He Failed The Voice… Then Won An ARIA | Budjerah
From Move Over Mama by Emily Jade O'Keeffe
May 25, 2026 · 52 min · Season 7 · Episode 8
About this episode
Budjerah shares his inspiring journey from a shy church singer to an ARIA Award-winning artist, discussing the challenges and rejections he faced along the way.
In this episode of Move Over Mama , we sit down with Budjerah — ARIA Award-winning Indigenous singer-songwriter — to uncover the real story behind his rise from a shy kid singing in church to one of Australia’s most exciting young artists. 🎤✨ Before the awards, the tours, and sharing stages with artists like Ed Sheeran, Budjerah was just a teenager trying to find confidence, figure himself out, and chase a dream that didn’t always come easy. He opens up about growing up in a musical family, struggling with shyness, getting rejected on The Voice , and how that rejection became the fuel that pushed him even harder toward his goals. We dive into: Growing up in church surrounded by music Being a shy teenager finding confidence through performance Writing his first song for a school assignment Getting rejected on The Voice Being signed to Warner Music at just 17 The importance of mentors like Matt Corby Hard work, resilience, and staying motivated This episode is funny, inspiring, honest, and a powerful reminder that rejection doesn’t mean the end — sometimes it’s the thing that pushes you toward where you’re meant to be. If…
People in this episode
Host: Emily Jade O'Keeffe
Guest: Budjerah
Topics covered
- musical journey
- overcoming rejection
- confidence building
- Indigenous artists
- mentorship
- resilience
Keywords
- Budjerah
- ARIA Award
- The Voice
- music career
- confidence
- rejection
- mentorship
- Indigenous singer-songwriter
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Warner Music
Books & works: ARIA
More episodes of Move Over Mama
- Doctors Said She May Never Perform Again… She Proved Them Wrong | Morgan Joanel · June 9, 2026 · 49 min
- She Was Bullied For Her Skin… Now Millions Follow Her | Karina Irby · May 12, 2026 · 53 min
- From NRL Star to Hollywood Actor | George Burgess · April 29, 2026 · 48 min
- She Hit #1… Then Put Everything On Hold | Micks · April 14, 2026 · 45 min
- She Turned a Family Recipe Into a Global Beauty Brand | Breeze Balm Founder, SAMMY LEO · March 31, 2026 · 46 min
- Building a Beauty Empire | Evette Hess | Founder of Poni Cosmetics & Esmi Skin Minerals · March 17, 2026 · 45 min
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Move Over Mama podcast page.