Australian music sensation Tones and I ushered in the new year with a spectacular performance in the heart of New York City, presenting a dramatically polished new look to the world.
A Glamorous New Year's Eve Spectacle
The singer, whose real name is Toni Watson, took to the stage in Times Square on 31 December 2025 for a prestigious event to ring in 2026. The 31-year-old artist commanded attention in a stylish leather coat that highlighted her trimmed-down figure. Her glamorous makeup, featuring a dark nude lipstick, lush lashes, and a strong brow, was complemented by gold earrings and her signature long blonde hair pulled into a ponytail.
This appearance marks the latest in a series of bold fashion statements from the star, who has been publicly embracing a more feminine and refined aesthetic following a significant lifestyle overhaul. Her transformation has been a consistent talking point throughout her recent public engagements.
Addressing the Transformation
In August 2024, Tones and I directly addressed the commentary surrounding her physical change in an interview with Cosmopolitan Australia. She expressed frustration with the public's focus on her weight loss, sarcastically noting, "I've lost weight, so apparently that's the biggest thing that's ever happened to me in my life."
She revealed the personal impact of such scrutiny, stating, "Everything is up for discussion. My body shape, my music, my livelihood, my relationship. I wish I could say that I could be someone where that doesn't affect me – but it does." The singer clarified her personal style, asserting, "I'm not a tomboy, I'm a girly girl and I always have been. But I didn't feel comfortable in myself and my body, so I covered myself up."
From Busker to Billion-Stream Superstar
The artist's journey to fame is well-documented. She was discovered busking on a street corner in Byron Bay with a Casio keyboard, after having lived in a van for two years prior to securing a record deal. This humble origin story contrasts sharply with her current global status.
Recently, Tones and I celebrated a monumental career achievement: her breakout hit "Dance Monkey" surpassed a staggering three billion streams on Spotify. This milestone made her the first female artist in the world to reach such a figure on the platform. She commemorated the event on Instagram with a portrait captioned, "The first female in the WORLD." The song, written during her van-living days, is now one of the most successful tracks in Australian pop history.
Her April 2024 surprise duet with music icon Cyndi Lauper at Melbourne's Rod Laver Arena also saw her flaunting her evolving style in a white mini skirt, further cementing her new image. As she steps into 2026, Tones and I continues to redefine her public persona while building on an already legendary career.
