Dean Lewis

Dean Lewis Grant Loaney, known professionally as Dean Lewis, is an Australian singer and songwriter. He is best known for his 2016 single "Waves", which has been certified seven times platinum in Australia, his 2022 single "How Do I Say Goodbye", which achieved worldwide popularity on social media and has been certified Gold or Platinum in ten countries, and his 2018 single "Be Alright", which reached number one in Australia and was certified Platinum within four weeks of release, eventually reaching 11 times platinum in Australia and multi-platinum worldwide, including double platinum in the United States.

Lewis has released three studio albums: A Place We Knew (2019), The Hardest Love (2022), and The Epilogue (2024). In 2025, he was accused of sexual misconduct and his label, Universal Music, parted ways with him.

Esports Lewis competed in esports, representing Australia in Halo2 at the World Cyber Games 2005 in Singapore.

Music career 2016–2017: Career beginnings and Same Kind of Different

Lewis was inspired to pursue music after watching a live Oasis DVD in 2005, and "spent the next five years watching every Oasis video – Noel Gallagher basically taught me how to write songs."

Lewis signed his recording contract with Specific Music in 2014, and a major contract with Island Records and Universal Music Australia in March 2016. Lewis released his debut single "Waves" on 30 September 2016 which peaked at number 12 on the Australian ARIA Charts. The song was featured in a number of American television shows such as Suits, Grey's Anatomy, Valor, Riverdale, All American, Shadowhunters: The Mortal Instruments and Magnum P.I.. The song has since been certified 7× Platinum by ARIA.

Lewis released "Need You Now" in April 2017 and his debut extended play Same Kind of Different on 12 May 2017 which peaked at number 27 on the ARIA Album Charts. Lewis received five ARIA Award nominations at the ARIA Music Awards of 2017. "Lose My Mind" and "Chemicals" were also released as singles from the EP and have been certified Platinum and Gold respectively. becoming his first chart-topper in the country, and has been certified eight times platinum in Australia. Lewis released his debut studio album A Place We Knew on 22 March 2019. Lewis performed "Be Alright" and "Waves" at the 2019 AFL Grand Final. In 2019, Lewis signed with WME for representation in all areas.

Lewis released a single in collaboration with Dutch DJ/producer Martin Garrix on 31 October 2019 called "Used to Love". Regarding the collaboration with Garrix, Lewis explains that "Since my career began, collaborations never felt like something I saw myself pursuing. As a songwriter, who also sings, the entire concept just felt foreign. Until I met Martin. We spent about a week together locked behind closed doors in Amsterdam working on a song, which thought might end up be sung by someone else. But as the track progressed is started to sound a lot like me, but also very Martin. It's a real collaboration with a guy who's now become a great friend". An acoustic version of the song was released in 2020.

2022–present: The Hardest Love and The Epilogue

On 5 March 2021, Lewis released the single "Falling Up". Lewis stated the song is about "being online and focusing on that one negative comment in a sea of good".

On 22 October 2021, Lewis released "Looks Like Me", which was inspired by a personal relationship where an ex was "hanging" with a guy that she said looked like Lewis. This was followed by "Hurtless" on 1 April 2022. On 2 September 2022, he released the single "How Do I Say Goodbye".

In 2024, Lewis opened several shows for AJR on their tour for The Maybe Man (2023). In June 2024, Lewis announced his third studio album The Epilogue, released in October 2024, alongside Australian tour dates.

At the end of 2025, it was confirmed that Lewis and Universal Music had parted ways.

Personal life Misconduct allegations In October 2025, Lewis was the subject of various sexual misconduct allegations on social media. He responded to the allegations on Instagram, admitting wrongdoing but refuting any claims of illegal behaviour. This was paired with an announcement of a hiatus, and a promise to pursue therapy.

In November 2025, his award nominations for the 2025 ARIA Awards for Song of the Year and the 2025 TikTok Awards for Music Artist of the Year were withdrawn.

In late March 2026, Evie Smith, whose October 2025 TikTok video had contributed to the spread of allegations, posted a public apology on TikTok acknowledging that she had made serious claims without properly checking them. In a statement responding to the apology, Lewis said the situation had significantly damaged his reputation, career and personal life, and asked supporters not to direct abuse toward Smith.

Also in March 2026, the Amsterdam District Court dismissed Lewis's application for an injunction against Dutch woman Sanne van Ooijen, finding that because she had not named Lewis in her posts it could not be established that the allegations referred to him; Lewis was ordered to pay her legal costs of €1,707. A spokesperson for Lewis disputed the basis of the ruling. Breakthrough Artist Song of the Year Michael Jones for Dean Lewis "Waves" Best Video John Castle for Dean Lewis "Lose My Mind" Engineer of the Year

Best Male Artist Best Pop Release Song of the Year Jessie Hill and Dean Lewis – "Be Alright" Best Video 2017 National Tour Best Australian Live Act

Album of the Year

Best Male Artist Best Pop Release "7 Minutes" Song of the Year

Song of the Year

"Hurtless" Song of the Year

"How Do I Say Goodbye" Song of the Year

"With You" Song of the Year

APRA Awards The APRA Awards are held in Australia and New Zealand by the Australasian Performing Right Association to recognise songwriting skills, sales and airplay performance by its members annually. Lewis has won seven awards.

Pop Work of the Year Most Played Australian Work

Pop Work of the Year Song of the Year Himself Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year Himself Outstanding International Achievement Award

Most Performed Australian Work of the Year Most Performed Pop Work of the Year

Most Performed Australian Work of the Year Most Performed Dance Work of the Year "Be Alright" Most Performed Australian Work Overseas

"Falling Up" Most Performed Alternative Work

Most Performed Australian Work Most Performed Alternative Work

Most Performed Australian Work Most Performed Pop Work MTV Europe Music Awards The MTV Europe Music Awards is an award presented by Viacom International Media Networks to honour artists and music in pop culture.

Himself

Himself National Live Music Awards The National Live Music Awards (NLMAs) are a broad recognition of Australia's diverse live industry, celebrating the success of the Australian live scene. The awards commenced in 2016.

Himself Best Live Act of the Year – People's Choice Rolling Stone Australia Awards The Rolling Stone Australia Awards are awarded annually in January or February by the Australian edition of Rolling Stone magazine for outstanding contributions to popular culture in the previous year. 2025 Dean Lewis Rolling Stone Global Award