- 23 hours ago
The Assembly - Australia Season 3 Episode 5
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00:06Hello gang. How are we? Oh, Abby, looking a million bucks today. Love your dress. You look
00:12great. Gorgeous. Thank you, Lee. Hey, Sam. How are you? Good. How are you? Yeah, good. Thank you.
00:18What about you, Abby? I'm feeling a bit starstruck today, Lee. Oh, I think that's her either.
00:30It looks like her walking behind you now, Abby. Here she is. Behind you. That's normal.
00:37Calm down. Hi, Jess. So nice to meet you. You're going to have such a great time today.
00:45I'm looking forward to it very much. Come through and say hi to everyone. Hi. Hi, Jess. Hi, Jess. Hi.
00:52Hi,
00:53I'm Jessica. Hello. Andrew. Andrew. Nice to meet you. Lovely to meet you. I'm so excited for today.
01:00Hello, Jess. We are a collective of autistic journalism students and we're very happy to
01:05have you here today. Our rules are there is no subject that is out of bounds,
01:10no question is off the table and anything could happen. Welcome to the assembly. Thank you.
01:15You're going to do great. Yeah. When you're going to be on camera yourself, you just straighten up your shirt
01:23like that. Okay. You're good to go. Straight down the barrel of the camera, okay? Everyone good? Okay, in three.
01:34Tonight, the assembly returns. And graduates from past series are back. Prep day one. Prep day one.
01:42Hey, guys. And Lee Sales is mentoring us. Hi, everybody. The students have graduated from the
01:50journalism foundations course and they're ready for the next step. Taking us on the road. Wow. Let's keep
01:56going. And behind the scenes. This is really awesome. To level up our media skills. Hey, Abby,
02:04we're about to record a song. Okay, I'm ready to go. On both sides of the camera. So stay on
02:09your mark.
02:10Some of Australia's most celebrated names are taking the hot seat. No making me cry, okay? For
02:16interviews like you've never seen before. What intentional decision have you made knowing that
02:21you will die? Um. Have you ever been arrested? That is a good question. What is the most bogan thing
02:26you've ever done? Oh, you've got this, Jess. Sorry. Tissue girl is back again. Cheeky question.
02:45Cheeky question. Let's go, team. Let's go. Watch out your knuckle. Ha. All righty.
02:56Oh, how are you, James? Yeah, great. Good to see you. Good to see you, too.
03:01Let's pop it there. Who cares? Have you seen how hectic Kmart can get sometimes in the toy section?
03:07Oh, yes. How are you, Pat? I'm all right. Are you feeling all right?
03:11Yeah, I'm fine. Mm, that's good. Of course I'm next to Fletcher.
03:17Good morning, everybody. How are we all today? Good. Yeah? Good? Ready for action?
03:23Oh, yeah, yeah. Let's do it. Let's go. Okay. Our next guest is a beloved Australian singer,
03:31award-winning actor. She's been in Eurovision for Australia. Her own amazing singing and her
03:40charisma has made it very popular with the Australian public. Jessica Malboy. Jessica Malboy.
03:46Wow. Mitch, how did she know? I don't know. I just guessed. Wow. What do we know about Jessica Malboy?
03:55She's a beautiful pop star. Yeah. With her pop star music. I make big things out of little things
04:02and I watch you keep missing them. She won an aria for best female artist. Yeah. In 2013.
04:10This is so incredible. Um, to be an Indigenous Australian woman. Thank you. She was on The Voice.
04:19That's right. She's a judge on The Voice. Were any of you old enough that you watched her on
04:22Australian Idol? One of my earliest television memories was watching Idol and all the ads had gone,
04:30Australian Idol goes regional. What are you going to sing, darling? Today I'll be singing, um,
04:36I Have Nothing by Whitney Houston. Oh, yeah. Take my love. I'll never ask for too much.
04:46Abby? She was in the movie The Sapphires. Yes.
04:49What a man, what a man, what a man, what a mannequin man.
04:52What a mannequin man.
04:54What a man, what a man, what a mannequin man.
04:59And she has just recently had a little baby.
05:02OK, so it sounds like there's going to be tons to ask about.
05:04Should we split into our groups and get ready to work on our questions?
05:07OK, good.
05:08Let's do it.
05:13Let's get our questions ready for Jessica Malboy.
05:17How would Jessica Malboy go on 7.30?
05:21I think she could stand up to Sarah Ferguson.
05:24Uh-huh.
05:26Evie, you're a super fan.
05:28Oh, oh, oh, I wouldn't say super fan.
05:30I know, like, four songs, but they're four really good songs
05:33that I love listening to.
05:35And you're such a music lover too,
05:36so you'll have that great point of connection with her.
05:39Yeah.
05:39Have you ever been to a recording studio?
05:42Ooh, I don't think so.
05:47OK, ready?
05:48Coming to a recording studio means the students are going to see
05:51first-hand how music is put together.
05:54Welcome to Forbes Street Studios.
05:56And I think that'll be really useful in helping them
05:58come up with some questions for Jess.
06:02So keen today to find out all about the ins and outs of recording,
06:07and it'll help us know more about Jess,
06:11get insights into Jess's world.
06:13Thanks so much for having us in, Tash.
06:16So Tash is a music producer.
06:17So you've worked with Jess Malboy, who the students are interviewing?
06:20Yes.
06:21She's such an amazing vocalist.
06:23She's such a beautiful person as well.
06:25Is there a connect, like, one thing that connects you and Jessica?
06:29Yeah, actually, um, her partner is Greek.
06:33And...
06:33I'm Greek!
06:34You too!
06:36Who wants to have a go talking into the mic?
06:39Um...
06:39I'll have a go.
06:40OK.
06:40Jump in, Mitch.
06:42You'll be able to adjust the level.
06:45We are the assembly.
06:47Thinks about to go crazy.
06:49We've been walking for hours.
06:51You can see how the vocals...
06:52Oh, yeah!
06:53...perfecting the U-meter there.
06:56Many of the students absolutely love music,
06:58so bringing them to an actual music studio is really invaluable.
07:01Hey, Abi, we're about to record a song.
07:03OK, I'm ready to go.
07:05All right, let's do this!
07:07They think up questions on the spot.
07:08It's really good for them, actually, in their process.
07:11I make big things out of little things
07:15And I watch you keep missing them
07:19Coming to the studio today,
07:21I've got so many more questions for Jess.
07:23You did so well!
07:25It's her world.
07:27Um, her roots, essentially.
07:29Really cool to see that side of things as well.
07:33Very excited to meet her.
07:38Hello, everyone.
07:39Hi, Leigh.
07:41How y'all doing?
07:42Good.
07:43Are we excited about Jess?
07:44I think so.
07:45Yeah?
07:46Is anyone a particular fan?
07:47I love Pop a Bottle Fill Me Up.
07:49Surely she's gonna sing a song for us.
07:51Yeah.
07:52I want her to sing Pop a Bottle Fill Me Up.
07:54I'm excited to meet Jessica Mowboy because she's beautiful.
07:58I thought she has a beautiful smile.
08:00She seems popular, well-loved.
08:03She just seems so sweet.
08:04What have we got here?
08:07I'm still thinking of a view.
08:09Yeah?
08:10I reckon just think creatively, Savannah,
08:12and see what unusual questions you can come up with that might surprise her.
08:15What stood out to you?
08:16That she's from Darwin.
08:17That she's from Darwin, okay.
08:19And also, she's in a family of five sisters.
08:23So, were you the popular girl in school?
08:25That is a great question.
08:27I would be very interested to see what she says to that.
08:30Me too.
08:31Got some good options there.
08:33All right.
08:34All right, what are we brainstorming over here?
08:36All right, she's alive.
08:38She's 36.
08:39She's a she, um, and I know she likes collecting shoes.
08:43This time on the assembly, I am doing more research and just having fun with it,
08:48especially with the questions.
08:49What year did she win Idol again?
08:50She didn't win.
08:51She came second.
08:51I came second.
08:52What year did she come second?
08:53You get a freedom on this show to ask whatever you want,
08:55and I think that's the best part about it.
08:57Has she considered a career as a professional spy?
09:00That could be a route there.
09:02I mean, Darwin is close to Pine Gap, so she could.
09:08I'm thinking, like, what is her favourite train line,
09:12but at the same time, would it be bad of me to ask that?
09:16Because, you know, most neurotypicals don't care about trains.
09:21Hello.
09:22How are we going?
09:23I'm good.
09:23Good, good.
09:24Who are you drawing there, Daniel?
09:25I am practising doing Jessica Malvoy.
09:28Fantastic.
09:29Because I want to do a really good portrait for her.
09:31Great.
09:31Yes.
09:32I'm a visual artist and she's a singer, so it's a bit different,
09:34but being able to ask about areas that are related to the arts and creativity,
09:40I think is so cool and such an amazing opportunity.
09:44Why don't we go through your questions first and have a look?
09:46OK.
09:47All right.
09:48Well, since last time I was on the Assembly, I've been very busy.
09:51I've been doing a lot of art.
09:53I also had a meeting with the Government General to talk about a potential commission.
10:00Hello, Daniel.
10:01It's so good to see you.
10:03Welcome to Admiralty House.
10:04Thank you so much.
10:05After you.
10:08Wow.
10:10It's quite something, isn't it?
10:12It's quite something.
10:13It's a lot to take him when he come in.
10:15It is.
10:17So I've got a range of things here.
10:20So one of my artworks I've brought on here on the front here is a print.
10:24Utterly beautiful.
10:26Oh, and now this looks very familiar given where we are.
10:29Now we are, yes.
10:30And given that we had started talking about whether there was a work that you could create,
10:34that we could have in one of our residences, this is just looking magnificent.
10:39Shall we go and see what I see when we look out at this incredible harbour view?
10:47Wow.
10:48It is truly quite an incredible view.
10:52I think I'm going to create a landscape of Sydney Harbour from the view of Admiralty House.
10:57I've given artworks to Maggie Beer, Guy Sebastian, and now I'm going to be doing an artwork for the
11:05Government-General and a drawing for Jessica Malboy.
11:08It's such a surreal feeling.
11:18I love your outfit.
11:20I thought I would go kind of like a tranquil kind of feel look, you know.
11:24I'm just excited to meet you.
11:27Pop star.
11:30Hello.
11:31I'm Jessica.
11:31I'm James.
11:32James, lovely to meet you.
11:33Nice to meet you.
11:34Hi, I'm Jessica.
11:35Hi, I'm Anastasia.
11:37Anastasia, lovely to meet you.
11:38Lovely to meet you too.
11:39Hello, Jessica.
11:40Hi, hello.
11:41I'm Jessica.
11:42I'm Chow.
11:42Chow, lovely to meet you.
11:44How wonderful.
11:45So it's all, we're all good.
11:46Um, okay, Evie, do you want to start us off today?
11:51Okay.
11:52Um, this is a safe space.
11:55Everyone can relax and be themselves.
11:59There will be no judgement.
12:01Please do what you need to join in.
12:05For example, fidget, move, take a break.
12:08Ask if you need anything to help you be included.
12:13James.
12:15Hi, Jess.
12:16I'm James.
12:17Hi, James.
12:18Do you have a particular place where you feel at one with the world?
12:25Darwin.
12:26I think Darwin on Larrakia Country is, um, just, there's this energy, the landscape,
12:34the kind of smell, like, particularly around the dry season.
12:38That's kind of where I feel the most at peace or the most happiest.
12:46Well, thank you so much.
12:47Yeah, thank you.
12:49I'm Savannah.
12:53Hi, Jess.
12:54Hi.
12:54My name's Savannah.
12:55Lovely to meet you, Savannah.
12:57Lovely to meet you too.
12:58You're the only celebrity I have ever heard of from Darwin.
13:02What was life like as a kid growing up there?
13:06There was a lot of freedom.
13:08I remember running barefoot on the hot gravel and just, you know, trying to get home after school
13:15to, like, watch my favourite show on ABC.
13:18I would, you know, climb the trees, like the tamarind trees and the mango trees and...
13:22Mango?
13:23Yeah.
13:24What?
13:25What show did you watch anyway?
13:27Um, Arthur was my favourite.
13:29Yeah.
13:29Aww.
13:31What a wonderful time today, where we can learn to work and play, and get along with each other.
13:40My favourite.
13:41That was my, yeah, I loved that show.
13:44Anything else with your, um, Darwin life?
13:47Yeah, um, there was, um, during the monsoon season we could actually smell the rain coming,
13:53and we would run really fast and, you know, find ourselves in the gutters and try and, um,
13:59slide down the gutters and just be in the water and...
14:02The climate Darwin has is called the Savannah climate, FYI.
14:06It's very hot. It is very hot.
14:09Thank you very much, Jess.
14:10Thank you, Savannah.
14:11Thanks, Savannah.
14:12Okay, Willow, your turn.
14:15Um, I was born the same year as you were on The Australian Idol.
14:18I was just a baby when you were on The Australian Idol.
14:21What was life, what was, what was it like for you?
14:24Oh, oh, I was 16 when I entered the show.
14:29It was an amazing time because I learnt a lot of skills when it came to performing on stage.
14:37I, uh, met a lot of people along the way.
14:40There were cameras, lights, and the experience and the opportunity was amazing.
14:46Um, I love your song, Little Things.
14:48I can relate to this song as I try really hard to make friends and, and, but my efforts are
14:53ignored.
14:54Is there anything you try but feel like your efforts are ignored?
15:00Oh, um, I love that song, by the way.
15:04Um, I wrote that song for my mum.
15:09We saw her struggle a lot.
15:10So I wrote that about, um, I wrote that song about her.
15:14And I found writing it was the best way to, um, I guess, approach that and how I felt watching
15:21her struggle.
15:24Um, Molly.
15:27On Australian Idol, you were told that you needed to lose your jelly belly if you wanted to succeed.
15:32You then were on the cover of who magazine sexiest people issue.
15:36They are two very different ends of the body image spectrum.
15:39What has this taught you about yourself and the way the media view people in the music industry?
15:44Yeah, it's, that's such an important question.
15:47Um, because I remember being 16 and hearing that from, um, one of the judges at the time,
15:54you know, thank goodness for my parents and stealing within me that I was already beautiful
16:00and very young and, and I'm, you know, from one of five sisters.
16:04So I was already getting it for my sisters.
16:07But in this case, so publicly, I remember kind of just going, oh, well, that's, that's who I am.
16:13And this is what I look like. And I'm, I'm okay with it.
16:19Um, Dale.
16:21Hello, Jess. I'm Dale.
16:23Hi, Dale.
16:24You've been signed to two of the biggest labels in the world, Sony and Warner Brother Music,
16:27and now you've chosen to go independent. Why did you do that? And do you think it'll work out?
16:32That's a good one. I've, I've slept on that thought for many nights,
16:38ever since I, um, officially launched my, um, independent label, Jay Malley.
16:43For 21 years, I'd spent obviously Sony Music and, and Warner's. Um, I tried them both. And I,
16:51I think I got enough knowledge and tips and tools and advice that I felt I could create my own
16:59indie
17:00label where that I would have a lot more kind of control over my music. And I finally just released
17:10my first single on it. So I'm really proud. Awesome. Thank you for that. Thank you. Anastasia.
17:17Yep. Hello, Jessica. Hello. I'm Anastasia. Lovely to meet you. Lovely to meet you.
17:21Um, just a heads up. Um, I'm also Greek like your partner. So yes.
17:25You probably get a lot of call outs. Like for example, somebody would probably scream out,
17:30marry me. When you, when you perform in a concert and when you're on the voice,
17:36what is the funniest call out you have received? Oh, sign my shoe.
17:45Wow. Literally. Um, and actually I, it was the first time I'd ever
17:54experienced it and I was quite shocked and, um, please sign my shoe. At least he said please.
18:01And so I went down and I grabbed their shoe and I was like, okay, where am I going to
18:05sign?
18:07I found the smallest part of the shoe and I just put JM.
18:13That's a good, I like that. That's a really good signature.
18:17Okay. Um, when you record your singing in the studio, do you do any silly noises into the mic?
18:23Oh, yes, I do. I do. Um, one thing that helps clear the kind of mucus in my throat,
18:31um, is I go, oh, ma, oh, ma, the more kind of like whiny, the more my vocal cords are
18:44loose
18:45and they're warm and they, they're very kind of stretchy. So it's like, it's, it's, um, oh, ma.
18:54Oh, there's, there's another one. There's like, um, peanut popcorn.
19:01I know it sounds silly, but it works because it just helps the inflections and get the kind of,
19:09you know, yeah, get the gunk out of the throat. That was really good. Thank you so much. Thank you
19:15so much. Evie, would you like to have a go? Um, my name's Evie. Hi, I'm Jessica. Lovely to meet
19:23you.
19:24Your music was really important to me growing up. In particular, Burn and Inescapable in my childhood
19:33and Fallin' When I Met You, Risk It and Um, This Ain't Love in my teen years. Do you have
19:41a song
19:42that it, that is especially meaningful to you, whether it be one of your own songs or another
19:47person's song? Oh, that's a great question. Um, I've written a lot of songs and the ones that you
19:56just mentioned, I just felt like I wanted to break out in song. Um, uh, Inescapable is a really fun
20:03one.
20:03I'll be inescapable like a song in your head, unshakable. Try to fight, but you'll be incapable.
20:13You won't get rid of me, rid of me, yeah. You'll think you can keep me out. I'll be all
20:23you think
20:24about. My spell will be unbreakable. You got it. Yeah, I'll be inescapable.
20:32Oh, oh, oh. Thank you.
20:40Hey, Jess. Hi. Um, is your creative process chaotic or structured?
20:48That's a good question. Um, it sometimes is both. If I'm not familiar with the person I'm working with,
20:57it can be quite scattered and, um, uh, the day can feel a little bit everywhere and stop and start.
21:04You know, if I'm comfortable with the person, you know, I could write a song in half an hour
21:09if I know the person and I just feel comfortable and safe. Yeah.
21:13Yeah, it's fair. Like if you've got that rapport or, yeah, sort of know each other's style.
21:19That's right. In sync, sort of, I guess. So, um, do you prefer life now or before fame?
21:26What do you reckon? Oh, that's a really good one. Do I prefer life now? Um,
21:37Yeah, definitely. Like the life now, I think I've been able to like curate and, um, and just have a
21:46little bit more control, I guess, in my adulthood years. Um, I started very young in the music industry
21:51and, you know, at the age of 11. And so I feel like I very much, yeah, live for now.
21:58Yeah. Yeah. I agree. They were doing this. Yeah. Fair enough. Thanks, Jess.
22:04Yeah. Thomas.
22:07Hello, Jess. I'm Thomas. Um, so out of all of the, um, international artists you've worked with,
22:13which one was your most favorite and why? I would have to say
22:22Midnight Oil. I think they're so full of knowledge and it was just so nice to be in their
22:27presence and, um, to understand how they work as, as a band and as an artist. And then obviously
22:33growing up listening to Midnight Oil's music. I just love their work and what they do in the community.
22:40Did you do any of those Peter Garrett moves? You know, that. Oh, yeah, right. I,
22:45that's what I was waiting for. And I got to see a lot of that whilst making the music video.
22:50And
22:51so yeah, there was me going, I love those moves. Yeah. So iconic. Yeah. Thank you. Thank you, Thomas.
23:00So Fletcher, you'll go. Good evening. My name is Fletcher. Hi, Fletcher. Hello. Now that you have a
23:06baby, there must be some days when you just can't be bothered to go to an event. What is the
23:10worst
23:11excuse that you have ever made up just to stay home in your pyjamas? Oh my gosh.
23:19Watch, I really put you on the spot there. Oh, that's a really good one. Um,
23:28I'm scared. I haven't, I don't, I have not used that excuse yet. Um, but if baby Mia Rae had
23:37a blowout.
23:41Maybe. Lots of autistic people have special interests. Mine is the Wiggles. I know everything
23:50about them. If you were lucky enough to be autistic like us, what would your special interest be?
23:56Oh, just collecting things, I think. I mean, I already do that. I collect, um, records, vinyls.
24:05Ooh. So that's something I like and I'd love to like just frame them and make like a shrine of
24:12vinyls
24:12on a wall in photo frames. That's cool. Yeah. And thank you, Jess. Thank you. Thank you. Thanks,
24:18Fletcher. I'm Bethany. Thank you. Hello, Jess. I'm Bethany. Hi, Bethany. Lovely to meet you. Lovely
24:24to meet you too. Um, I often think about what people are thinking in their heads as they're walking to
24:29work.
24:29Sometimes they look so anxious. What makes you anxious? Oh, um, if I don't know what I'm doing,
24:38or if I, if I've felt like I don't know my lyrics enough. But yeah, not knowing my lyrics, like,
24:45makes me very anxious. That's totally fair. That's what you do. Thank you so much.
24:52I'm Mitch. Hello, I'm Mitch. Nice to meet you, Jessica. Lovely to meet you. Um, so my first question is,
25:03you've taken children's books and wrapped the words through them. Um, and I'm a big fan of rap.
25:11Oh. And, um, I think you can probably see where I'm heading with this.
25:15Could you rap for us now? Oh, wait, what? It can be anything. Yes, yes, yes.
25:22Okay. I don't know if you know the beginning of a song I wrote called Saturday Night,
25:28but there's a rap artist who performs at the beginning of the song, and he says,
25:34I got my cup filled up all the way to the rim, rim, rim, rim. Black on black,
25:39Cadillac with a custom trim, trim, trim, trim. Smoke filling up my lungs, and I'm blowing bubble,
25:44bubble, bubble, bubble, bubble. It's Saturday night, let's get in trouble, trouble, trouble, trouble.
25:50Nice.
25:51Woo! Woo-hoo!
25:55I think you can do a better job than I just did, though.
25:59Nice job. I don't know if you could call that rapping.
26:01I'm no Eminem, that's for sure.
26:04Um, did you ever get left out by your siblings is my next question.
26:09Yeah, there was a lot of, kind of, my older sisters leaving
26:13myself and my younger sister out. I wasn't allowed to play any of my,
26:16my elder siblings' music. Um, couldn't touch their stereo, couldn't touch their CDs, but I did.
26:25Yay!
26:26I snuck in somehow.
26:30Go, Jessica.
26:30Thank you, Jessica.
26:31Thank you so much.
26:31Thanks very much, Mitch.
26:33Hey, Jessica. Ciao here. How are you going?
26:35Ciao lovely to meet you.
26:36Nice to meet you.
26:37Um, we live in a, in a balanced world, especially for those in the, uh, First Nations community.
26:43Um, we've tried things like closing the gap, um, but we know that progress takes a very long time.
26:50Yes.
26:51Um, what's something you want to see change in the near future that'll make, that you will say actual
26:56change in your eyes?
26:58Yeah, I think, you know, I think it comes down to culture and language.
27:04Um, you know, I work with Indigenous literacy and, you know, um, the kids are, their language is,
27:13their language is, is first language and English is second language.
27:18But I think, um, it does make a difference when that is placed in the curriculum.
27:23And I hope to, and dream to see, um, the Indigenous language being, yeah, being shared in schools.
27:31Yeah, it's something that I have seen in the Northern Territory.
27:34And I hope that can exist all across Australia.
27:38Thanks for answering my questions, Jessica.
27:40Thanks. Cheers.
27:40Andrew.
27:42Hello, Jessica. I'm Andrew.
27:44Hi, Andrew. Lovely to meet you.
27:45You had the huge honour of being awarded the Making a Difference Medal
27:48for speaking out against racism and bullying.
27:51I have been bullied throughout my life.
27:53And I was wondering what did it mean to you personally?
27:56And could you talk a bit about your experience growing up?
27:59Oh, wow. Thank you so much for that question.
28:02Yeah, I, I remember being bullied in high school.
28:06Yes.
28:07Um, you know, for wearing glasses or the colour of my skin.
28:11Um, I remember running home one day when, um, you know, a young student,
28:17uh, referenced the colour of my skin and, uh, I just felt, um, sad.
28:25Yes, that's not good.
28:27I remember feeling, yeah.
28:27And I ran home and I shared that news with my parents and my mum looks at me and says,
28:36there's going to be people that, you know, will like you and will not like you,
28:40but you have to love yourself, be kind to yourself.
28:44You know, she says you are beautiful just the way you are.
28:46Um, keep your head tall.
28:49That's right.
28:50And, um, yeah, just, uh, know how strong.
28:52Yes, we are beautiful, Jessica.
28:53Yeah, we are beautiful.
28:55That's right.
28:55Yeah.
28:56Yes.
28:56And I've got another question for you too.
28:58What is something about growing up in Darwin that shaped you that people from Sydney and
29:03Melbourne just wouldn't understand?
29:05Oh, going crabbing, going mud crabbing in my, in my dad's little tin boat.
29:15Oh, lovely.
29:15We would go out and drink, you know, and weave through the mangroves and in the murky,
29:21you know, brown water and you might just get one crab.
29:25But, um, we would always come home with something and food on the table and mum would prepare the
29:31food and yeah, so that's, that's something I feel like has really shaped, shaped me.
29:36Well, thank you so much, Jessica.
29:39Thank you so much.
29:40Hello, Jess.
29:41I'm Oliver.
29:42Hi, Oliver.
29:43Lovely to meet you.
29:44Um, you've been on The Voice, which Australia loved.
29:48You also supported The Voice, the parliament, which Australia rejected.
29:53How do you make sense of a nation that celebrates your voice when you sing,
29:57but resists your voice when you use it to make change?
30:01Yeah, it's, um, that's a really, it's a really tough one because everyone has an idea of,
30:08you know, creating the right thing for so many of us.
30:14Um, and I, you know, I always take it back to empathy.
30:18You know, if empathy is really shared that things could, can work.
30:23So yeah, I think it's still a conversation to have and it's important to obviously find a solution.
30:30Thank you very much.
30:31Pat.
30:32Hello, Jessica.
30:33Hi.
30:33I'm Pat.
30:34Hi, Pat.
30:34Nice to meet you.
30:35Lovely to meet you.
30:36I hear that you really like young kids.
30:39I'm the opposite.
30:40I can't stand them.
30:41I can only be around them.
30:43I can only be around little kids for about 30 minutes before I get drained.
30:47So yeah, how long can you hang around kids until you get drained?
30:53Um, it depends, right?
30:55Like, um, I mean, I love sleep too.
30:59So, um, I, I reckon I could handle like maybe, well, yeah, for the rest of my life,
31:06I've got my daughter.
31:07So.
31:09Well, I, it must be good because, um, you wanted to be a school teacher, right?
31:13So, you know, you'd need at least eight hours of, uh, battery life.
31:16Yes, I do.
31:17Yeah.
31:17Well, I got, I got it now.
31:19Yeah.
31:20Oh, well, no.
31:21Well, that, that's good.
31:22Your, your purpose built for kids.
31:23Yes.
31:24Yeah.
31:25Well, thank you.
31:25Thank you so much.
31:27Silas.
31:29Hi, I'm Silas.
31:31Hi, it's lovely to meet you.
31:33Yes.
31:34What intentional decision have you made in your life knowing that you'll die?
31:38Knowing that I'll die.
31:41Um, that's a really good question.
31:44I have never, I've, um, well, that's a really good question.
31:51Oh, you got me.
31:53You really got me.
31:58Um, having my baby, I think has really kind of put that into, you know, now she's in the world.
32:04I'm like, I just want to be there every second, every moment.
32:09Um, and I know, you know, I will one day, but you know, I hope I get to teach her
32:16all the things that,
32:18you know, and, and witness her grow and become the person that she, she wants to be in this life.
32:24So yeah, that's, that's something that I, um, I have intention to live, to watch that.
32:31Yeah.
32:32What, what do you most want to teach her?
32:34Oh, that's a really good, this is very good. You got me. Um, uh, I, I just, I want to
32:43be able to teach her
32:45kindness, um, and love firsthand, you know.
32:49Yeah.
32:50Yeah. Um, Abby.
32:51How does your connection to your family and now a new mum to Mia shine through in your music?
32:57Oh, so deeply. Ah, you know, I feel like I have a, a new perspective on how I look at
33:04life,
33:05particularly through, through Mia Rae. I'm just living in the moment with her. I'm, I feel like
33:11I'm always constantly creating melody in front of her and she's just gazing at me with wide eyes and
33:19thinking that's really familiar. And I sung a lot when I was carrying her. I was still, I was touring
33:25and I was making music. So I think maybe she is really familiar with those sounds. And when I hum
33:34or when there's vibration that happens, she's, she just, she really turns her neck and she's like
33:40breaking her neck to look at me and, you know, just an awe of when I'm singing. And it's just
33:47really
33:48beautiful right now. Yeah.
33:50Well, um, you never know. Well, maybe your next album might be nursery rhymes or lullabies.
33:55There you go. That's the next album.
33:59Okay, great. Well, thank you, Jess. Daniel.
34:03Alrighty. Hello. Hello.
34:06All right. So I know, I gotta compose myself.
34:13I know you're a singer, but you're also an actor. How did you end up as an actor,
34:20as well as a singer? And do you enjoy acting?
34:25Oh, I sometimes think about that. How did I land any of those roles?
34:31I do love acting. When I first had my audition for the role of Rosie in Brand New Day, I'd
34:40never done
34:41like an audition like that. I'd done music auditions, but this was like reading a script and then having
34:47to memorize it. It was a little bit of awkwardness. I didn't know how to be, but I remember the
34:53lady behind the camera. She's like,
34:55just relax. And I was like, I don't know how to relax.
34:59This is awkward. There's so many people behind the camera. And I just remember, okay, just,
35:06you know, think of it as like, if you were singing, there's a rhythm in projecting a line
35:12to someone. But I, yeah, that first kind of taste, I was like, I'm in. I want to be in
35:21more films. If a
35:22script landed in my lap, you know, today, I would read it and then I would go and audition.
35:26Yeah. Yeah. All right. My second question is, well, from what I've heard, the music industry can be
35:33very brutal. We have lost some famous singers due to mental illness, depression, alcohol,
35:39and drug addiction. How have you managed the low points in your career?
35:46There is a side to the music industry that can be sad and brutal. I think upholding a strong
35:54connection with my family and an open conversation. You know, they've given me a lot of advice along
36:00the way. And I feel like that's given me a lot of clarity to remain strong and go about how
36:06I,
36:06you know, represent myself and how I connect with other people in the music industry.
36:11That's really, really lovely. Yeah. Um, some are visual artists. Um, I've done something for you.
36:19Yeah. What do you mean? Yeah, I have done, I have done a portrait of you.
36:23Wait, what? And I want to give it to you.
36:26Oh, yeah. Oh, wow. You did this.
36:36Yes. This is absolutely beautiful. Oh my gosh. My eyes, my eyebrows.
36:46Yeah. And my hair. Yeah. Oh no, it's so beautiful. Thank you so much. I'm going to get emotional and
36:53I don't want to get emotional, but thank you so much.
36:56Would you like a hug? I would love a hug.
37:01It's one thing to look at yourself in the mirror, but then having something from your perspective.
37:07This is really special. I can't wait to frame it and put it amongst my, my vinyls.
37:13I made you cry, I think. Oh, you did. I'm a somber. Thank you so much. Thank you.
37:20Oh my gosh. Oh. Thank you. Thank you.
37:25I've been listening to your music all week. Can you please sing us one of your songs for us?
37:34Like, like, like, uh, perform? Yeah, there's a piano right there.
37:38Yeah, look behind you. What's behind you? Surprise!
37:42James!
37:43All right, should I stand up? Yes.
37:46It's just here? Oh, wow. We have a mic stand.
37:55You've got this, Jess. I'm sorry. I'm a mess already. Is that crazy?
38:03No, not at all. I feel the same way. What's happening?
38:08It's all right.
38:19I just want to say thank you so much for allowing me to, or sharing your space, to have me
38:24here today.
38:25And, um, it's been so wonderful. And, oh, my heart is so full right now.
38:35And I thank you all for just giving me that.
38:40Even if you didn't know you did, but you did.
38:45Um, and for sharing music too, because that's my love. It's my first love.
39:00You don't say I'm pretty.
39:05Not like you used to.
39:09And I never admitted.
39:14I'm trying so hard for you.
39:19Cause all of the moments are treasure.
39:24In the morning, you won't remember.
39:28Don't know why you can keep it together long enough to try.
39:36I make big things out of little things, and I watch you keep missing them.
39:45And you don't get why it's kidding me.
39:50Every time you mess this up, send myself on fire to keep us warm.
39:59Where I lose my mind, watching you ignore all the little things, the little things,
40:11things, means so much more.
40:16So no, I'm not finished.
40:18The performance was jaw-dropping.
40:21She's so talented and in person.
40:23It's, it's like palpable, goosebumps, just amazing.
40:34I could feel like the energy, like this open vulnerability around everyone.
40:40Oh my god, it was amazing to see.
40:43I make big things out of little things, and I watch you keep missing them.
40:51And you don't get why it's kidding me.
40:56Every time you mess it up, set myself on fire to keep us warm.
41:05Swear I lose my mind, watching you ignore all the little things, the little things,
41:17means so much more.
41:21Yeah, they mean so much more.
41:28Bravo, bravo, bravo, bravo, bravo.
41:31This is our Beaton, ladies and gentlemen.
41:41So superb, thank you.
41:43Jess, can we trouble you to get a photo with all of us before you go?
41:46Yes, please.
41:48Oh my gosh, can I just get a hug?
41:50Oh my god.
41:52It was so lovely.
41:54I'm going to close your mama, get your hug.
41:56Oh, Abby, this dress is giving me so much.
41:59Oh, thank you, Jess.
42:03Thank you so much.
42:05You're such a hug.
42:05It was awesome.
42:06I can't believe you're just in front of my eyes.
42:07Oh, yeah.
42:09Yeah, I know.
42:10And same to you, like from me.
42:13It's been an honour to meet you, and you've been such a kind hug.
42:16Thank you, and likewise.
42:18Thank you so much.
42:18That's awesome.
42:19I really loved the performance.
42:21It made me cry.
42:23If I had more serotonin to meet, I would be crying too, I think.
42:27Thank you so much.
42:27I think we were all emotional.
42:29Oh, I'm so glad.
42:31It was a beautiful performance.
42:33I think everyone all was crying.
42:38Our next guest is one of the most famous Olympians in Australian history.
42:43He has five Olympic gold medals.
42:45It is, of course, Ian Thorpe.
42:48Wow!
42:50Who's the person here that I should be scared of?
42:52No one. No one.
42:53Really?
42:54You've spoken openly about battles with depression.
42:56Do you think it was the result of media scrutiny?
42:59Oh.
43:00How hard was it to get people to accept you as gay?
43:05How did it feel seeing commercially available underwear with your name on it?
43:10Are you dating anyone right now?
43:13I'm sorry.
43:13You don't want to ask that.
43:15And you could get me busted.
43:41I'm going to ask that again.
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