TURNING SECOND INTO FIRST

Just like Emily Williams who competed in the season before her, Jessica Mauboy has turned the runner-up award in the 2006 Australian Idol into a fully-fledged and exceptionally successful recording career.

Still only 19, Mauboy has a highly impressive debut album under her belt in the form of Been Waiting, which landed with a bang and continued to build a head of steam throughout the summer. The young songstress has been blown away by the whole experience.
“I think just coming out with the first album as well and knowing that it's that R&B/Pop genre. I think there was a bit of doubt when deciding which songs to put on the album and seeing our own Australian artists in that genre of music - sometimes those releases can fall flat.

“But I had a lot of confidence in the album and being one on one with the producers as well as co writing most of the songs gave me a great feeling. So I am really happy with where it's at.”

The reception the album received in Australia has led to plenty of interest from record companies overseas, with a release in Japan last month and a UK launch through Ministry of Sound slated for later this year.

“It's too exciting and is happening so fast,” Jessica laughs. “It's only been out for a couple of months now and it's already going international. I'm really pleased that it was picked up by Japan - they were really keen - and it's especially exciting to be with Ministry of Sound in the UK.”

Perhaps one of the biggest surprises with the release was the appearance of Flo Rida on the single, 'Running Back'. It proved to be quite an experience for Jessica to work with one of the biggest rappers in the business. “It was very surprising to me! I'm a big fan of his music and knew that he was all over the globe already, so having him coming back saying that he loved it and wanted to be part of it was just like, 'Oh my God. Did he really say yes.' But when I met him in person and he was just really keen and really interested in my background and what made me want to do music. He's a very lovely and genuine guy and I couldn't believe how supportive he was of me.”

Flo Rida's interest in Jessica's background is understandable and besides her Timorese father, she also has a strong line of English, Native American and indigenous Australian heritage, courtesy of her mother. Jessica's connection with her indigenous extraction runs deep and explains why she's particularly excited about performing at this year's Stylin' Up festival at Inala. Stylin' Up is one of the Brisbane festival circuit's best-kept secrets, and in 2009 it's set to be bigger and better than ever.

“It makes me so happy,” says Jessica. “Especially coming from a big community of indigenous people in Darwin. When I have time I try to go out to the most remote areas and get with the kids and try to inspire them, helping them with their education and finding out where they see themselves in the next couple of years. I guess this is a great thing to be able to do: I believe in going out and being a role model for anybody, whether they are indigenous or non-indigenous. I love being able to put smiles on people's faces and to see that, but also to listen as well.”

As well as Stylin' Up, Mauboy is also looking forward to taking the house down at both Mystique in Brisbane and Shooters on the Gold Coast. “I'm definitely looking forward to those gigs. I love the people of the Gold Coast and Brisbane; they're just so wild! I was just there recently doing a couple of club shows and it just went off. I couldn't believe how they're just in party mode and I absolutely loved it.”

Jessica Mauboy plays the Stylin' Up festival May 30, and will perform at Mystique later that evening. She then plays Shooters Lounge Bar and Nightclub on the Gold Coast June 5.