Mining to Music: ‘The Voice’ Winner Reuben De Melo Tours with LeAnn Rimes

Before winning The Voice in 2024, Reuben De Melo was working in construction and mining.

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Now, he’s gearing up for a national tour with Voice coach LeAnn Rimes and readying himself for the release of his new EP.

“I never expected to win,” Reuben told Hope 103.2.

“I wasn’t too familiar with how everything worked.

“I came from construction and mining, so I wasn’t really expecting much. But everything sort of fell into place.”

A self-taught guitarist, Reuben’s musical journey started in 2012, though music had long been a part of his life.

“I played violin growing up but didn’t really sing until later,” Reuben said.

“I came from construction and mining, so I wasn’t really expecting much. But everything sort of fell into place.”

“My dad taught me ‘House of the Rising Sun’ and the rest was history.”

Reuben’s authenticity seems to have struck a chord with his Voice coach, LeAnn Rimes.

“She’s a pretty down-to-earth person,” Reuben said.

“I think what drew her [to me] was that I chose to express myself rather than perform.

“Maybe it was the working-class, family side of me she connected with.”

Getting to know someone like LeAnn behind the scenes helped Reuben see the music industry in a new light.

“I thought it was all smoke and mirrors but meeting her gave me a bit of faith in the industry,” Reuben said.

Getting to know someone like LeAnn behind the scenes helped Reuben see the music industry in a new light.

While the spotlight has its challenges, Reuben says fatherhood keeps him grounded.

“Everyone wants a photo, and I’m not used to that,” Reuben said.

“But I’ve got to put the kids to bed and food on the table.

“To them, I’m just Dad – and that’s an honourable thing to be.”

The second single from Reuben’s upcoming EP, Let’s Work It Out, was born from that reality.

“I used to work shutdowns on the mines, away for weeks at a time,” Reuben said.

Reuben De Melo joins LeAnn Rimes on tour from September 11.

“[My relationship] wasn’t going well.

“We had to decide to keep doing that or try and stay home.

“That song came from reaching our ends,” Reuben said.

Reuben De Melo joins LeAnn Rimes on tour from September 11.

Reuben’s EP releases September 12.

Feature image: Supplied (reubendemelo.com)