Delta Goodrem: ‘No-one wants to be confused with a virus’

Delta Goodrem reveals whether she tuned in to watch this year’s season of The Voice – and how she really feels about sharing a name with the Covid-19 Delta variant.

You were busy at the start of the year – and then the Delta Covid variant hit. How do you look back at that time now?

I made a commitment to myself early on during Covid that I would do my very best to push myself to be creative during this time. Finding new ways to be productive from home, adapting quickly, thinking outside the box… there have been some very special moments.

How do you feel about becoming the subject of social-media memes thanks to the variant’s name?

There’s another Delta on the loose! No-one wants to be confused with a global virus. That Delta needs to go.

“No-one wants to be confused with a global virus. That Delta needs to go.” (Picture: Robbie Fimmano)

“When I’m part of something I give my absolute all.” (Picture: Robbie Fimmano)

Not to trivialise what people have been going through, because it has been incredibly tough, but you hear a recurring theme from artists that when things don’t go to plan, it is often what serves as the source of great art.

Have you found that these past two years have been just that, or were there times you struggled, like so many others?

The past two years have been challenging for everyone. There have been highs and lows navigating the uncertainty, and I’ve leaned into those emotions to fuel my creativity, writing songs and producing music.

New experiences have been born out of this time, like doing a virtual duet performance with Colin Hay or creating the Bunkerdown Sessions live every week. Every week through [those] streams I have been learning to keep the hope and love through music alive.

Your partner Matthew Copley plays with you in the Bunkerdown Sessions. Have you enjoyed showing your fans a different side to you and your relationship?

I’ve always been me. We’ve done over 35 weeks of Bunkerdown Sessions – inviting people into my living room. [Those sessions] have been something I’ve really looked forward to, knowing that people from Australia and around the world are tuning in.

And while we’ve been so isolated, meeting together virtually every Thursday has felt very connected and in community. The healing power of music is really important to me, which has always been the point of doing the sessions.

“We’re craving colour in our lives.” (Picture: Robbie Fimmano)

Lockdown restrictions forced you to move your big tour to 2022. Was that frustrating?

Everyone’s had an extremely tough year. Every single industry. I’m obviously very disappointed not to be able to tour this year but the decision was entirely out of our hands. Of course you feel it – not only for me but all the people it impacts.

The safety and wellbeing of everyone has always been the priority. We’ve worked so hard on this show, and I’m so proud of what we’ve created. It will be even more special next year.

So there’s now pressure to make it bigger and better?

I [felt that] the first time! Now, it’s like, just bring it on. I’m excited. When you come to my show, leave what’s going on in your life at the door, come in and have a lot of fun. I want to invigorate and empower everybody in the room to have the best night of their lives.

Was it strange not to have The Voice Australia on your plate this year after being a coach on the show for so long?

I’m so incredibly grateful for the show. I love it, and I’m always going to be cheering it on. It was a thoughtful decision after nine years [including a one-season break]. When I’m part of something I give my absolute all, so it was time to give my all to other projects, and it felt like the right moment for me to lean into my creativity.

Did you watch any of it?

I saw a bit of it here and there, and it all looked wonderful. And as I said, I was cheering on the team and all the crew who I’ve worked with over the years; the camera guys and the entire production. They always do an absolutely sublime job.

“I want to invigorate and empower everybody in the room.” (Picture: Robbie Fimmano)

Getting around in a dress made of roses is not something you do every day. What was it like to wear that beautiful creation for Stellar’s shoot?

We had an absolute ball. Being completely dressed in flowers as an ode to Flemington Racecourse’s famous gardens with its 16,000 rose bushes, making it the largest public rose garden in the Southern Hemisphere. Roses are synonymous with the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

At the beginning of lockdown last year, I came across florist, artist and doctor of philosophy Dr Lisa Cooper and her beautiful work. And I remember thinking: Oh my goodness, this is so beautiful. And then when we joined forces [for this shoot] with Stellar? It was meant to be.

You’re the ambassador for the Victoria Racing Club and a special guest for Melbourne Cup Day this year. You’ve been part of this for a long time – since you first performed the national anthem at the Melbourne Cup Carnival in 2007.

It’s an intrinsically Australian moment that people look forward to every year. Whether you engage with the horses, the fashion or the entertainment, it truly is the race that stops a nation. I remember at school, at 3pm on that first Tuesday in November, they would wheel the TV into the library and we would watch it together.

I love seeing the joy it brings to the city and the nation. It is such a large part of our social fabric, and after such a unique year and a bit, I’m most looking forward to the opportunity it provides to get out of my tracksuit.

Delta Goodrem stars on the cover of this Sunday’s Stellar.

It does feel like we’re all craving some dress-ups.

We’re craving that colour in our lives. Dressing up and playing fantasy. I’ve always said you need something to look forward to. Whether it’s going to a local coffee shop, bringing everyone together on tour or getting dressed up and enjoying the spirit of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

What have you learnt about yourself in 2021?

It’s been a year of learning and embracing the unknown. It has continued to be a year of uncertainty and a year of great amounts of change for everyone. We have all been adapting and learning new ways to be efficient, new ways to be productive and new ways to be creative.

And in embracing the unknown, doing my best to continue to learn and grow both personally and professionally. I think it’s important for people to continue to stay compassionate to one another and remember that we are all Australians, in this together.

For more information on Lexus Melbourne Cup Day and the Melbourne Cup Carnival, which broadcasts live on Network 10, visit vrc.com.au.