Jai Waetford

Jai Waetford was born on January 25, 1999, in Campbelltown, New South Wales, Australia. He was raised by his mother and grandparents, and taught himself to play guitar using online videos. His career began in 2013 when he auditioned for the fifth season of The X Factor Australia. After performing his original song “Don’t Let Me Go” and Jes Hudak’s “Different Worlds,” he advanced through the competition under the mentorship of Ronan Keating. Waetford reached the grand final, placing third overall, which marked a significant turning point in his public profile.

Following his appearance on The X Factor, Waetford signed a recording contract with Sony Music Australia. In late 2013, he released his debut single, “Your Eyes,” which achieved commercial success, peaking at number six on the ARIA Singles Chart and earning a gold certification. His self-titled debut EP followed in December 2013, reaching number 21 on the ARIA Albums Chart. Throughout 2014, he released additional EPs, including “Get to Know You” and “Shy,” and supported Justice Crew on their #HypeTour. In 2016, Waetford expanded his career into acting, joining the Australian soap opera “Neighbours” as Angus Beaumont-Hannay. He continued to release music, including the EP “Heart Miles,” and performed internationally, supporting artists like Little Mix on “The Get Weird Tour” and Selena Gomez on the “Revival Tour.

In 2018, Waetford returned to music with new singles such as “Lost in You,” “Get Over,” and “Friends.” During this period, he also spoke publicly about his mental health experiences and became an ambassador for the Australian Suicide Prevention Foundation’s “You Are Not Alone” campaign. His work demonstrates a progression from a televised singing contestant to an established musician and actor, incorporating personal advocacy into his public life.