Alfie Arcuri winner of The Voice talks love, family and music

WINNING The Voice Australia has certainly helped Alfie Arcuri gain a new set of admirers, who inundate him with messages and private photos, despite the fact he deleted Grindr more than a year ago.

“Instagram is like the new Grindr, people can send you interesting photos,” he told Star Observer.

“I thought I should go off those things (dating apps), so I could focus on the show and because it does me no good.”

 The 28-year-old qualified architect, took out the latest season of the popular singing contest, only a couple of years after he realised he could hold a note and sing well, despite not coming from a musically inclined family.

“I was 24 when I came out and it was after I came out, I realised I could sing,” he said.

“They were the two things I kept in the closet, being gay and singing. I didn’t really sing until I came out, it gave me confidence and I could express myself.”

Since winning The Voice Australia three weeks ago, Arcuri has been busy in the studio recording his debut album Zenith, which he says is a culmination of important moments in his life.

Zenith comes out on Friday July 29 and will feature covers he sung on the show and some originals including the single, Cruel.

“I’m excited knowing it’s coming out and I’m excited knowing people can buy it,” he said.

“The songs on the album represent different times of my life, it’s a culmination of my life.

“Which is what zenith means, it’s like reaching the highest point where I am now. I liked how they all tied in together.”

Hailing from the historic town of Camden, 65 kms south-west of Sydney, Arcuri unashamedly still lives with his “very Italian” family who are of course, his biggest fans.

“My nonna (grandmother), shows everyone the newspaper clippings from the show,” he said.

“When I told them I was going to audition, my dad said to me, ‘I just put you through five years of architecture school, why are you going on The Voice’.

“But then at my performances I saw him standing up dancing and clapping out of time.”

Arcuri is keen to get involved in community work, he’ll be performing at an upcoming flood relief fundraiser in his hometown, but also wants to get involved with LGBTI organisations.

“I’ve had a lot of nice interactions with people especially teenagers, that are not only struggling with their sexuality and even some kids who are wanting to transition who reach out to me,” he said.

“I try and write back to all of them.”