Jessica Mauboy, Hilary Swank hit trouble at the Spring Racing Carnival 2015
POP star Jessica Mauboy finally broken her silence over her last-minute withdrawal from singing the national anthem at the Melbourne Cup.
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JESSICA Mauboy has broken her mysterious silence on her no-show singing at the Melbourne Cup.
In a Twitter post, Mauboy wrote “Thank you to everyone for all the messages of concern, I am OK.
“I am so sorry I didn’t perform at the Melbourne Cup yesterday, I was really looking forward to it and of all the days for things to go wrong, unfortunately this was the one. I am so sorry to everyone for the disappointment xxxx JM”
Thank you to everyone for all the messages of concern, I am OK. I am so sorry I didn't perform at the (cont) https://t.co/JMAoMse9NF
â Jessica Mauboy (@jessicamauboy) November 4, 2015
A statement from her management team read: “There was a lot going on yesterday and there was miscommunication with her styling team, unfortunately by the time it was resolved the call time had been missed.
“Known for her professionalism and her incredible work ethic, Jess is deeply apologetic and devastated that she disappointed fans and racegoers and wasn’t able to perform at such a prestigious event.”
Sources close to the singer suggest Mauboy was overwhelmed by the last-minute wardrobe kerfuffle as she prepared to sing the national anthem.
She managed to regain her composure, but it was too late to take the stage.
Others have suggested a problem with Mauboy’s footwear not matching a retail chain sponsor, while fans on Facebook wondered if her not singing was a statement on animal cruelty at the horse racing event.
Widely respected for her professionalism, Mauboy has been working long hours and travelling around the country in recent weeks to promote her latest single This Ain’t Love and launching her television debut The Secret Daughter which goes into pre-production next month.
Came in at 21!! #RaceThatSlowsDownTheNation @hamishandandy pic.twitter.com/zRDmPNgKpR
â Jessica Mauboy (@jessicamauboy) November 2, 2015
She has also been recording the final songs for her next album due in early 2016.
The hectic schedule and long hours took their toll.
While upset about the drama caused by the mix-up in Melbourne, Mauboy is understood to have reassured friends and family she is “fine”.
Mauboy had posted a photo on Instagram of her arriving at Flemington.
Her next scheduled public appearance is Thursday in Sydney to promote her fragrance Be Beautiful.
Mauboy wardrobe ‘mutally approved’
Earlier, the Victorian Racing Club said Mauboy’s last minute withdrawal national anthem at the Melbourne Cup was not due to a wardrobe dispute.
The VRC was seeking an explanation about the circumstances surrounding her last minute withdrawal.
VRC CEO Simon Love denied rumours it was due to a wardrobe dispute.
“The Victoria Racing Club (VRC) was very disappointed that Jessica Mauboy was on course and didn’t perform yesterday,’’ Love said.
“The VRC was grateful that Nadia Aya could perform the national anthem ahead of the Emirates Melbourne Cup.
“The VRC can confirm that it supplied Jessica Mauboy with a mutually approved wardrobe and she undertook a full rehearsal of the planned performance on the eve of Emirates Melbourne Cup.
“The Club has no details as to why Jessica Mauboy didn’t perform and continues to seek clarification from her management.”
This morning, radio 2GB king of talkback Alan Jones suggested Mauboy, 26, refused to wear shoes supplied by the official race sponsor Myer.
But Confidential understands Mauboy was comfortable and spent much time on course.
Earlier in the week, it was reported that Hilary Swank did have wardrobe issue, stating that ”the VRC vetoed a photograph of Hilary Swank holding the Melbourne Cup as she’d been dressed in Aussie designer Christopher Esber — a label stocked in David Jones, not Myer ...”
Swank had been flown in especially by Swisse. Styled by Mikey Ayoubi, Swank braved the rain in a the backless Christopher Esber pant suit, a Nerida Winter hat and Christian Louboutin heels.
Strangely, the much lesser known international guest Millie Mackintosh (from reality TV show Made In Chelsea) was snapped with the cup, in a Camilla and Marc frock ... which is also found at David Jones, not Myer.
Myer has been associated with the Spring Racing Carnival for 37 years — in 2013 they inked a new five-year multimillion-dollar sponsorship deal with the Victorian Racing Club, which includes sponsorship of Fashions on the Field and its VIP marquee presence on Millionaires Row in the exclusive Birdcage enclosure.