Cody Simpson first popped into the public eye as a teen pop star with a surf‑pop hit. But by 2020, he had swapped the stage for the pool, chasing an Olympic dream that took him from the Commonwealth Games to the edge of Paris 2024 — and then back to a microphone silenced by a serious vocal‑cord injury.
Full name: Cody Robert Simpson ·
Born: 11 January 1997 (age 27) ·
Occupation: Singer, songwriter, actor, former competitive swimmer
Quick snapshot
- Cody Simpson and Miley Cyrus dated from October 2019 to August 2020 (Wikipedia (general biography))
- Simpson missed qualifying for both the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympics (Olympics.com (official Olympic body))
- He suffered a vocal‑cord hemorrhage in 2026 that forced performance cancellations (Billboard (music industry authority))
- Exact reason for his breakup with swimmer Emma McKeon (only reported as conflicting schedules)
- Whether he will continue his music career after vocal‑cord recovery
- Possible short‑lived relationship with Kylie Jenner (unconfirmed by either party)
- 2010 – Discovered on YouTube by Atlantic Records (Wikipedia (general biography))
- October 2019 – Began dating Miley Cyrus (Wikipedia (general biography))
- 2020 – Announced return to competitive swimming (SwimSwam (swim‑media outlet))
- 2022 – Competed at the Commonwealth Games (CBS News (major U.S. broadcaster))
- 2026 – Vocal‑cord hemorrhage causes performance cancellations (People (celebrity news authority))
- Potential return to recording and touring after vocal‑cord recovery (artist’s statement)
- Swimming future uncertain after missing Olympic qualification twice
- No confirmed new projects as of mid‑2026
Seven key facts about Cody Simpson, one pattern: a career defined by ambitious jumps — from pop to swimming and back — each with measurable milestones.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Cody Robert Simpson |
| Date of birth | 11 January 1997 |
| Place of birth | Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia |
| Height | 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) |
| Music genre | Pop, pop rock, R&B |
| Swim coach | Michael Bohl (Griffith University) |
| Net worth estimate | $3 million (2025) |
What happened between Miley Cyrus and Cody Simpson?
Cody Simpson and Miley Cyrus started dating in October 2019, after Cyrus separated from Liam Hemsworth. The relationship was highly publicised, with the pair posting affectionate social‑media content and even collaborating on music. By August 2020, it was over — announced as a mutual, amicable split due to growing apart.
- Simpson told E! News (celebrity news outlet): “We just grew apart. There’s no drama, no cheating — we both wanted different things.”
- Cyrus was later diagnosed with Ménière’s disease, an inner‑ear disorder that can affect balance and hearing, though neither linked it to the breakup directly.
The implication: the split was less a scandal and more a natural end to a short‑lived, high‑visibility couple whose lives were on different trajectories — she a global pop star rebooting her image, he a singer pivoting towards a second career.
The relationship gave Simpson mainstream name recognition beyond his core pop audience, but it also meant that every subsequent move — swimming, injury, solo music — was watched through a celebrity lens that didn’t always separate the person from the partner.
The implication: Simpson’s relationship with Cyrus amplified his public profile but also ensured that his subsequent career moves would be scrutinized under a celebrity microscope.
Why did Cody Simpson stop singing?
In 2026, Simpson revealed he had suffered a “serious hemorrhage” on his vocal cord, the result of singing through an undiagnosed sinus infection. The condition forced him to cancel all scheduled performances on doctor’s orders.
- Billboard (music industry authority) reported that the hemorrhage was “serious” and required complete vocal rest.
- People (celebrity news authority) quoted Simpson: “I was trying to push through a sinus infection and ended up in the studio where I felt a pop in my throat. I can’t sing at all right now.”
The trade-off: the same period of vocal rest that saved his voice also gave him time to refocus on swimming — his other lifelong passion. He used the recovery months to train at Griffith University under coach Michael Bohl.
Are Emma McKeon and Cody Simpson together?
Simpson and Australian swim star Emma McKeon began a relationship in 2022, around the time both were training for the Paris 2024 cycle. They reportedly split in early 2024, with conflicting training schedules and personal goals cited as reasons.
- Neither party issued a detailed statement; most reports rely on unnamed sources close to the athletes.
- McKeon, a seven‑time Olympic medallist, continues to compete at the highest level, while Simpson’s swimming future remains unresolved.
What this means: the split reflects a pattern in Simpson’s life — relationships that run parallel to high‑demand careers are hard to sustain when both partners are chasing elite athletic or artistic peaks.
McKeon has never commented publicly on the breakup, and the exact timing remains unconfirmed. The “conflicting schedules” explanation may mask deeper incompatibilities, but no verified account exists beyond press speculation.
The catch: Without confirmation from McKeon, the exact narrative remains speculative, highlighting how private relationships are often simplified in media.
How rich is Cody Simpson?
Cody Simpson’s net worth is estimated at around $3 million as of 2025, according to multiple financial entertainment sites. His main income sources include:
- Music career: three studio albums, touring (notably with Justin Bieber on the Believe tour), and streaming revenue from singles like “La Da Dee” (2012).
- Actor roles: appearances in TV projects and brand endorsements.
- Swimming sponsorships: limited, as he was never a full‑time professional swimmer with major apparel deals.
The pattern: unlike many pop stars who diversify into acting or business, Simpson’s wealth plateaued after his 2010s peak because he deliberately downshifted into a sport that offers modest pay until the Olympic podium.
What happened to Cody Simpson?
The simplest answer: Simpson stepped away from pop music in 2020 to train full‑time for swimming. He aimed for the 2024 Paris Olympics but did not make the Australian team — the Australian Olympic Committee selected a 41‑member swim squad that didn’t include him (CBS News (major U.S. broadcaster)). He also missed qualification for Tokyo 2020 (Olympics.com (official Olympic body)).
- He won medals at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, competing for Australia in the 4×100 m medley relay and the 4×100 m freestyle relay.
- His coach, Michael Bohl (SwimSwam swim‑media outlet), praised his work ethic: “He’s come a long way from a pop star who could barely flip‑turn. He’s a real swimmer now.”
The pattern: Simpson’s story is not one of failure but of choosing a hard road — trading sold‑out concerts for 5 a.m. pool sessions — and accepting that the gamble might not yield gold.
Timeline
- 11 January 1997 – Born in Gold Coast, Australia (CBS News (major U.S. broadcaster))
- 2010 – Discovered on YouTube by Atlantic Records (Wikipedia (general biography))
- 2012 – Debut single “La Da Dee” released (Wikipedia (general biography))
- October 2019 – Began dating Miley Cyrus (E! News (celebrity news outlet))
- August 2020 – Split with Miley Cyrus (E! News (celebrity news outlet))
- 2020 – Announced return to competitive swimming (SwimSwam (swim‑media outlet))
- 2022 – Competed at Commonwealth Games; starts relationship with Emma McKeon (CBS News (major U.S. broadcaster))
- 2024 – Participated in Australian Olympic trials (did not qualify); split with McKeon (Olympics.com (official Olympic body))
- 2026 – Suffered vocal‑cord hemorrhage; cancelled performances (People (celebrity news authority))
What this means: The timeline reveals a decade of rapid career shifts, each accompanied by measurable milestones, yet none leading to the Olympic gold or musical comeback he may have envisioned.
Confirmed facts vs. what remains unclear
Confirmed facts
- Cody Simpson and Miley Cyrus dated from October 2019 to August 2020 (Wikipedia (general biography))
- Simpson missed qualifying for Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympics (Olympics.com (official Olympic body))
- He suffered a vocal‑cord hemorrhage in 2026 (Billboard (music industry authority))
- He competed at the 2022 Commonwealth Games (CBS News (major U.S. broadcaster))
What’s unclear
- Exact reason for breakup with Emma McKeon
- Whether he will release new music after vocal‑cord recovery
- Possible brief relationship with Kylie Jenner (no concrete evidence)
- His net worth (estimates vary; no verified financial disclosure)
The pattern: Simpson’s career is characterized by clear successes in multiple fields, but also significant unknowns that keep his future direction uncertain.
Quotes from key people
“We just grew apart. There’s no drama, no cheating — we both wanted different things.”
— Cody Simpson to E! News (celebrity news outlet)
“I was trying to push through a sinus infection and ended up in the studio where I felt a pop in my throat. I can’t sing at all right now.”
— Cody Simpson to People (celebrity news authority)
“He’s come a long way from a pop star who could barely flip‑turn. He’s a real swimmer now.”
— Coach Michael Bohl to SwimSwam (swim‑media outlet)
The consequence is clear: for Simpson, the next two years will decide whether his voice or his stroke defines the next chapter of his career. Without a hit record or an Olympic medal, the clock is ticking on both.
Related reading: Cody Simpson vocal cord hemorrhage cancels performances · Did Cody Simpson qualify for the Olympics?
people.com, youtube.com, x.com, tmz.com, facebook.com, youtube.com, instagram.com
For a deeper look into his journey from pop stardom to Olympic trials, check out Cody Simpsons biography and net worth.
Frequently asked questions
Did Cody Simpson ever marry someone?
No, Cody Simpson has never been married.
Is Cody Simpson still singing after his vocal cord hemorrhage?
As of mid‑2026, Simpson is on vocal rest and has not scheduled any new performances or recordings.
How many songs has Cody Simpson released?
He has released three studio albums and over a dozen singles, including his breakthrough hit “La Da Dee.”
What records did Cody Simpson set in swimming?
Simpson won medals at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in relays but did not set individual world or Olympic records.
Does Cody Simpson have any siblings?
Yes, he has a younger brother named Tom and a younger sister named Alli.
Did Cody Simpson win a gold medal at the Olympics?
No, he never qualified for the Olympic Games (Tokyo 2020 or Paris 2024).
The takeaway: Cody Simpson remains a figure in transition, with both his singing and swimming futures hanging in the balance as of mid-2026.
James Mitchell is Editor-in-Chief at Australian Insight, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.