The Wiggles‘ catchy tunes and colourful performances have been the soundtrack to countless childhoods. But for Greg Page, the original Yellow Wiggle, the music masked a silent struggle with loneliness and mental health.
Nearly two decades after leaving the group, Page is finally sharing his story.
In an interview with the Herald Sun on August 5th, Page revealed that during his time with The Wiggles, particularly in the mid-2000s, he grappled with intense feelings of isolation and disconnection.
“I was going through some personal issues back then,” Page confided, referring to the period just before his departure from the group in 2006. “I probably, in a way, helped create my own lonely environment by not dealing with the issues that I had.”
The contrast between his public persona and private struggles was stark.
While on stage, Page was the all-dancing, singing, high-energy children’s act. However, offstage, he would “spend all his time alone in his room, crippled with loneliness.”
Page admitted, “I kept the feelings to myself. I think everybody kind of knew that there was stuff going on and let’s face it, most people have stuff going on in their life, but it’s how you deal with that and how you cope with it that can be the trigger for becoming lonely.”
Page, now 52 and a father of six, faced a perfect storm of personal challenges.
A combination of marital issues and a debilitating health condition – orthostatic intolerance – left him battling fatigue and balance problems.
As The Wiggles’ demanding US tour intensified, Page found himself retreating to his room, using his physical exhaustion as a shield against deeper emotional turmoil.
“I only connected with other members of the group on a ‘superficial’ level,” Page shared, explaining that he felt unable to open up about his problems for fear of being judged. However, he was quick to add that he didn’t blame his bandmates, instead taking responsibility for not making the effort to build deeper connections.
Page’s candid revelations come at a time when loneliness is increasingly recognised as a significant public health concern.
According to the research cited in the Herald Sun article, one in four Australians, and almost half of all young people, experience persistent loneliness. The World Health Organisation has even launched a three-year high-level commission into loneliness, classifying it as the next public health priority.
There’s no doubt The Wiggles’ impact on Australian music and culture has been profound since their formation in 1991. During Page’s tenure, the group rose from local Sydney performers to international superstars, performing over 250 shows a year across Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
Their television shows have been broadcast in over 100 countries, reaching millions of children worldwide.
For more information on Loneliness Awareness Week, visit https://endingloneliness.com.au
For help with emotional difficulties, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or www.lifeline.org.au
For help with depression, contact Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36 or at www.beyondblue.org.au
