Warning: This article discusses family violence.
Stan Walker has opened up about his new book Impossible: My Story, which details the "brutal" abuse he suffered as a child and how he and his whānau were able to make amends and move forward together.
"I feel like my family is the impossible made possible," Walker told the hosts of The Project NZ about the title of the book.
"If my family can get through what we've got through as a whānau, then I think anybody can."
The Project presenter Jesse Mulligan thanked Walker for sharing his story, highlighting some of the more shocking content which included a list of things Walker said his father beat him with, and times when a young Walker would study his bruises and wonder how big they would become.
"Some of the stuff is quite brutal," Walker said.
"Where we are now as whānau - we've come so far. Forgiveness is such a big thing for us. Restoration, reconciliation."
The 'Bigger' singer said that who his family are today is a "polar opposite" of how they were before.
"My dad, the most evil person that I've ever known, is now the most incredible father I've ever known," he said.
Walker said that writing the book was therapeutic for him, describing the process as like "going back to school and relearning about myself".
"[There was] stuff that I'd missed that now I can comprehend as an adult, looking back with hindsight like: 'Wow, I wasn't to blame for a lot of that stuff'. I think I still held a lot of the blame."
Host Kanoa Lloyd said she felt the 29-year-old seemed "brighter" having told his story, to which he replied: "100 percent," adding that it had been a relief for him to open up.
"I'm a creative person and I like to express myself even if it's vulnerable, even if it shames me, hurts me," he said.
Walker said he knew that his story would help other people who had gone through the same things.
"This is my opportunity to give back the power and give anybody permission to say: 'That shame ain't gonna rule us and it ain't gonna own us no more. We can actually rise above that and be so much bigger and better and be free'."
Where to find help and support:
- Shine (domestic violence) - 0508 744 633
- Women's Refuge - 0800 733 843 (0800 REFUGE)
- Need to Talk? - Call or text 1737
- What's Up - 0800 WHATS UP (0800 942 8787)
- Lifeline - 0800 543 354 or (09) 5222 999 within Auckland
- Youthline - 0800 376 633, text 234, email talk@youthline.co.nz or online chat
- Samaritans - 0800 726 666
- Depression Helpline - 0800 111 757
- Suicide Crisis Helpline - 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)
- Shakti Community Council - 0800 742 584
