The Voice winner Alyssa Delpopolo opens up about lifelong anxiety struggles

Teenager Alyssa Delpopolo captivated audiences with her powerful vocals, earning her the title of The Voice 2025 winner.

But the 19-year-old from Sydney admitted it hasn’t always been easy to step on stage, with self-doubt and a lack of confidence often threatening her dream of becoming a singer.

Speaking to 7NEWS.com.au after her big win, Delpopolo bravely shared that behind the scenes she had to manage her anxiety — something she has struggled with since childhood.

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“I was a shy kid, I still am,” she said

“I never really thought much of it because it was such a common occurrence. It’s kind of always been with me.

“But being coached by Kate and being on the show has helped me a lot.

“I’ve definitely become more confident and opened up.”

The Voice 2025 winner Alyssa Delpopolo with coach Kate Miller-Heidke. Credit: Seven NetworkThe younger singer thanked Miller-Heidke for helping her through the anxiety. Credit: Seven Network

The youngest of the finalists, Delpopolo was sitting in the audience when coach Kate Miller-Heidke pulled her from the crowd and encouraged her to audition.

Despite discovering her love of singing at the age of two and studying music at university, the rising star confessed performing still makes her anxious

“Kate was a really great coach,” she said. “Mentally, she definitely helped me through a lot.”

Speaking about how her coach chose music legend Celine Dion’s powerhouse ballad It’s All Coming Back To Me for her final performance, Delpopolo admitted she was initially starstruck.

“It was such a big song to do, but the fact she gave me that song means she believed in me, that I could do it, so that was really amazing from Kate,” Delpopolo added.

The young singer also revealed the piece of advice Miller-Heidke shared with her moments before she took to the stage for her winning performance.

Miller-Heidke chose a Celine Dion hit for the 19-year-old singer. Credit: Seven Network

“It was all about calming my nerves,” Delpopolo said.

“She was helping me cope with my anxiety — how I should channel my body, take deep breaths.

“I had a lot of self-doubt throughout this whole competition, so she taught me to believe in myself and be confident.

“It’s taken me a long way.”

After her performance, proud coach Miller-Heidke said to her winning contestant: “To see you in all of your glory. Standing there in all of your power. It’s transcendent.”

The finale also featured a duet between the contestant and her coach, performing Lose You To Love Me by Selena Gomez.

Describing the moment after she was announced as the winner, Delpopolo revealed there were lots of excitement and lots of tears.

Delpopolo revealed there were lots of excitement and lots of tears.  Credit: Seven NetworkThe finale also featured an duet between the contestant and her coach, performing Lose You To Love Me by Selena Gomez.  Credit: Seven Network

“I was crying, my parents were crying, everyone was crying,” she said.

As the newly crowned Voice champion, Delpopolo took home $100,000 cash and an all-inclusive recording development package.

Speaking on Sunrise on Monday, Delpopolo said she plans to use the prize money to launch her music career — she hopes to release new music soon, venturing into the pop and RnB space.

“Amy Winehouse is my number one inspiration — she always will be,” Delpopolo said.

Reflecting on her life before the show, Delpopolo told Sunrise while she’s grateful for her time working at Bunnings, “it’s time to take a step into the new chapter in my life”.

“I think about that girl before the show — she was very shy and had a lot of self-doubt,” Delpopolo told 7NEWS.com.au.

“She’s always going to be there.

“But I feel like this is a new, improved version of me.”

Delpopolo thanked all the people who supported her, acknowledging she couldn’t have done it without the encouragement of fans across Australia.

“They made my dream come true,” she said. “They made this happen for me.”