There were country songs I connected to when there was pain, when I saw things my family were going through. It was my way of acknowledging I wasn't OK: music tapped on the door; I could work out these emotions by singing.

Jessica Mauboy

Categorized in : Work Pain Music Family

The storytelling in country music is so powerful.

storytelling music powerful country

Obviously, my Indigenous culture is very special to me.

me indigenous special culture

When I get into the studio, it's not about trying to get a good song, it's about whatever comes naturally.

good-song good song trying

I am a deeply competitive person when it comes to music.

competitive person i-am music

There's been moments where I've felt, as an indigenous woman growing up in Australia, there's been that kind of rivalry of being indigenous... I've had that experience of someone saying, 'I don't know if she's going to go that far.'

woman saying experience moments

The first thing I do when I get home is take my shoes off and go barefoot.

first go shoes home

I thank my mum, dad, and home for keeping me in touch with my own country and my own land. I can be in the studio with Snoop Dogg or singing for Oprah, but I'm still me.

me singing dad home

When I go back home, I am just Jess, no-one special.

i-am go special home

I've always been a big fan of Mariah Carey. I think it's her personality. As much as she has an amazing voice, she has a crazy personality and I love the fact that she's not afraid to hide that.

amazing crazy personality love

My father is Indonesian Timorese, my mother Aboriginal Australian.

aboriginal australian mother father

I have a black pair of suede Jimmy Choos. I've only worn them once to a Sony event. The heels have these arrow plates in a pattern. There's gold, black and white and they're amazing!

amazing black-and-white black white

There hasn't been that many indigenous Australians who have made it in the pop industry.

who indigenous industry made

I just want to play music with a band, live.

live music want play

I've always looked up to Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey for their outstanding vocal performances. I've always been inspired by them.

been up always inspired

We've had real strong aboriginal male artists who've crossed over to the mainstream who have toured the U.K., who have been a massive influence on myself and many, many communities around Australia.

myself influence strong real

I'm a big fan of 'The IT Crowd.' That's where I discovered Chris O'Dowd.

crowd big-fan big where

Eurovision is a wonderfully joyous and unique event.

wonderfully event joyous unique

Country music is who I really, really am deeply.

country-music who music country

Listening to country music as a kid allowed my imagination to run wild.

music imagination listening country

I like to paint - I love arts and crafts.

like arts paint love