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A new season of The Voice means a fresh chance for coach Jessica Mauboy to help contestants discover their own talent. The singer tells Siobhan Duck what the reality competition really means to her
It takes one to know one. Just ask Jessica Mauboy! Sure, The Voice coaches around the world all have had varying degrees of fame, fortune and talent. Where Mauboy has most of them beaten is she understands just how it feels to be where the contestants are standing.
After all, Mauboy (like her fellow Voice coach Guy Sebastian) first became a household name on Australian Idol. Sebastian won the very first season of Idol in 2003 while Mauboy placed second to Irish singer Damien Leith three years later.
“I think a lot of things that we picked up on a show like Idol really gave us an understanding of what the artist coming on and baring their soul was going to endure and how they were going to able to handle that on stage,” she explains.
“We went through all those steps that those artists are going through and that does bring back a lot of memories. It really helps in how I am going to deliver what I thought about them to be able to help them move forward.”
Mauboy was only a teenager when she wowed viewers with her sunny personality and impressive vocal range on Idol. It was also at this vulnerable age that she found her weight and appearance being criticised by judge Kyle Sandilands.
Times have changed and these days, Mauboy – an outspoken campaigner against bullying and racism – reflects, a TV judge wouldn’t get away with the things that were said back in Idol’s heyday.
Luckily, Mauboy had enough self-confidence, even as a teenager, to shrug off Sandilands’ hurtful words, but she is mindful that not everyone would be as resilient.
“We are living in a different time and there is a lot more sensitivity about how things are said,” she says.
“Having come from a show like Idol, I understand what it means when you are being judged. In this case, I think about how that is going to make that person feel and [if they] are going to be able to handle it because most people can’t handle criticism.
“Sometimes that can really push them over to the edge of not wanting to sing anymore. So, my way of coaching is to encourage them to be better and to choose my words carefully so that it doesn’t break them.”
While Mauboy and her fellow coaches – Rita Ora, Keith Urban and Sebastian – look for ways (even in rejection) to build artists up rather than tear them down, the singer says contestants still often contend with internet trolls.
To combat that, Mauboy advocates for her contestants
to focus on finding their own voice rather than listening to the opinions of strangers online.
“Let alone being on a stage and performing to millions of people, they also have the underlayer of social media and that platform [to deal with], so I think it’s about teaching the artists the tools around who they are and identifying what kind of artist they want to be,” she says.
Even with carefully chosen words and encouragement, Mauboy admits it’s hard to have to watch contestants’ dreams of winning the show dashed.
Last year was particularly personal for Mauboy as her niece Saraya was on Ora’s team but didn’t reach the finals.
“I always knew Saraya had a passion for music but when I turned around and saw her on stage I just thought: ‘I am so proud of you’,” she says.
“There was never a time when she asked me for help, she just did it all herself.”
Saraya’s appearance on The Voice followed Sebastian’s brother Chris, who won the series in 2020. So, does this mean we might see one of Ora or Urban’s relatives hit the stage in 2022?
“That would be amazing,” Mauboy enthuses with a trademark peal of laughter.
“Every year, being with the coaches, I feel like I’ve gotten to know them a lot more and understand them just as individual humans.
“Just seeing their family come around and be a part of the show on most days, was really beautiful. It did feel like a family and we’re all passionately into the show, so that makes it even more exciting.”
Talking about her rapport with her fellow judges, Mauboy says Ora is unapologetic in her opinions but also a “sincere and genuine” person who has become a good friend.
Sebastian, she giggles, likes to talk. A lot.
“He can chew your ear off,” she explains.
Urban surprised Mauboy with a sense of humour that had everyone in stitches.
“He likes to tell jokes – they were more dad jokes – and some of them I didn’t quite get but I laughed anyway,” she smiles.
Last year, The Voice was one of the few ways
Australians could enjoy watching singers on stage as artists such as Mauboy found themselves sidelined from touring by the pandemic.
With her enforced hiatus over, Mauboy is delighted to be back on stage with her Boss Lady tour.
“It has been an overwhelming feeling, to be able to walk outside the door, ready to perform and see an audience in front of you,” she says.
“I performed at a festival at Tumbarumba [in New South
Wales] and there was literally about 5000 people there from all ages.
“It was quite emotional because I just thought: ‘Wow, it’s been a while since I have done this.’ It was raining and people still stuck around, and it just showed that despite everything that is going on in the world, people are really ready for live music.”
Now heading into her second season on The Voice, Mauboy is even more confident about her tactics for getting the best team together.
She says the rivalry – although friendly – is genuine and every coach wanted to secure the best team for themselves
“It’s really hard to not be passionate,” she enthuses. “Particularly when there are so many incredible artists that are coming through this year. I mean, how could we not be competitive and fight?”
The Voice, premieres Monday, 7.30pm, Seven and continues Tuesday-Wednesday, 7.30pm Seven
Jessica Mauboy: “Having come from a show like Idol, I understand what it means when you are being judged… I think about how that is going to make that person feel.”