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Jessica Mauboy: ‘I always knew where I came from and felt proud’
Musician Jessica Mauboy is using her voice to spread the word of First Nations designers and artists. The 32-year-old has teamed with the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair Foundation as an ambassador, is loving her role as a coach on The Voice, and is excited about her wedding plans. She talks with Jane Rocca.
By Jane Rocca
Credit: Photography by Hannah Scott-Stevenson at Artboxblack for Aje.
You’ve been in the musical limelight ever since you were a teenager. Have you always felt confident about embracing your Indigenous identity?
My culture and family came first and both allowed me to do music. I wouldn’t be doing what I do if I hadn’t been given such a proud connection to my identity. Having those values kept me in check in the music industry. Looking back, having known who I was with such depth and knowing my connection to Country, made me okay with who I was. I always knew where I came from and felt proud.
You’re a community ambassador for Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (DAAF). What does that role mean to you?
I have felt part of the Northern Territory community since I was a little girl. Dad was always taking baked goods to the community and those who needed them most; I saw his connection to community all the time. When this opportunity to work with DAAF came up, it felt like the right fit for me.
Having grown up in the NT, I know the system and how communities work there. It’s always been part of our conversation. I felt emotional about being involved because having this role means I can introduce their stories to the rest of Australia. Being seen and respected by the artists in this community means a lot to me.
“It took not just my parents, but the extension of who they are, and who they are related to, to guide and pave my way.”
Who were your role models when you were growing up?
Definitely Mum and Dad, and culturally it was all the Aunts. Even going to Nan’s house was like school time for us – hearing her sing hymns in language was inspiring. It took not just my parents, but the extension of who they are, and who they are related to, to guide and pave my way.
Credit: Photography by Wayne Quilliam. Styling by Jessica Dos Remedios, assisted by Huw Ward. Hair by Koh. Make-up by Rae Morris. Jessica wears clothing by Charlotte Bedford
What was the best advice they gave you?
Mum says never forget where you come from. It always stuck with me – it’s her motto in life and it gave us a lot of gratitude and brought humbleness to our family. It taught me to believe that I could do anything, be anything, but only if I stay true to who I am – then I can go far.
How has hosting The Voice made you look back at your own career and its start on Australian Idol?
It makes me so emotional and takes me right back to being a 16-year-old standing in front of judges I had no clue about and who knew nothing about me and where I’d come from.
I entered that space purely for the music. Seeing the young ones come through, so eager to learn and to put themselves in this space, reminds me that I am not there as a judge, but as a coach. I don’t want to judge – it’s not my place to do that. But it’s my job to help them understand what it takes to become a pop star. I remember how I felt when I did my audition. Some judged my physicality and my appearance, but I was always going to bring it back to music and worked hard to make it about that.
“I don’t want to judge – it’s not my place to do that. But it’s my job to help them understand what it takes to become a pop star.”
You recently released a new single, Automatic. What’s it about?
It’s an ode to all the obstacles I’ve faced in the past few years. I am the sort of person who wants to constantly be thriving. Being unable to tour was hard, but now I am on a roll. The message I want to get out there is to claim back your confidence, to have inner belief and faith – that will guide you to your destination. If we claim back integrity and who we are as individuals, we’re on our way. I’m in the driver’s seat and it feels good.
You left your label, Sony, after 16 years and are now with Warner Music. What was it like severing those ties?
I was 14 when I first signed with a record label. Knowing what sort of artist I wanted to be was very important to me, and doing the music I did and fighting for it was what drove me. There was never a time I wasn’t fighting for what I wanted to do with my music; as a creative you’re always doing that no matter what label you’re with. We all grow and change. I had my own back the whole time in the biz, and it was learning to use the tools and then feeling comfortable enough to take it on and run my own business. That is something that takes a lot of time.
As much as the music industry is a love-fest that invites you to have fun, it’s a business as well. I always had that business hat on, and always had to check what the fun entailed. It’s like you’re constantly in a battle to protect what you love – and that is the music.
What sort of impact has the turmoil of the past few years had on you?
It’s taught me to celebrate myself. We are still very much in our own bubble right now; trying to come out and go forth and identify what is happening around us with life events. You have to be able to go out with your armour and take on what is happening emotionally. It can really affect your day! But when you find a bump in your day, the solid self can go out and conquer whatever comes to you.
You’re finally tying the knot with your fiancé, Themeli Magripilis. When? And how does that feel?
It will happen this year. The plan is to get the message out so that family stay put and don’t travel too far. My ideal ceremony is catching up with mob I have missed out on seeing recently and reconnecting with loved ones.
Credit: Photographer Wayne Quilliam, stylist Jessica Dos Remedios, stylist assistant Huw Ward, hair Koh , make-up Rae Morris and clothing by by Anindilyakwa Arts.
How does your relationship work?
We have been together since 2009 and established our family grounds early on. It took two years of both families getting to know each other, and they’re good buddies now. That mattered to us. That’s what makes our partnership magic – that our parents are close. It solidified our bond and who we are as families. It’s a merging of different cultures – Indonesian, Greek and my Aboriginal side. I haven’t experienced the smashing of plates at a Greek wedding but I can’t wait to do it at mine. I’ve never smashed a plate in my life – now that will be cool!
“It’s sitting there and being present and figuring out who you are without the fancy dress, the deadly shoes or make-up.”
You’ve long had a close friendship with Australian fashion designer Toni Matičevski. Is he making your wedding dress?
Yes. I love Toni – he makes masterpiece dresses. There is a real boss sense, a strong structural gathering, and layered elements which I adore. He is a good friend. He is iconic and if it’s for a one-off moment, then why not go all the way with someone like him?
You self-talk when experiencing doubt. How often do you do this?
I think that it takes a lot of practice to self-talk. I practise in front of the mirror, or in the corner of my studio. Sometimes I put my ear monitors in and record myself and think back about what I said. There are so many ways we can check in with ourselves, but that’s what I do. It’s sitting there and being present and figuring out who you are without the fancy dress, the deadly shoes or make-up.
Who is the real Jess? Back home in Darwin, she’s the one cutting up pawpaw and making a traditional Indonesian dish, usually sitting on the floor in my raggedy clothes, grinding all the ingredients together with a mortar and pestle, learning old recipes with family.
The Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair runs August 5-7.
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