X Factor Australia star Isaiah Firebrace is said to have “attacked girlfriend” after raising money for victims of domestic violence

An X-Factor Australia winner and domestic violence advocate is trying to clarify allegations he assaulted his girlfriend on mental health grounds.

Isaiah Firebrace pleaded not guilty to a single charge of domestic violence linked to aggravated assault at Downing Center Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, following an alleged assault on her partner Stephanie Mendez.

Police allege Mr Firebrace, from Moama in the NSW Riverina region, attacked Ms Mendez at Pyrmont on Sydney Harbor just after 11pm on August 18 before being arrested just hours later.

NCA Newswire believes the alleged incident occurred at the Star Casino.

If found guilty and convicted, Mr Firebrace could face up to two years in prison.

Isaiah Firebrace (above) has pleaded not guilty to a single count of grievous bodily harm related to domestic violence following an alleged assault on his partner Stephanie Mendez

Police allege Mr Firebrace (right) attacked Ms Mendez (left) at Pyrmont on Sydney Harbor just after 11pm on August 18

Ms Mendez also stood before Downing Center Magistrates Court on Wednesday, where she pleaded guilty to a single charge of domestic violence in connection with the same incident.

The Melbourne woman’s TikTok account, where she posts videos of herself modeling fashion items and travel videos with Mr Firebrace, has garnered more than 18,000 likes.

She will appear again at Downing Center Magistrates’ Court on October 18, where she will be convicted following changes in agreed police facts after her appearance on Wednesday.

Mr Firebrace rose to fame after winning the season of Australian TV music competition X-Factor in 2016 before representing Australia in the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest.

In the same year, the 23-year-old co-produced a charity single Your The Voice with prominent Australian singers such as Kate Ceberano and Troy Cassar-Daley.

Mr. Firebrace (above) filed a motion to have his charges heard under the Mental Health Act

Ms Mendez (pictured with Mr Firebrace) pleaded guilty to a single charge of domestic violence linked to mean assault in connection with the same incident

The single was dedicated to raising awareness of domestic violence. All profits went to DVConnect, a charity supporting victims of domestic violence and their families in crisis in Queensland.

Mr Firebrace recently appeared alongside singer Evie Irie in a second TV music competition to once again represent Australia in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest, but ultimately finished 10th.

Mr. Firebrace has also released a number of songs since his time on the X-Factor, including the song Have You Ever in 2023, and amassed a sizeable Instagram following of more than 54,000.

In an Instagram post in June, Mr Firebrace appeared alongside prominent Aboriginal advocate Tony Armstrong in a promotion for Literacy Is Freedom, a charity campaign raising awareness of literacy among First Nation communities.

Appearing in court on Wednesday, Mr Firebrace’s lawyer said they would file a motion to have the charges heard under Section 14 of the Mental Health Act.

Mr Firebrace (above) rose to fame after winning the season of Australian TV music competition X-Factor in 2016. The following year he was part of a campaign against domestic violence

Under the law, a person with a mental illness can escape conviction by order of a judge and instead be released into the community under certain conditions set by a judge, which may include treatment.

Judge Jennifer Atkinson told Mr. Firebrace’s attorney that if the “section 14 motion fails,” the singer would still have to file a plea, with Mr. Firebrace pleading not guilty.

Mr. Firebrace will appear again in the same court on October 4th when a related AVO is also heard.