This time last year, life wasn’t anywhere near as carefree and relaxed as it is now for Aussie singer Jessica Mauboy.
WATCH: Jessica Mauboy speaks following her engagement
As a newbie coach on the set of The Voice Australia alongside veteran stars Keith Urban, Rita Ora and Guy Sebastian, the musician readily admits she was a bundle of nerves.
“When I started working on this show, I was way outside of my comfort zone. I was terrified,” the 32-year-old performer and reality star admitted to WHO last August.
But fast-forward 12 months and the hit maker has definitely got her groove back.
“The second time aroundI am much more confident,” she tells us in a chat from the set during a filming break.
“I am more across the rules and how to help my singers bring out the best in themselves, which is what it’s really all about.”
The ARIA winner’s relationship withher mega-talented superstar fellow coaches has also changed along the way.
“We’ve had so much fun together this time around, now we know each other a little better,” Mauboy explains.
“Keith is hilarious; he is always cracking jokes. And we’ll just be walking down the hallway and Rita starts singing, and I don’t hesitate to jump in with a harmony. It’s a blast.”
After starting her own career at the tender age of 16 by blowing away the judges with her powerful rendition of Whitney Houston’s classic ballad ‘I Have Nothing’ at her Australian Idol audition in 2006, Mauboy is passionate about developing the up-and-coming talent with whom she works.
“The Voice is a very different show from Idol,” she admits.
“There is so much nurturing and support. All of the coaches are fully committed and really show up to support their people.”
The best part of the job, the star of The Sapphires says, is helping one of her mentees find something in themselves they didn’t know existed.
WATCH: Four day-to-night looks with Jessica Mauboy
“The performer has to want it themselves; if they don’t have the desire and put in the work, then it doesn’t matter what we do,” she admits.
“But when the person really takes on board our advice and encouragement and you see them bring their best to the stage, when you see a star discover themselves up there, it’s pure magic.”
For anyone sitting at home watching the final four and thinking they’ve got what it takes to win, Mauboy tells them to walk the walk. After all, it worked for her!
“It takes courage to stand up there and tell your story and do your best, but it’s so worth it,” she declares.
On set at The Voice isn’t the only place where Mauboy has found 2022 to be much easier than last year.
Now that the strict border closures caused by the coronavirus pandemic appear to be a thing of the past, the bride-to-be can finally set about planning the laid-back sunset beach wedding she’s been dreaming of.
Mauboy’s fiancé, Themeli Magripilis, 32, got down on one knee during a sun-filled vacation to Greece in 2019.
They had been dating since they were 18, after meeting at a nightclub.
So does that mean a destination wedding in Greece is possible as a location? Nope, according to Mauboy!
“I always knew I wanted to have the wedding in Darwin,” says the singer (who now lives in Sydney) of her and Magripilis’ hometown, where her extended family remains.
“We are just making sure everyone can be there, but are close to locking in a date!”
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