Russell Crowe has a surprising link to reality television that highlights how versatile this Australian actor truly is. Known for his passion for The X-Factor, Crowe took his interest beyond that of a casual fan by using his fame in 2023 to help launch the career of Janet Devlin, a singer who first gained attention as a contestant on The X-Factor UK in 2011. Crowe invited Devlin to open for his band The Gentlemen Barbers during their Australian tour, providing her with a significant platform to grow her music career.
Janet Devlin’s Journey from X-Factor Contestant to Touring Musician with Crowe
Devlin first captivated The X-Factor judges with her rendition of Elton John’s classic “Your Song.” In a 2024 interview with Hot Press, Devlin spoke enthusiastically about working alongside Crowe, referring to him as “The original Gladiator.” She praised his genuine love for music, observing,
He started off in music, and there is nothing more contagious than somebody doing what they love.
—Janet Devlin, Singer
Devlin also highlighted Crowe’s remarkable storytelling talent during performances, explaining how he entertained audiences by weaving tales between songs. She summed up Crowe as
just a multi-talented dude and behind the curtain he’s one of the most generous and funny people walking this earth.
—Janet Devlin, Singer
How Ed Sheeran and Social Media Led Crowe to Discover Janet Devlin
The singer’s introduction to Crowe’s circle came thanks to another famous musician, Ed Sheeran. In November 2021, Sheeran posted a video of Devlin covering his hit “Bad Habits,” which caught Crowe’s attention. After sharing the video on his social media, Crowe reached out to Devlin with plans to arrange a performance in Dublin. Although that initial Dublin event did not materialize due to scheduling conflicts, Crowe later invited her to perform in Australia as the opening act for his band’s tour.
This opportunity was a significant boost for Devlin, who had been steadily growing her online presence through covers and original work since 2006. Before her time on The X-Factor as a teenager, she had been building a digital following, which now includes over 600,000 YouTube subscribers, more than 400,000 followers on Facebook, and 161,000 followers on Instagram. Collaborating with Crowe allowed her to reach more fans and increased her ability to advocate for youth mental health awareness—a cause close to her heart following her challenges during and after her time on reality TV.
Janet Devlin’s Personal Struggles and Advocacy After The X-Factor Exposure
Transitioning from childhood into adulthood was difficult for Devlin, who has openly spoken about overcoming eating disorders, alcoholism, and living with bipolar disorder. Now in her 30s and sober, she promotes mental health awareness through her music and public appearances. Reflecting on her X-Factor experience during the Hot Press interview, Devlin described how suddenly being thrust into adulthood in the public eye was overwhelming:
I was only a child, but I was very much treated as an adult, especially online.
—Janet Devlin, Singer
Despite the negative attention she faced online after the show, she expressed no bitterness towards the platform that gave her early exposure. With clear business insight, Devlin acknowledged the advantage the show gave her in building brand recognition:
The amount of money it would take if I was starting out to have that level of brand awareness, it costs millions for people just to know your name.
—Janet Devlin, Singer
Using Fame to Support Mental Health and Empower Youth
Devlin has committed her platform to raising awareness about youth mental health and addiction recovery, citing the lack of role models discussing these topics when she was growing up. She hopes that by sharing her experiences publicly, including struggles with alcoholism and bipolar disorder, others will feel empowered to speak about their own challenges. The tour with Russell Crowe’s band not only promoted her album Everyday Rodeo but enhanced her reach as both an artist and a mental health advocate.
For many, Crowe remains best known for his iconic role as Maximus Decimus Meridius in Ridley Scott’s Gladiator, but through his outreach and support, he has become a real-life champion to artists like Devlin, helping them overcome the hurdles of fame and life’s pressures. This connection between a celebrated actor-musician and a rising star exemplifies how the worlds of film, music, and reality TV can intersect to create meaningful opportunities.
