'I was as a young person but it's not me anymore': Australian Idol star Lee Harding reveals he wants to distance himself from his Wasabi days as he prepares to audition for The Voice By Marta Jary For Daily Mail Australia Published: 10:50 BST, 21 May 2019 | Updated: 10:50 BST, 21 May 2019 Viewcomments His hit single Wasabi spent 22 weeks in the ARIA charts after he placed who placed fourth on Australian Idol in 2005. But Lee Harding now wants to distance himself from the pop-punk superstar he once was. Now 35, Lee tells The Sydney Morning Herald that while he accepts Idol is part of his past, he's looking towards the future as he prepares to audition for The Voice. 'I was as a young person but it's not me anymore': Australian Idol star Lee Harding told the Sydney Morning Herald that he wants to distance himself from his Wasabi days as he prepares to audition for The Voice. Pictured in January 2019 'It's part of who I was as a young person but it's not me anymore. It's part of my life and I will never shy away from that,' he said. 'But coming back this time, I've been writing my own things and I'm in a better place for it.' Lee says he has been writing his own material and winning The Voice is a dream, as he'd hope to take his band Bedrock, overseas. New lease: 'Coming back this time, I've been writing my own things and I'm in a better place for it' he said. Pictured on Australian Idol in 2005 My, how you've changed! The former reality sensation has said goodbye to his famous rainbow locks and now sports a head of long brown curls and a scruffy beard. Pictured left in September 2005, right in March 2016 The Melbourne-based singer recently confirmed his upcoming appearance on the talent show, writing on Instagram: 'Auditioned for The Voice this year.. eek.. haha.' Lee was famously eliminated from The Voice after performing a live rendition of Tainted Love by Soft Cell. Despite failing to place in the top three, he went on to enjoy chart success with the release of his debut single Wasabi in 2005. The Melbourne-based singer recently confirmed his upcoming appearance on The Voice, writing on Instagram: 'Auditioned for The Voice this year.. eek.. haha.' Pictured 2018 His debut album What's Wrong with This Picture was released the following year, but it failed to impress critics. The singer was ultimately resulted in Lee being dropped by his recording label Sony BMG. He promptly gave up on his solo recording career and joined rock band Bedrock as the lead singer. Blast from the past! Lee's single Wasabi spent 22 weeks in the ARIA charts after he placed who placed fourth on Australian Idol in 2005. Pictured at the finale of Australian Idol, 2005 Read more: Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site dailymail and under his responsibility