Johnny's journey from tradie to TV star

Alicia Vrajlal
Updated

When Johnny Ruffo auditioned for The X Factor Australia back in 2011, the then 23-year-old concreter from Western Australia had no idea that six years later he'd be a household name in the Australian entertainment industry, battling the ultimate fight for his life with brain cancer.

He took to the stage at The X Factor auditions with a moving rendition of Jay Sean’s hit Do You Remember, and managed to wow the judges with not only his amazing voice, but his killer dance moves.

“My dream’s to sing and dance in front of the whole world eventually,” he said backstage before his audition.

When Johnny Ruffo auditioned for The X Factor Australia back in 2011, the then 23-year-old concreter from Western Australia had no idea that six years later he'd be a household name in the Australian entertainment industry, battling the ultimate fight for his life with brain cancer. Source: Getty/Instagram
When Johnny Ruffo auditioned for The X Factor Australia back in 2011, the then 23-year-old concreter from Western Australia had no idea that six years later he'd be a household name in the Australian entertainment industry, battling the ultimate fight for his life with brain cancer. Source: Getty/Instagram

“I actually work in construction but that’s sort of a means to an end so I can fund my dream which is music.

“I’d love to win because construction is not something that I want to do. I love music and I just want the whole world to know that.”

And Johnny’s dream came true. While he only placed third in the Channel Seven reality show behind Reece Mastin and Andrew Wishart, he still managed to land a contract with Sony Music Australia soon after.

He took to the stage with a moving rendition of Jay Sean’s hit Do You Remember, and managed to wow the judges with not only his amazing voice, but his killer dance moves. Source: Channel Seven
He took to the stage with a moving rendition of Jay Sean’s hit Do You Remember, and managed to wow the judges with not only his amazing voice, but his killer dance moves. Source: Channel Seven
He was a concreter before auditioning for The X Factor. Source: Channel Seven
He was a concreter before auditioning for The X Factor. Source: Channel Seven
“My dream’s to sing and dance in front of the whole world eventually,” he said backstage before his audition. Source: Channel Seven
“My dream’s to sing and dance in front of the whole world eventually,” he said backstage before his audition. Source: Channel Seven
Johnny nervously waiting for his turn to audition for the reality show that made One Direction famous. Source: Channel Seven
Johnny nervously waiting for his turn to audition for the reality show that made One Direction famous. Source: Channel Seven

With his newfound fame, 2012 became one of the most eventful years in Johnny’s career.

"I really want to show people that I'm here for the long haul and that I want to make a serious mark in the music industry," he said in an interview with the Morning Bulletin that year.

He supported Reece Mastin on his national tour and started working on his debut album in New York.

Johnny finished third on The X Factor Australia, with Reece Mastin (pictured) taking out the winning title. Source: Getty
Johnny finished third on The X Factor Australia, with Reece Mastin (pictured) taking out the winning title. Source: Getty
The singer's family has always been very important to him. Here he is pictured during a visit to his Western Australian home before The X Factor grand final. Source: Channel Seven
The singer's family has always been very important to him. Here he is pictured during a visit to his Western Australian home before The X Factor grand final. Source: Channel Seven
The young reality star sharing an emotional moment with his mother. Source: Channel Seven
The young reality star sharing an emotional moment with his mother. Source: Channel Seven

But having proven he’s got more than just incredible vocal abilities, further showbiz opportunities presented themselves to the young star.

As well as being nominated as a 2012 Cleo Bachelor, he took out the winning title on Dancing With The Stars in that very same year.

Surprised by his own victory, Johnny said at the time: “I said I’d be stoked if we made it to week five, so making the final and taking the mirror ball home is so incredible, I can’t even explain it”.

In 2012 he supported Reece Mastin on his national tour and started working on his debut album in New York. Source: Getty
In 2012 he supported Reece Mastin on his national tour and started working on his debut album in New York. Source: Getty
Johnny in a still from his 2012 music video for hit 'On Top Of The World'. Source: Johnny Ruffo/VEVO
Johnny in a still from his 2012 music video for hit 'On Top Of The World'. Source: Johnny Ruffo/VEVO
The heartthrob was also nominated as a 2012 Cleo Bachelor. Source: Getty
The heartthrob was also nominated as a 2012 Cleo Bachelor. Source: Getty

The following year Johnny made his foray into acting, landing a gig on popular soap Home and Away.

He played bad boy Chris Harrington on the Logie award-winning drama from April 2013 till September 2016.

He then featured in Channel Nine miniseries House Of Bond, which aired in April earlier this year.

Another reality show opportunity presented himself in 2012 - Dancing With The Stars! Source: Channel Seven
Another reality show opportunity presented himself in 2012 - Dancing With The Stars! Source: Channel Seven
With the help of professional dance partner Luda Kroitor, he won the competition. Source: Channel Seven
With the help of professional dance partner Luda Kroitor, he won the competition. Source: Channel Seven
In 2013 Johnny made his foray into acting, landing a gig on popular soap Home and Away. Source: Channel Seven
In 2013 Johnny made his foray into acting, landing a gig on popular soap Home and Away. Source: Channel Seven
He played bad boy Chris Harrington on the Logie award-winning drama from April 2013 till September 2016. Source: Channel Seven
He played bad boy Chris Harrington on the Logie award-winning drama from April 2013 till September 2016. Source: Channel Seven

On Thursday evening Johnny revealed he'd been diagnosed with brain cancer after getting a tumour removed last week.

Taking to Instagram, he wrote: "So I have the news. It was a bit of a shock and i've got an interesting journey ahead and a bit of a battle. I am starting agressive treatment for the next few months to fight the diagnosis of brain cancer.

"Please stay positive for me and ill try to update you guys on my progress," he added.

Johnny pictured with model girlfriend Tahnee Sims.
Johnny pictured with model girlfriend Tahnee Sims.
The star pictured in Sydney in July 2017, just weeks before his brain cancer diagnosis. Source: Getty
The star pictured in Sydney in July 2017, just weeks before his brain cancer diagnosis. Source: Getty

Johnny told Be last week that he had only gone to the doctor because of a migraine when the tumour was discovered.

RELATED: Johnny Ruffo reveals aggressive brain cancer diagnosis
RELATED: Johnny Ruffo's cancer fight: What's next

"On Sunday I went into hospital with a migraine. I had to have emergency surgery to have a brain tumour removed.

"I am on the mend and feeling positive. Keep me in your thoughts," he added.

Johnny pictured in hospital last week after undergoing emergency surgery to remove a brain tumour. Source: Instagram
Johnny pictured in hospital last week after undergoing emergency surgery to remove a brain tumour. Source: Instagram
He went into hospital last week with a migraine. Source: Instagram
He went into hospital last week with a migraine. Source: Instagram

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