MARCIA HINES: ‘THINGS MUST CHANGE’
Marcia Hines was just a teenager when she left America for Australia. Numerous hit songs, tours and, of course, television appearances on Australian Idol later, the celebrated singer can’t help but look at her former home now with a sense of sadness. “It is heartbreaking,” Hines, 66, tells WHO of the widespread riots which followed the death in police custody of George Floyd.
“I grew up during the civil rights movement in America. I remember Martin Luther King being shot. Now, I’m watching this incredible regression in America and it’s heartbreaking. But obviously things must change and they haven’t changed as much as they should have.”
Hines is speaking ahead of her anticipated return to Australian television, with the former Idol judge appearing as a mentor on The Voice (Sun. 7pm, Mon.-Tue. 7.30pm; Nine Network). International coaches Kelly Rowland and Boy George – in the US and UK – are unable to return to Australia so appear via video link, while Hines mentors Rowland’s team of newbies and The Veronicas – Lisa and Jess Origliasso – do likewise with George’s team.
After 10 years away from TV, Hines is thrilled to be back. “I’m knocked out,” she says of being asked to mentor the performers on The Voice. Hines appeared on Idol from 2003 to 2010 and admits she’d “have liked to have done more television”. “But if there is no gig, you can’t gig,” she says. “I had seven good years; I was so grateful for that.” Hines still raves about former Idol contestant, now The Voice coach Guy Sebastian, saying he has “the most incredible vocabulary of any singer I’ve
THE FORMER ‘QUEEN OF POP’ ON HER DISMAY AT AMERICA AND HER AMAZING TV COMEBACK
ever come across – he’s brilliant”. Throughout her time on Idol, Hines was sometimes known as the ‘nice’ judge. She says she was just being herself. “People said I was a fence-sitter, and I was not a fence-sitter. You don’t need to be mean to people. No-one ever did that to me.”
On The Voice, we see Hines and Rowland (via Zoom) instructing the former Destiny’s Child star’s protégés. “She and I think very much the same,” Hines says of Rowland, who she met earlier at a Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. “When you have two people on the same page there is no confusion.” Hines can teach Team Kelly about the work ethic needed to make it in the brutal music industry. She says she wants them to learn how to be vulnerable as performers. “You’re butt-naked on stage – not physically, but emotionally.”
THIS AUSSIE TEEN COULD SOON BE SPICE-GIRL FAMOUS AS SHE JOINS MUSIC GURU SIMON FULLER’S POP SUPER GROUP
How did it feel to be picked to be Now United’s Australian member? Was the process gruelling?
I couldn’t really believe it at first. Only a week before flying to LA to audition, I was just starting back at school. I never thought I’d be travelling the world with such an amazing group of people and doing what I love most.
The process was incredibly fast. I received a DM through Instagram. Then I sent a video of me singing and dancing. After that were FaceTime calls with the team and before I knew it I was on a flight to LA to audition in person. A week later, I’m sitting in Simon Fuller’s office, where he told me the exciting news. Simon Fuller has been behind some huge pop stars, from Spice Girls (before your time!) to various Idol winners. Was it daunting to audition for someone like that?
I was definitely nervous auditioning for Simon Fuller, who has such a big name in the industry. I remember singing ‘Stop’ by the Spice Girls
when I was younger, and I would always be dancing to ‘Wannabe’. So when I found out I was auditioning for a global pop group, managed by Simon, it was a dream come true. The timing of you joining must have been tricky with coronavirus restrictions. How has it impacted your start in Now United?
It’s sad not to be travelling with the group. I miss them and all of our adventures so much. Before the pandemic, I was training with Now United in LA and then we travelled to Brazil for my first Promo Tour, which was absolutely incredible. Although we are all back in our home countries now, we are still working to create amazing content. My first song was ‘By My Side’, all recorded on phones.
How would the group normally work – do you all stay in your home countries and get together for specific projects? Or are you usually based in one place?
We are usually in LA. So we rehearse in the studios in preparation for tours and any projects. From LA, we then travel to many countries performing.
Have you had a chance to get to know the other members?
I got to know everyone as we spent every day together. When I first moved into the girls’ house in LA, I shared a room with Shivani. She is so beautiful and very down to earth. Also, while on tour in Brazil I shared a room with Any. She’s easy to talk to, and so kind.
Was it hard to join an established group?
I was very nervous to join a group who are all so talented. But the moment I met the members, even though we are from all over the world, it was like an instant family.