From humble beginnings in the Northern Territory to top of the ARIA charts, Jessica Mauboy’s journey is the inspirational proof that talent and hard work can pay off.
The singer first came into the limelight as a fresh-faced teenager on ‘Australian Idol’ in 2006, and despite finishing as runner-up, she has since become one of the country’s most successful performers.
While many reality TV alumni quickly fade into irrelevance, Mauboy’s talent and catchy RnB sound have made her enduringly popular, with her third studio album ‘Beautiful’ reaching number three on the ARIA Albums Chart.
The album impressed fans and critics, with single ‘To The End of the Earth’ earning Mauboy an ARIA Award for Best Female Artist. But the creative process wasn’t as breezy or effortless as it would seem.
“Writing this album was at times a difficult process – I’d just come off a long time away with The Sapphires and was really missing home and my family and friends,” Mauboy said.
“There’s a lot of emotions in the songs on this album, it’s probably my most personal album to date.”
To accompany the release of ‘Beautiful’, Mauboy has embarked on her first Australian national headline tour ‘To The End of the Earth’ and is set to perform at the Evan Theatre, Penrith Panthers on Friday, January 17.
“It’s going to be a show that takes the audience on a music journey… [there] will be lots of fun, lots of dancing, lots of old hits, some new ones, a Sapphires moment and of course a few surprises,” Mauboy said.
The songstress is Australia’s most prominent female RnB singer right now, but growing up she was exposed to a wide range of music by her family, which helped form her style and skills.
“I was always singing at home and everywhere I could… I used to watch my mum’s ABBA DVDs and listen to all of mum and dad’s albums and copy them,” she said.
Of all of the ex-Australian Idol singers, Mauboy has arguably gone on to have the most prominent profile on the international stage, having worked with artists including Jay Sean, Snoop Dogg, Ludacris and Pitbull.
Despite recording and performing in America, which most local singers can only dream of, Mauboy has not been caught up in the fantasy of Hollywood and insists that there is just as much musical talent at home.
“I have been blessed to have worked with some great people in the US but I have also had the opportunity to work with some amazing people here in Oz. We have so many talented artists, writers and producers in this country – I have worked with many over the years and they continue to blow me away. The only real difference is there is a bigger pool in the US,” she said.
She has also never forgotten her roots in the Northern Territory, working with a local school and providing inspiration for young Indigenous people.
“I try to use my position to inspire young kids in a positive way. I am the ambassador for the Yipirinya School in Alice Springs, which is one of the only independent schools in Australia to offer both the NT and indigenous curriculum,” she said.
“I really value the work the school does to give these kids the best possible education to get them ready for the world. My role at the school is to hopefully reinforce that they can achieve their dreams.”
Music may have been Mauboy’s first passion, but she has also made the transition to acting in recent years, with starring roles in ‘Bran Nue Dae’ and ‘The Sapphires’.
With no professional dramatic experience behind her, Mauboy still managed to receive warm critical reception, and has expressed an interest in further acting roles in the future.
“It was a bit scary to begin with but I was lucky to have amazing directors and mentors around to support me. Both roles were amazing and I felt comfortable with both characters, which made it easier,” she said.
After an impressive 2013, fans can expect to see and hear more of Mauboy throughout the new year, as she continues to promote her album ‘Beautiful’ and also tackles new projects.
The 23-year-old, whose most recent song ‘Pop a Bottle’ has been a hit, says that she hopes to be making music well into the future.
“On a personal level, I’m thinking I’d have my own little family ‘choir’ to sing to,” she said.
