Cody Simpson Explains Why He Walked Away From Music - 𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓢𝓽𝓪𝓽𝓮 24

Cody Simpson is ready to return to music after having “disappeared” for years.

The 28-year-old Australian singer, who first gained fame in 2010 after the release of his debut single “iYiYi,” did the “You look happier” trend, which highlights a positive life change.

“Thanks, I disappeared to grind my ass off for years and achieve my childhood dream of making the Australian swim team,” his comment reads.

The video shared on his social media shows video of him doing pull-ups, training, flexing, competing in swim meets and more.

The caption also reads, “Where did you go.”

Simpson has been out of the music industry for quite some time. In 2019, he switched careers and joined the University of Southern California swim team.

A couple years later, in 2022, he qualified for his first Dolphins team at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games, winning gold and silver medals in the 4x100m freestyle and 4x100m medley heats.

He continued to chase his Olympic swimming dreams but they came to an end when he didn’t qualify for the Paris Olympics.

“I did what I could do, and that’s all you can do. I’ve come a lot further in the last four years than perhaps I could have bargained for,” Cody said in a 2024 post-race interview. “Starting from zero and trying to see how far I could get in half or a third of the time that everybody else has been training, just to do right by that kid in me that gave it up to go and pursue something else, which I had an incredible journey.”

Last year, Simpson reflected on the “hell of a ride” he had pursuing his swimming dreams.

“I had a personal theory and wanted to see if, with sheer grit and determination, it would prove. It did. Thank you swimming — for the memories, the lessons, and the personal exploration and growth I’ll never be able to adequately articulate,” he wrote on Instagram. “Thank you Australia for supporting me every step.”

He also thanked his coaches, support staff, family, loved ones and sponsors.

“And again, to the sport of swimming for saving my life, and making me who I am,” he concluded.

Since then, it appears Simpson has been getting back in the studio. In a March interview with The Project, Simpson shared that he would be returning to music and the stage. At the time, he was stepping into the role of Sky Masterson in the production of “Guys and Dolls” in Australia.

He also shared plans to release an album later this year.

“I spent the month in LA in January, working on new material,” he said. “And I’m going to go back over after this show ends and finish the album. I’m really excited to be, kind of, back and doing this.”

On July 21, Simpson joked about “defrosting” his pop star persona.