How old is Tones and I? Singer’s real age and X Factor past revealed

Tones and I (real name Toni Watson) has topped the charts around the world with her single, Dance Monkey, just a year after she was busking on the streets of Byron Bay.

And following the singer’s triumph at the ARIA Awards, artist Krishool – who recorded a duet with Tones in 2013 – has offered a rare insight into her rise to fame.

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia on Tuesday, Melbourne-based Krishool was also able to resolve the ongoing mystery surrounding how old Tones actually is. 

Mystery solved! Australian artist Tones and I (pictured at the ARIAs) is 26 years old, according to a friend. It was previously reported that she was as young as 19, but this was incorrect

‘She was like 19 or 20 when I met her in 2013, so I think she’s 26 now,’ said Krishool, putting an end to speculation that Tones is still a teenager.

Over the past few months, there have been conflicting reports about Tones’ real age, with fans and media outlets wrongly claiming she is 19.

Until recently, her Wikipedia page – which anybody can edit – stated her age as 19.   

Revealed: Krishool (left), who recorded a duet with Tones (right) in 2013 when she was known simply as Toni Watson, told Daily Mail Australia she ‘was like 19 or 20’ back then

However, this was updated to reflect her correct age – 26 – several days ago after news websites reported on the matter.

While Tones and I has not yet commented, her manager told Daily Mail Australia last week that she ‘enjoyed people guessing’ and thought it was ‘funny’.

Despite reports that Tones began her career as a busker in Byron Bay only recently, Krishool said she had been working towards her dream for much longer. 

Confusion: Until recently, her Wikipedia page – which anybody can edit – stated her age as 19

‘I met her at a preliminary audition for The X Factor in 2013,’ he claimed.  

‘I’m always auditioning for TV shows and it’s not uncommon to meet talented people doing the same. She was doing lots of gigs and wasn’t busking then.

‘She’s never been afraid to put herself out there and go for it.’ 

Guessing game! While Tones and I has not yet commented on reports surrounding her age, her manager told Daily Mail Australia last week that she ‘enjoyed people guessing’

Hard worker: Despite reports that Tones began her career as a busker in Byron Bay only recently, Krishool said she had been working towards her dream for much longer. Tones and I (circled) is pictured busking in Byron Bay in March 2019

Krishool did not make it to the televised auditions on The X Factor’s fifth season that year, but he did appear on The Voice Australia in 2014.

He said he ‘wasn’t sure’ if Tones had progressed any further on The X Factor.  

After meeting at the audition, Krishool and Tones recorded a cover of Justin Bieber’s As Long As You Love Me for her now-inactive YouTube channel. 

Their cover has just 627 views, which is significantly lower than the 272 million views the Dance Monkey music video has amassed in just five months. 

The pair lost touch shortly after recording their duet, with Krishool saying he was stunned to discover Toni was the artist behind Tones and I’s Dance Monkey. 

‘I met her at a preliminary audition for The X Factor in 2013,’ claimed Krishool. Pictured: Tones in a YouTube video uploaded in 2013, when she was known as Toni Watson

‘I heard the song and thought it was different. She has a distinct voice and there’s a familiarity to it, but it had been a few years,’ said Krishool. 

‘I’m so proud of her and so proud to see her blowing up. Having a song go viral in so many countries is something not many artists are capable of.’ 

Krishool was unsure exactly when Toni had reinvented herself as Tones and I, but praised her success and said she had inspired him to try busking himself.

Success story: Last month, Tones won Best Female Artist, Best Pop Release, Breakthrough Artist and Best Independent Release at the ARIA Awards in Sydney 

Last month, Tones won Best Female Artist, Best Pop Release, Breakthrough Artist and Best Independent Release at the ARIA Awards in Sydney. 

Dance Monkey has hit the number one spot in 18 countries, including Australia, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, Belgium and the United Kingdom.

She currently has 35 million monthly listeners on streaming app Spotify.   

Krishool’s latest EP, Going Thunder, is available to stream on Spotify 

Inspired: Krishool (pictured) was unsure exactly when Toni had reinvented herself as Tones and I, but praised her success and said she had inspired him to try busking himself