Mahalia Barnes grew up in a rock ‘n’ roll world - but sex still wasn’t spoken about

The singer, 42, first started performing as a child in The Tin Lids with her three younger siblings and now plays with her band, The Soul Mates. She portrays Mary Magdalene in the upcoming Jesus Christ Superstar.

“I can’t do what I do and not think that music can change the world. It changes how people feel. It empowers people. It heals people.”Credit: Dominic Lorrimer

SEX

Was sex discussed openly when you were growing up?
Obviously, my family upbringing is not quite like everybody else’s. We come from a wild, rock ‘n’ roll world, but sex still wasn’t spoken about. I’m the oldest of four, but not technically the oldest. I’ve got several older half-siblings; Dad [Jimmy Barnes] had a few children when he was a teenager, including David Campbell, but we were 10 years apart and didn’t necessarily live together. So I didn’t really have older siblings to learn stuff from, either.

In retrospect, what should you have been told?
There’s a lot more conversation now around consent. It’s so important, but a lot of people still feel uncomfortable discussing it. Yumi Stynes is doing all her stuff [writing educational books about sex for young people], yet it gets absolutely torn down by people who think it’s paedophilia or grooming kids. It’s like, no: information is power. And all of it should be pointing towards learning to understand yourself, to know what feels good and to feel safe. As a parent of two daughters, I feel this stuff is so important.

Do you have any advice for parents who find these conversations awkward?
They’re excruciating. I mean, no one wants to think about their children having sex. Or their parents having sex. Both scenarios are awful to think about. But it’s also real. Just remember that the more information you can give your child, the safer they’ll be.

Thinking about parents having sex is gross, but what about people throwing themselves at your parents – especially your dad?
It’s pretty gross. We constantly get bras thrown on stage and people flashing him, and I’m like, “Wow, I have to see that, too.” Not only that, now my children [who also perform live on stage] have to see that!

What attracted you to your husband, bassist Ben Rodgers, when you first met?
Everything. He’s an incredible musician, which I always find immensely attractive. And this sounds crazy, but he was probably one of the only people I knew who hadn’t taken hard drugs. That definitely got my attention.

POLITICS

When you’re a public figure, you’re often expected to speak about issues. How do you use your platform?
For anything that I think I can help with. I also struggle with that balance of when to speak and when to shut up. But I’d always rather speak on behalf of those who don’t have a voice – or, at least, share what I believe is important and stand up for what I think is right.

What’s on your mind at the moment?
What’s happening politically in America. Climate change. The horrific situation in Gaza – and now in Lebanon. I cannot be OK with seeing children being killed. And no, that doesn’t mean that I think people on October 7 should have been killed. I don’t want anyone to die.

What do you think Australia is getting right?
We’ve made progress in many ways. It’s not the same as when, in the 1990s, Pauline Hanson was talking about us [Asians] needing to go home. [Racism] still exists, but it’s not the same, and it’s not tolerated in the same way.

What do you think we’re getting wrong?
The Voice referendum was an absolute shitshow. We’re making steps towards trying to reconcile the damage that’s been done to First Nations people, but it’s a long, long road.

“Music can change the world.” True or naive?
True. I can’t do what I do and not think that music can change the world. It changes how people feel. It empowers people. It heals people.

BODIES

What do you like about your body?
It’s strong. I work a lot and I’m very grateful that my body supports me in that. It has made two beautiful girls, which is pretty impressive. I’m what you’d count as plus-size or larger – especially by Asian standards – but I’ve not really ever been uncomfortable in my body. As I get older, I realise how unusual that is.

Lead me through your workout regimen.
We live in the Southern Highlands near Sydney and do lots of walking, but I get really bad hay-fever. As much as I love nature …

Nature doesn’t like you?
Yeah. So I was talking to one of my friends who was going to F45 [a 45-minute, high-intensity, interval-training workout], and she was like, “Just come and do it.” Now three of us go – sometimes more – about four or five, sometimes six, times a week.

That’s a lot!
I’m not trying to be an elite athlete here. I’ve got bad knees, so I’m not jumping on boxes; I’ll just do something else. But I like that it’s a set amount of time. I like that it changes every day and I don’t know what I’m doing that day, so I can’t talk myself out of it.

Any tattoos?
Yes, a little tattoo on my back: my Thai name, given to me by my great-grandmother and a special lotus flower that represents working hard and pushing up through the challenges.

What is the superpower that you wish you had?
Being able to sleep.

What secret superpower do you have?
Oh, I’m a really good cook.

Jesus Christ Superstar begins its national tour at Sydney’s Capitol Theatre on November 6.

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