Australian singer and former swimmer Cody Simpson has hinted at new music releases and a potential name change as he re-enters the music scene after retiring from swimming. The 29-year-old shared studio clips and cryptic social media posts following his amicable split from Olympic swimmer Emma McKeon. Fans speculate the updates tie into his past projects like the poetry book Prince Neptune.
Cody Simpson, 29, announced in 2024 that he was stepping away from competitive swimming to revive his music career after a five-year hiatus. He had previously shifted focus to swimming, making the Australian Olympic Team, but both he and his former partner Emma McKeon retired from the sport that year.
Simpson has been active on social media, teasing upcoming music on TikTok and Instagram. He posted a photo of a blue square with the caption "Spring is coming." His profile picture now features a plain blue background, which fans link to his 2022 poetry book Prince Neptune and a clothing brand he launched that year. This has sparked speculation about a possible name change as he relaunches his music.
In studio videos, Simpson appears excited, dancing with a producer to the intro of a new song and explaining its inspiration. "After a year experimenting with music and writing song after song since my swimming career, I walked into the studio extremely open-minded and open-hearted," he said. He added that "a new sort of sound and colour wanted to come through" him, and "it did." In comments, he wrote: "I'm not even kidding, I'm obsessed with this song."
Simpson has been working on music in the US. Late last year, he ended his four-year relationship with McKeon, whom he started dating in 2022. Sources close to the couple described the split as amicable, noting they remain good friends. Simpson previously called McKeon his "rock in life," saying, "Anyone who has that in life is lucky." He added, "We bonded through something so specific and special in swimming, but now, living and navigating life after it and doing all different kinds of things, it's been a really fun journey."
McKeon, the most decorated Australian Olympian, supported Simpson's return to music.