Former Australian Idol champion Kate DeAraugo has announced her engagement to long-term partner Shan Riseley, sharing the joyous news from the romantic backdrop of Paris.
A Parisian Proposal to Cap a Remarkable Year
The singer revealed the happy development on Thursday, confirming that Riseley popped the question while the couple were on a family holiday in the French capital. DeAraugo, 39, expressed her elation on social media, reflecting on an incredible 2025 and stating it "doesn't get any better." She shared loved-up photos showcasing her new ring with the iconic Eiffel Tower glowing behind them.
In the lead-up to the engagement announcement, DeAraugo had been posting a series of family snaps from their European getaway. The photos featured Riseley and their two young sons, three-year-old Hudson and one-year-old Noah, as the family travelled through Amsterdam and London before arriving in Paris.
From Idol Fame to a Grounded Family Life
Kate DeAraugo first rose to national fame in 2005 after winning the third season of Australian Idol. Her victory launched a successful music career, with her debut single 'Maybe Tonight' and album 'A Place I've Never Been' both achieving platinum sales status.
She later joined the pop supergroup Young Divas alongside fellow Idol alumni Paulini, Emily Williams, Jessica Mauboy, and Ricki-Lee Coulter. The group's debut single 'This Time I Know It's For Real' hit number two on the charts, and their self-titled album went double platinum before the group disbanded in 2008.
DeAraugo met Riseley in 2019 after connecting on a dating app. At the time, she was rebuilding her life following a public battle with body image issues and alcohol addiction. The couple clicked immediately, with DeAraugo previously telling Woman's Day in a 2022 interview that she felt an instant connection. Riseley, in the same interview while DeAraugo was pregnant with their first son, described himself as a "very lucky man" and praised her future parenting skills.
A Celebration of New Beginnings
The engagement marks a significant personal milestone for DeAraugo, who has been open about living "through the highest highs and lowest lows." In October, she celebrated two decades since her Idol win with a comeback tour, honouring the wild times, beautiful moments, and darker periods of her journey.
This Parisian proposal not only concludes a memorable year for the couple but also symbolises a continued chapter of stability and happiness for the singer, who has gracefully transitioned from a reality TV star to a devoted partner and mother of two.
