a cigarette in the other, as he paraded around the city partying until the early hours of the morning.
Wild: Fans may be forgiven for not knowing about his hidden struggle, as his social media pages painted a very different picture of the cosmetically enhanced musician’s life
Partying ways: Prior to his rehabilitation stint, Jack’s Instagram page – which has raked up 52,000 followers – showed the peroxide-blond star exhuming happiness as he spent time with friends on the Oxford Street circuit
He went all out at Sydney’s Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras in March, partying in a mini-skirt and hooded crop top as he danced the night away with superstar Sam Smith.
Eight days before the Mardi Gras parade, Jack had attended the Gays Ahoy yacht party with celebrity publicist Roxy Jacenko.
There appeared to be no hint that behind his glistening white smile, Jack was hiding such a heartbreaking battle.
Party time: Jack went all out at Sydney’s Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras back in March, partying in a gorgeous mini-skirt and hooded crop-top combo as he partied the night away with Sam Smith
Star stuck! Jack revealed fellow singer Sam Smith had said hello to him at a busy nightclub
Social butterfly: Eight days before the Mardi Gras parade, Jack had attended the Gays Ahoy yacht party with celebrity publicist Roxy Jacenko
In addition to his partying ways, Jack also posted a string of pictures from various photo shoots he’s taken part in.
A number of them feature Jack billowing smoke from a cigarette with fake blood on his face – including the final picture Jack posted before his stint in the rehab facility.
‘Lipstick or blood?’ he wrote alongside the shot on July 1.
He did not reappear on Instagram until September 18.
Oozing sass: A number of photos feature Jack billowing smoke from a cigarette with fake blood on his face – including the final picture he posted just before his stint in the rehab facility
Moving forward: Jack has recorded a song about the experience, which took place before he began filming the forthcoming season of I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!
Inspiring: Speaking about his stint in rehab, a source told the Daily Telegraph: ‘He has faced numerous setbacks but has shown a determination still to not just come through as an artist but to use his life experience as inspiration for his music.’ Pictured five days ago
Speaking about his stint in rehab, a source told The Daily Telegraph on Wednesday: ‘He has faced numerous setbacks but has shown a determination still to not just come through as an artist but to use his life experience as inspiration for his music.’
Jack has recorded a song about the experience, which took place before he began filming the forthcoming season of I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Jack’s representatives for comment.
Child star: Jack shot to fame after winning Australia’s Got Talent as a baby-faced 14-year-old in 2011, and has maintained a spot in the limelight ever since