Aussie Paralympic champion Alexa Leary announces shock new career move: 'It's a dream come true'
The two-time Paris gold medallist has swapped the swimming pool for the recording studio, revealing the release of her debut single.
Going by the name Lex Leary, the sports star has dropped the dance track Closer with Sydney-based artist XIRA.
Taking to Instagram to announce the single release, Alexa admitted stepping into the studio was a long-held dream.
'My first ever track 'Closer' with @xirabts is finally out in the world via @etcetcmusic,' she wrote.
From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop.
'This moment is so special to me - it's the start of something I've dreamed about for so long.
'From loving dance music, to learning in the studio between training sessions - shoutout to @wongomusic - to now releasing my first song… this is a dream come true.
Alexa added: 'This song is an absolute baddie and I can't wait for you all to hear it.'
She also revealed in a statement, that music plays a major role in her life.
'Dance music has been and still is a huge part of my recovery,' she said.
'I'm obsessed. It's my soundtrack to happiness and keeps me pushing on. I have a lot of ideas in my head about dance music.
'So when I'm not training or doing OT, I've been creating music with the support of some new friends.'
Alexa fell off her bike in a near-fatal accident in 2021, leaving her with brain damage and several long-term injuries.
More than once, doctors informed her parents, Russ and Belinda, that they should prepare to say goodbye to their daughter.
Searching for answers and hope, Leary's parents turned to a clairvoyant who predicted the swimmer would rise to become a Paralympic gold medallist.
'It is so amazing, when I was in ICU, my dad got a fortune teller. They read I would go to the Paralympics, and now I'm here. Wow, I did it,' Alexa said.
Alexa made headlines in 2024 when she won gold in the 100m freestyle S9 and the mixed 4x100 relay at the Paris Paralympics.
She also won gold in the 100m freestyle S9 and silver in the 50m freestyle S9 at the 2023 World Para Swimming Championships in Manchester.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Guardian
5 hours ago
- The Guardian
‘I knew it would happen for Bruce': David Sancious on walking away from Springsteen's E Street Band
It was a late spring night in 1971 and David Sancious had walked from his home on E Street in Belmar, New Jersey to the Upstage club in Asbury Park. He was 17 and he had been playing piano and guitar with local bands for four years. 'I had walked to the Upstage because I wanted to play,' he says, 'and as I'm coming in I see Garry Tallent, a bass player who I already knew from other gigs.' Tallent was with a fellow New Jersey musician, a 21-year-old guitarist called Bruce Springsteen, 'the local guitar hero', says Sancious, 'very famous locally.' Springsteen told Sancious he was having a jam session and invited him to play. 'I said: 'Absolutely.'' The band played until 5am. As they were walking out of the club, Springsteen told Sancious he was breaking up his current band Steel Mill to form a new one: would he be interested in joining? Sancious said yes. He went on to record with Springsteen on his first three albums, but left the group before Born to Run transformed Springsteen and his bandmates into superstars. As that album approaches its 50th anniversary next month, I have wondered whether Sancious regrets walking away. He was five years old when his family moved into 1105 E Street in Belmar. The previous owners had left their piano in the house. 'The day we moved in, my mum sat down and started playing Chopin and Beethoven,' he says. 'It blew my mind.' Sancious started playing piano and later guitar and was in local bands in his early teens, giving illegal underage performances at local bars. 'The police used to raid these places and card everyone,' he says. 'One night I'm on stage with Bruce and the cops are hanging out at the front door.' The band hatched a plan to get Sancious off stage, sandwiched between Springsteen, saxophonist Clarence Clemons and two others. 'I was in the middle moving slowly, trying not to draw any attention.' Sancious and his bandmates sometimes rehearsed in his mother's garage, but mostly in a surfboard factory owned by an early manager of Springsteen's. 'You don't know enough to be self-conscious because you haven't had that much experience yet,' he says about those early days. Sancious contributed keyboards, piano and delicate jazz textures that enriched the early E Street sound on songs such as New York City Serenade and Incident on 57th Street. 'The thing about Bruce is that musically he was always open to a good idea. If I came up with a certain chord or inversion, he was very open to that.' Around 1974, Sancious and Springsteen were back in Belmar, by Sancious's childhood home. 'We were coming home from somewhere,' he says, 'turning on to E Street from 12th Avenue. There were these white obelisks with the street names painted on them. Bruce saw it and just said, 'E Street … E Street Band.'' How did it feel to have his address inspire this iconic band name? 'Pretty cool – quite an honour.' Sancious worked on Springsteen's debut Greetings from Asbury Park, NJ and its followup The Wild, the Innocent and the E Street Shuffle, and also toured with the band. 'We didn't have private planes back then,' he says. 'We had a station wagon, three of the guys in the front and three in the back. You're doing everything with these people. Eating, laughing, crying with them if something really bad happens. It's a great life.' He was the first Black member of what became the E Street Band – Clemons joined shortly after. 'You are constantly, completely, 100% aware of being Black – full stop – in any situation,' he says. He recalls one incident. 'I was at the beach and there were two guys making threatening gestures and saying inappropriate racial stuff. Clarence comes along and sees what's going on. He sat down right next to me and then Bruce comes walking by. Bruce found a piece of driftwood and he kept hitting it in his hand like he was saying: 'I'm not going to let you hurt our friend.'' Sancious continued playing with Springsteen but during breaks from touring he was working on his own music. When CBS heard his demo they offered him a three-year contract that would launch his solo career. It was an offer he couldn't refuse, and shortly after playing on a song for Springsteen's third album – a little number called Born to Run – Sancious left the E Street Band. How did it feel, I ask, to see Born to Run become a massive hit album, and Springsteen on the covers of Time and Newsweek simultaneously? 'I felt very happy for him, honestly,' he says. 'I knew it was going to happen for him.' How did he know? 'We did shows in Texas in 1974 and the crowd went nuts. We finished the show and the audience wouldn't leave. Bruce used to end the set with a song called For You that he would play by himself on piano and we would go off stage and watch. I remember standing there looking at him and thinking as soon as everybody finds out about this guy he's going to blow up. It's going to go crazy.' In 1975 came the release not only of Born to Run but also Sancious's first solo album Forest of Feelings – a fusion of jazz, rock, funk and classical that suggested he had travelled far from E Street. Of the numerous albums that followed, both solo and with his band Tone, the most successful 'got to No 78 in the Top 100 for one week. But my sense of self as an artist isn't diminished because I didn't sell a million records. That's a narrow definition of success and I don't resonate with that.' In the early 80s, Sancious paused making his own music. 'The phone kept ringing with artists asking me to go on tour,' he says. 'I toured with Peter Gabriel and then Sting and later Eric Clapton and Santana. They have more in common than you might think: none of them had a plan B, they all did it out of a love for music.' Sancious got to play the lead guitar riff to Clapton's Layla as well as the song's final piano coda when he toured with him – 'such a thrill because I love that song and I love his playing'. Sancious didn't return to the studio until 2000; he continues to record and tour today. He always remained in contact with Springsteen – he joined him on stage during the Human Rights Now! tour in 1988, and played on 1992's Human Touch album and 2019's Western Stars. He was part of the live band that backed Springsteen when he performed on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon in November 2022. 'We love each other,' he says. 'We love working together and whenever the situation allows we do it and we get fantastic results to this day.' On the night I speak to Sancious, Springsteen and the E Street Band are on stage in front of 60,000 people in Berlin. It feels appropriate to ask: with hindsight, would he have still walked away? 'There is a whole life I would have missed out on,' he says. 'Working with all these other artists and making my own music. If I had to do it again would I do the same thing? Absolutely. Because I didn't walk away from anything – I walked towards something.'
Daily Mail
6 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Nova star Ryan 'Fitzy' Fitzgerald confronted by fan live on air after the 'hungover' radio host was rude to her at a party: 'Disappointed'
Ryan 'Fitzy' Fitzgerald has been confronted by a fan live on air after he refused to take a photo with her after a party. The fan, named Joanne, called into Nova's Fitzy and Wippa with Kate Ritchie show on Tuesday when the hosts requested stories on celebrity encounters. Joanne said she approached Fitzy after a party and asked for a selfie - only to be rebuffed. 'Oh well I was a fan of his for ages... this tall, handsome man, and we were at a party, and I asked him if I could have a photo, and he said no!' Joanne explained. 'What! Who was it?' Fitzy's co-host Michael 'Wippa' Wipfli asked, to which Joanne replied, 'Your friend, Fitzy!' From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Fitzy was shocked by the confession, replying, 'Give me a break. I'm always accommodating Joanne, are you serious?' 'I'm serious. You were probably a bit hungover at the time as we all were,' Joanne said with a laugh. 'This was ages ago, we were both at the same function place in Terry Hills,' she added. 'When the party finished we were all in the foyer there. But you made up for it in the end.' Fitzy asked: 'How did I make up for it? Because I'm really disappointed in myself!' All's well that ends well, Joanne assured the worried radio star, explaining she later got a selfie with him at another event. 'Because I got a photo with you both when Wippa used to have his running club at Hyde Park!' she said. Ryan became a household name by appearing on Channel 10's Big Brother back in 2004. The 48-year-old recently revealed the surprising amount he was paid to appear on the then controversial reality show. He debunked rumours the cast were raking in the big bucks during his time on the ratings juggernaut. 'A lot of people thought that we got paid a motza when we were on Big Brother. It was $100 a day,' Ryan revealed. While this may seem a pittance, even by 2004 standards, Ryan added that he wasn't perturbed by his paycheck given his lack of expenditures during his reality show stint. 'This is the thing. I was in there for three months and you're not spending that money on anything so it's a long time. It's a good little whack when you get out,' he said. Ryan, who finished fourth on the show's fourth season behind winner Trevor Butler and runners-up Bree Amer and Paul Dyer, said there were some fringe benefits thrown in to soften the blow of his meagre money. 'Back in 2004 when I was on Big Brother, I mean I finished fourth, but I left the show with a Mitsubishi Lancer, a trip to New Caledonia, I think I got a TAG Heuer watch, which I've got somewhere around here,' he said.
The Sun
6 hours ago
- The Sun
New Strictly pro Julian Caillon hit by fakery row before he even appears on BBC series
NEW Strictly pro Julian Caillon has already become embroiled in a fakery row before he even appears on this year's new series. The Australian hunk was one of two dancers named by the BBC One dance show as joining their line-up of pros for 2025. But Julian, who's signed up alongside American Alexis Warr, has revealed he's already been asked to have a phoney bust up with a fellow competitor admitting: "I'll just say and do whatever needs to be done'.' It was during in his former job on Dancing with the Stars, which is the Oz version of Strictly, and dints the idea that he is as "squeaky clean" as British show bosses hoped. The ballroom and Latin American expert said: 'Reality TV is not necessarily what you think. A massive aspect of reality TV is not really real. "I remember in one episode of Dancing With The Stars, one of my celebrities was late to rehearsals and the producers were asking me to go around and pretend that I was frustrated. 'But she had something pop up and stuff happens sometimes and life gets in the way and we get a little bit late. It's not the biggest deal in the world. We just stay back a bit later. "But they made this whole kind of thing out of it. 'I think during my earlier experiences, whatever I was asked to say or do, I just thought 'It's a privilege for me to be here. I need them to like me. "So I'll just say and do whatever needs to be done'.' But Caillon claims he has more confidence to stand up for himself and insist he would no longer fake anything for the cameras. He told the Try With Alex podcast: 'In a way, it teaches you to know what your values are and what you're willing to do and not to do. Shirley Ballas reveals Strictly's new signings and teases line-up is 'off the charts' 'As I got more confident, it made me be confident in my own choices. Now I know I have clear boundaries and lines where I know 'This is what I'm willing to do. If they ask me to say this, I'm just gonna say No'." Julian, who grew up in Australia, began dancing at the age of 10 and has represented his country at international level in both ballroom and Latin styles. He's appeared as a professional on three seasons of Dancing With The Stars Australia and has toured worldwide with Burn The Floor. He also competed on the Australian edition of So You Think You Can Dance. Alongside his dance career, Julian holds a degree in Exercise Physiology from UNSW Sydney and has worked as a personal trainer. In December, he got engaged to his girlfriend Sofia and shared a video of his beachside proposal with followers on Instagram. He said: 'Joining the cast of Strictly really is a dream come true. "I've watched it for years, especially cheering on all the amazing dancers I know and work with who've been part of it. "I can't wait to get stuck in, have some fun, and be part of something special!' The duo join a returning cast of professionals that includes Dianne Buswell, Gorka Marquez, Katya Jones, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, Vito Coppola, Amy Dowden, Nancy Xu, Karen Hauer, Jowita Przystal, Luba Mushtuk, Carlos Gu, Johannes Radebe, Lauren Oakley, Aljaž Škorjanec and Michelle Tsiakkas. Strictly 2025 rumoured line-up Angellica Bell: A familiar face on British television, Angellica is a seasoned TV presenter known for her work on shows like CBBC and The One Show. She's no stranger to reality TV, having recently appeared on Celebrity Big Brother. Paul C. Brunson: The charismatic relationship expert and matchmaker from Married At First Sight UK, Paul is known for his insightful advice and warm personality. Swapping the sofa for the samba, he's tipped to bring a touch of class and intelligence to the competition. Dani Dyer: Rising to fame as the winner of Love Island in 2018, Dani has remained in the public eye with various TV appearances. The daughter of actor Danny Dyer, she's reportedly agreed to take part. Vicky Pattison: A reality TV stalwart who first found fame on Geordie Shore, Vicky has successfully transitioned into a presenter and author. Having supported her friend Pete Wicks on the show last year, it seems she's ready to put on her own dancing shoes. Ashley Cain: Former footballer and reality TV star from Ex on the Beach, Ashley has more recently become known for his incredible charity work and campaigning. Stacey Solomon: Known for her down-to-earth charm and successful BBC shows like Sort Your Life Out, fans are eager to see if she can translate her infectious energy to the ballroom. Georgia Toffolo: Best known as "Toff" from Made in Chelsea and for winning I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! in 2017, Georgia is a seasoned reality TV star. Thomas Skinner: The lively entrepreneur who became a fan favourite on The Apprentice in 2019, Thomas is known for his larger-than-life personality and catchphrase "Bosh!". Despite admitting to no dancing experience, he's reportedly "up for giving it his best shot." Tom Parker Bowles: The renowned food writer and critic, and son of Queen Camilla, is a surprising but intriguing name on the rumour list. A regular on MasterChef, it remains to be seen if his culinary precision translates to ballroom finesse. Sir Mo Farah: The legendary Olympic long-distance runner is considered a national treasure. Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink: The former Premier League football striker, famous for his time at Leeds and Chelsea, is another sporting name being linked. Harry Aikines-Aryeetey: Known as "Nitro" from the BBC's Gladiat o rs reboot and a former Team GB sprinter, Harry has already shown off some moves on the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special. Balvinder Sopal: The talented actress known for her role as Suki Panesar in EastEnders, Balvinder would follow a long line of successful soap stars on Strictly. Jake Brown: The winner of The Traitors series three, Jake's name has emerged as a potential contestant. Stefan Dennis: The actor, 66, has played six-times married Ramsay Street lothario Paul Robinson since the first episode in 1985 and now the soap is coming to an end, his schedule is clear.
