Guy Sebastian, the celebrated Malaysian-born Australian singer, has recently shared his reflections on the tumultuous journey surrounding his former manager, Titus Day. Sebastian’s career covers two decades or more. He started it all off with a spectacular victory in the very first season of Australian Idol back in 2003, when he was only 21 years old. Since then, he has released ten studio albums and garnered seven ARIA Music Awards, solidifying his status in the Australian music industry.
An unfortunate turn in Sebastian’s story made this challenge all the more poignant. In 2022, Day was convicted on five counts of misappropriating more than $600,000 from him. The court case brought considerable public attention to the case and eventually resulted in an emotional testimony from Sebastian against his former manager. In 2023, the convictions against Day were quashed on appeal, resulting in a retrial. In July 2025, after an expedited trial, a jury acquitted him on four charges and hung on most of the other allegations.
The Impact of the Court Case
Sebastian shared on the toll that the court case took on him emotionally. He’s been extremely strategic about where he chooses to put his political capital, most notably in social media fights. He knew firsthand how powerful positivity and support could be. His diehard fanbase proved their loyalty by protesting outside his parents’ home during the trial.
“I almost felt this deep shame of where I was directing my energy, and our energy is precious. We only have a certain amount of it,” he stated.
We learned that one of Sebastian’s songs, “Before I Go,” was a key part of keeping him sane and centered while going through this challenging time. He called it a “fight song,” composed during a dark period that he still draws on for inspiration as he seeks to overcome hurdles. The lyrics resonate with his journey:
“Just one more thing before I go / Before the final curtains close / There’s no tellin’ what comes next / But these tired hands will show / You’ll know my name before I go.”
His ability to channel his experiences into music has been a source of strength for him throughout this process.
Support from Fans and Personal Reflection
Sebastian was extremely thankful for the support from his fans in their efforts to clear his name. He shared a touching post from one individual supporter who, when subjected to all this negativity on social media, felt like they were being ignored. This exchange made him pause and consider the culture created by social media platforms and how its use affected his own mental health.
“One of my fans wrote to me, and she said, ‘Guy, I’ve sent you over 100 messages saying I love you and I support you … I’ve never had a response, yet this troll who doesn’t follow you throws shade at you and gets your attention,’” he recalled.
This experience caused Sebastian to re-evaluate where he spends his emotional capital. He for one, emphasized the importance of being surrounded by people that really do care. Surround yourself with people that build you up, not tear you down.
“I think it’s a daily reminder to wake up and think, ‘Am I going to devote my energy to the people who love me? Or am I going to waste it on people who aren’t in my corner?’” he remarked.
Career Resilience and Future Endeavors
Though the ordeal he went through is unimaginable, Sebastian continues to be focused on his art and self-evolution. Career that path has been nothing short of extraordinary since he immigrated to Australia with his family at six-and-a-half years old. What he’s done commercially throughout the years is pretty remarkable. On one hand, he gained fame and credibility outside of music after appearing on TV shows such as The X Factor and The Voice.
In addition to his musical accomplishments, Sebastian represented Australia at Eurovision in 2015, where he finished fifth with the song “Tonight Again.” His ability to connect with audiences has fostered a dedicated fan base that continues to support him through thick and thin.
As he reflects on his journey, Sebastian acknowledges that every experience—good or bad—has contributed to his growth as an artist and individual. He views adversity as an opportunity for personal growth and developing inner strength.
“It’s like a fight song, I guess, that I wrote during a really tough time that I go back to very often,” he stated, highlighting the importance of resilience in his music.
