Tracie Villanueva has had to stop sticking articles of her son on the family fridge because there simply isn’t enough room.
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“Lots of people have said it’s just so nice to see good things in the paper for a change,” she said. “Our world is not always the greatest place … you think, yeah, that is your son doing some good in the world.”
Her son of course is the humble 19 year old from Dapto, Cyrus Villanueva, who was content making people happy by performing on The X Factor week after week until Australia ultimately voted him winner - now he’s ecstatic.
Following the fun of the wrap party with friends, family, crew and previous contestants Tuesday night, Villanueva woke Wednesday to discover he had two songs in the top 10 of the iTunes chart - including his new single “Stone” which had only been released 12 hours before.
“I came in [to the competition] as someone who just likes to sing, and I've come out on other side as a performer,” he said. “Seeing how much everyone enjoys my music, that’s what really seals the deal for me … I've done my job right.”
Sony Music Australia aren’t wasting their time with throwing the teen in the studio, who will fly to Melbourne on Friday to begin recording his album which will be in stores in time for Christmas.
After that he’s not sure what the record giant or Prime7 have in store for him, though he hopes he can perform in as many places as he can bringing smiles to people's faces - even to his fan base in the Philippines.
His mother said there was and is, always music in their household. Though she distinctly remembers a baby Cyrus in nappies crawling to the stereo and rocking side to side every time a Celine Dion record was played. Perhaps that’s where he learnt the high notes.
“He had a plastic Target guitar [as a child] and we always had a piano in the house,” said Mrs Villanueva. “I think there’s still remnants of the sticker on the C note so he’d know where to put his hands.”
With life about to drastically change for the talented singer, his mum will always be there to tell him to “stop and smell the roses”. She knows Cyrus and his older brother Jonathon may make fun of her for constantly using the saying whether it’s before going on holiday or completing the HSC, but she wants to keep them grounded and take everything in.
Mrs Villanueva will have help in that department, admitting Cyrus’ mates who jumped on stage at the end of the finale have also decided it’s their job to keep him in a good head space.
“They’re a great little blanket all around him, and they’ve been around for a long time and almost like sons to us,” she said. “They’ll support him, and look after him as much as they can.”
Cyrus Villanueva’s new album comes out December 9, and will be a mix of original and cover songs.