The Sapphire in our crown

It’s been 10 years since Australia met an unassuming 16-year-old from Darwin with the voice of a superstar. Today her life has more than caught up with her voice as she leaps from one success to another

STANDING in the red dust of Alice Springs, singing to the Australian Idol judges in front of the Junction Hotel General Store, Jessica Mauboy had no idea where that decision to audition for the show would take her.

It is 10 years since she stood in front of judges Mark Holden, Marcia Hines and Ian Dickson and belted out Whitney Houston’s I Have Nothing. It was the nation’s first glimpse of the singer who would become one of Australian’s top female artists.

“I just had no idea what I was getting myself into really,” she said over the phone from the set of her newest project, The Secret Daughter. “Idol was definitely a major move.”

Being thrust into the national spotlight during filming for the show remains the most challenging time of Mauboy’s decade-long career.

“I was 16 at the time, never been on national TV before, never really had that major media experience,” she said. “I had no idea how to really share myself or express myself or what to say or what not to say. I was just an innocent teenager.

“It was a huge moment of exposure and having my family in the media was quite forceful, too, because everyone wanted a piece and wanted to know.”

A decade on since the Darwin girl placed second in season four of Australian Idol, losing to Damien Leith, she has proved to be the most successful competitor from the program.

Since 2006 the awardwinning singer has released three studio albums with 14 Top 30 hit singles including nine Top 10 hits. She has also scooped up an ARIA for Best Female and Best Pop Release in 2012 along the way.

In 2010 Mauboy began her acting career in the film adaptation of the musical Brand Nue Dae alongside Geoffrey Rush.

Two years later she wowed the world in The Sapphires and picked up both AACTA and AFCA Awards for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Julie.

In 2014 her musical career hit a global highlight when she became not only the first Australian artist, but the first artist from outside Europe, to perform at the Eurovision Song Contest in Denmark.

Performing Sea of Flags in the second semi-final paved the way for fellow Australian Idol star Guy Sebastian to perform at the 60th Eurovision in 2015, and for The X Factor winner Dani Im to compete in 2016, coming in second place.

“I still have ‘pinch-me’ moments sometimes,” Mauboy said.

“There’s nothing like it, I tell ya, to be part of a worldclass experience, to see a crowd just flood in from all around the world and welcome you — it was beyond a magnificent feeling.

“I felt like I was on a roller coaster going around five times, it felt surreal and I didn’t want it to end.

“(Eurovision) made a mark for myself, and for this incredible nation to have represented and entertained on an international music stage. We have incredible talents and I feel so proud, having taken the first step to enter us in the Eurovision show.”

Mauboy further demonstrated the talents of Australians as one of a few Aussies to appear on Sesame Street, where she featured in Five Kangaroos filmed in Alice Springs with Yipirinya School students.

But long before reaching the international stage at Eurovision and on Sesame Street, Mauboy was kicking around Casuarina Square with friends and busking on the streets of Darwin.

“I always went with my gut, in my heart, and would learn as I went,” she said.

Her upbringing in Darwin has kept Mauboy grounded over the years, even after moving to Sydney in 2008.

“It will always be in my heart — my little Darwin,” she said. “I know it’s changing and there are many, many people around the world who are still yet to discover or have discovered this beautiful land, this gorgeous town that is so full of richness.

“It’s the best of both worlds — that bush and salt water, and you’ve got waterholes there — it’s just a magical place in terms of identity and culture. I’m so proud of that place.”

Family played a strong role in Mauboy’s musical education when she began singing in her grandmother’s church choir.

She talks with such passion and love for her family, who she credits with helping her navigate her way through the world.

“My parents watched and observed and studied, and realised the love of music in me,” she said.

“I really have to thank them for encouraging and always giving those words of wisdom of working hard and never forgetting who I am.

“Those words have stuck with me throughout any project I’ve come across.”

It was in Darwin that Mauboy met long-term partner Themeli Magripilis, who has only recently made the move to Sydney to live under the same roof as the star.

“I was looking at him the other day walking around the lounge, and he’s sitting there on the couch and I’m in a bit of disbelief — ‘you’re here, you’re not going to leave, today, tomorrow or the day after, you’re here, you’ve made the move from Darwin town to big city Sydney’,” she said.

“(The relationship is) definitely moving forward.

“We’ve been together quite some time now, and I love him and we have a very strong bond.

“Definitely what we share is strong and it’s nice to start a new journey with him.”

The move was a long time coming, but the songstress played down rumours that marriage or kids were on the cards.

“It’s definitely not something we’re thinking about at the moment, for now we’re just enjoying being under the same roof and growing and sharing our lives,” she said.

Her newest project, television series The Secret Daughter, was a role written specifically for her — something she never dreamt of happening.

Mauboy was humbled by the opportunity, not only to have a lead role, but also to represent diversity in Australian TV.

“Putting an indigenous Australian as a leader in the acting world — it’s pretty major for me,” she said.

“A lead role is what every actor and every actress dreams of snapping up.

“We have such richness in this country, whether indigenous, non-indigenous, multicultural — all together we should be taking those chances and risks in the talent Australia has already, and what’s been waiting to be exposed.

“I believe it’s just the beginning and The Secret Daughter is opening that door.”

Mauboy has used her role as a celebrated artist and member of the community to be actively involved with a range of charities.

That includes many focused on indigenous wellbeing and education, using music to connect and spread her message. This won her the Northern Territory Young Australian of the Year in 2013.

As for the future, Mauboy is taking it one day at a time, just as she did in the dusty sand of Alice Springs when she introduced herself to the world.

“I’ve been living in every single moment and not really thinking too much about the future,” she said.

“It’s whatever I love, or whatever opportunity, or what I fall into or fits right at the time.”

* The Secret Daughter premieres on Monday, October 3, on the Seven Network. Turn to page 27 for more about the show.