When did you live in Bendigo and what was it like growing up here?
Mum and dad moved back to Bendigo when I was six months old. My dad was born in Bendigo and has lived there all his life, apart from a short time in Melbourne. I left Bendigo at the end of 2003, just after I turned 18. I loved bendigo. It was the perfect place to grow up and I still love it when I get back home!
What sparked your interest in music & performance?
I grew up surrounded by music! My grand-dad was an amazing singer! But my whole family loved to sing and play! So I had a love for music and performing for as long as I can remember! I remember putting on shows at home for mum and dad when I was about five or six. I did a mean version of 'The Piano Man'!
Can you describe how you went from being a Bendigonian to an Idol and Young Diva?
Persistence, I think, is one of the main things that really helped get me here. I always knew what I wanted but I also knew I was never gonna get it sitting at home! So I was always finding ways to better myself or learn more. But in saying all that, I probably never expected to get quite this far! I'm a very lucky girl!
What is your typical week like?
Ha ha ha ha! Well that's half the fun, you just never know what's next! It really all depends on what's going on at the time, but let's say it's album time! A normal day would start at around 6am with hair and make up and then the rest of the day is back-to-back interviews with radio T.V and things like papers or magazines and we normally finish at around 6pm. Then, more often than not, it's off to the airport for the next destination! But it's not always quite so busy!
What has been the toughest moment of your journey so far?
Hmm... Well I love what I do, so 'tough' isn't really how I like to look at it. But there have been many challenges that I have had to face along the way! The first year out of 'Idol' was probably the hardest! I was flying blind, I had no idea what to expect, so I had to learn on the run, which meant every day was a new experience. Now that I look back I wouldn't have had it any other way!
Describe your funniest performance moment.
It wasn't funny at the time, but I do laugh about it now. When we were on tour there was a part in the show where us four 'Divas' entered the stage walking down stairs, which I had done without a drama every other night! But this night the set wasn't secured properly to the floor and with that I went boom, boom, boom, boom all the way down the stairs, mid-song! The next day was a little painful and the girls have never let me live it down!
Who have been your greatest mentors throughout your career?
Oh, so many! But the biggest ones have been firstly my family, every single one of them has given me something that has helped me along the way in one way or another. Including my uncle Chris, who I started singing with around Bendigo at age 14. They are the best! Then of course, Venetta Fields, who these days is like family anyway, but she took me under her wing and taught me everything she knows and still now whenever I'm lost or unsure she is the first person I call!
Where would you like to see yourself in five years' time?
Hopefully I'm still here singing, writing and performing! But my next mission is to take on Musical Theatre, from the small amount I have done when I was young. I really loved it! But in five years, who knows? Let's see......
If you had a racehorse what would you call it?
'GO YOU GOOD THING'
What's your theme song?
'You'll Never Walk Alone'
What advice would you give to a young Bendigonian who wants to get into the industry?
I guess the best advice is don't take 'no' for an answer and don't say 'no' to anything. Take every opportunity you can, from karaoke to church choirs, I know it's such a cliché but you just never know what may come! Experience is the best tool and defeat only exists when you let it!
