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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. Act normal.
00:37Okay, calm down. Hi, Jess. So nice to meet you. You're going to have such a great time
00:44today. I'm looking forward to it very much. Come through and say hi to everyone. Hi. Hi,
00:49everyone. Hi, Jess. Hi. Hi, Jess. Hi. Hi. Hi, Jessica. Hello. Andrew. Andrew. Nice to meet you.
00:56Happy to meet you. I'm so excited for today. Hello, Jess. We are a collective of autistic
01:03journalism students, and we are very happy to have you here today. Our rules are there
01:08is no subject that is out of bounds, no question is off the table, and anything could happen.
01:13Welcome to the assembly. Thank you. You're going to do great. Yeah. Yeah. When are you going
01:21to be on camera yourself, you just straighten up your shirt like that. Okay. You're good
01:25to 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.
01:40Prep day one. Prep day one. Hey, guys. And Lee Sales is mentoring us.
01:45Whoo. Hi, everybody. The students have graduated from the Journalism Foundations course, and
01:52they're ready for the next step. Taking us on the road. Wow. Wow. Let's keep going. Wow.
01:57And behind the scenes. This is really awesome. To level up our media skills. Hey, Abby, we're
02:04about to record a song. Okay. I'm ready to go. On both sides of the camera. So stay on your
02:09mark.
02:09Some of Australia's most celebrated names are taking the hot seat. No making me cry, okay?
02:16For interviews like you've never seen before. What intentional decision have you made knowing
02:21that you will die? Um. Have you ever been arrested? That is a good question. What is the most
02:26bogan thing you've ever done? Oh, ho, ho. You've got this, Jess. Sorry. Tissue girl is back again.
02:34Cheeky question. Ha, ha, ha, ha. We are Miss Gemblee.
02:47Let's go, team. Let's go. Let's go, you're not going, you're not. Ha. Alrighty.
02:56Oh, how are you, James? Yeah, great. Good to see you. Good to see you, too. Just pop it
03:02there. Who cares? Have you seen how hectic King Mark can get sometimes in the toy section?
03:07Oh, yes. How are you? Huh? I'm all right. Are you feeling all right? Yeah, I'm fine.
03:11That's good. Of course I'm next to Fletcher. Good morning, everybody. How are we all today?
03:20Good. Yeah? Good? Ready for action? Oh, yeah. Let's do it. Let's go.
03:26Okay. Our next guest is a beloved Australian singer, award-winning actor. She's been in Eurovision
03:36for Australia. Her own amazing singing and her charisma has made it very popular with
03:42the Australian public. Jessica Malboy. Jessica Malboy. Oh, my God. Oh. Wow. How did she know?
03:50I don't know. I just guessed. Wow. What do we know about Jessica Malboy? She's a beautiful
03:56pop star. Yeah. With her pop star music. I make big things out of little things. And
04:03I watch you keep missing them. She won an aria for best female artist. Yeah. In 2013.
04:10This is so incredible. 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
04:22on Australian Idol? One of my earliest television memories was watching Idol and all the ads
04:29had gone, Australian Idol goes regional. What are you going to sing, darling? Today I'll
04:35be singing I Have Nothing by Whitney Houston. Oh, yeah. Take my love, I'll never ask for too
04:45much. Abby? She was in the movie The Sapphires. Yes.
04:49What a man, what a man, what a man, what a mannequin man. What a mannequin man. What a mannequin
04:55man.
04:55What a man, what a man, what a mannequin man. What a mannequin man.
04:59And she has just recently had a little baby. Okay, so it sounds like there's going to be tons
05:03to ask her about. Should we split into our groups and get ready to work on our questions?
05:07Oh, yeah. Okay, good. Let's do it.
05:13Let's get our questions ready for Jessica Mowboy. How would Jessica Mowboy go on 7.30?
05:21I think she could stand up to Sarah Ferguson. Uh-huh.
05:26Evie, you're a super fan. Oh, oh, oh. I wouldn't say super fan. I know like four songs, but they're
05:32four really good songs that I love listening to. And you're such a music lover too, so you'll have
05:37that great point of connection with her. Yeah. Have you ever been to a recording studio?
05:41Ooh, I don't think so.
05:46Okay, ready?
05:48Coming to a recording studio means the students are going to see first hand how music is put
05:53together. Welcome to Forbes Street Studios.
05:56And I think that'll be really useful in helping them come up with some questions for Jess.
06:02So keen today to find out all about the ins and outs of recording, and it'll help us know
06:10more about Jess, get insights into Jess's world.
06:13Thanks so much for having us in, Tash.
06:16You're so welcome.
06:16So Tash is a music producer. So you've worked with Jess Mowboy, who the students are interviewing?
06:20Yes. She's such an amazing vocalist. She's such a beautiful person as well.
06:25Yeah.
06:26Is there a connect, like one thing that connects you and Jessica?
06:29Yeah, actually, um, her partner is Greek, and...
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.
06:40Okay, jump in, Mitch.
06:42Yeah, you go ahead.
06:42You'll be able to adjust the level.
06:45We are the assembly.
06:47Thinks about to go crazy.
06:49We're walking for hours...
06:51You can see how the vocals...
06:52Oh yeah!
06:54...aspecting the U-meter there.
06:56Many of the students absolutely love music, so bringing them to an actual music studio is
07:00really invaluable.
07:01Hey Abby, we're about to record a song.
07:03Okay, I'm ready to go.
07:05Hey, 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.
07:16And I watch you keep missing them.
07:20Coming to the studio today, I've got so many more questions for Jess.
07:23You did so well!
07:25It's her world.
07:27Her roots, essentially.
07:29Really cool to see that side of things as well.
07:33Very excited to meet her.
07:38Hello, everyone.
07:40Hi, 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 going to sing a song for us.
07:51Yeah.
07:51I want her to sing Pop a Bottle Fill Me Up.
07:54I'm excited to meet Jessica Mowboy because she's beautiful.
07:58She has a beautiful smile.
08:00She seems popular, well-loved.
08:02She 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, and 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.
08:34What are we brainstorming over here?
08:36All right.
08:37She's alive.
08:38She's 36.
08:39She's a she.
08:41And I know she likes collecting shoes.
08:43This time on The Assembly, I am doing more research and just having fun with it, especially with the questions.
08:49What year did she win Idol again?
08:50She didn't win.
08:51She came second.
08:51Oh, she came second.
08:51What year did she come second?
08:53You get a freedom on this show to ask whatever you want, and I think that's the best part about
08:57it.
08:57Has she considered a career as a professional spy?
09:00Yes.
09:01That 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, Emily.
09:22How are we going?
09:23I'm good.
09:23Good.
09:24Who's are you drawing there, Daniel?
09:26I am practicing 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.
09:35But being able to ask about areas that are related to the arts and creativity, I think is so cool
09:42and such an amazing opportunity.
09:44Why don't we go through your questions first and have a look?
09:46Okay.
09:47Alright.
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.
10:29There 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.
10:51I think I'm going to create a landscape of Sydney Harbour from the view of Appleby House.
10:57I've given artworks to Maggie Beer, Guy Sebastian, and now I'm going to be doing an artwork for the Government
11:05General.
11:06And 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.
11:24I'm just excited to meet you.
11:27Popstar.
11:30Hello.
11:31I'm Jessica.
11:31I'm James.
11:32James, lovely to meet you.
11:34Hi, I'm Jessica.
11:35Hi, I'm Anastasia.
11:37Hi, I'm Anastasia.
11:37Anastasia, lovely to meet you.
11:38Lovely to meet you too.
11:39Hello.
11:40Hello, Jessica.
11:40Hi, hello, I'm Jessica.
11:42I'm Chow.
11:42Lovely to meet you.
11:44How wonderful.
11:45We're all good.
11:46Yeah.
11:48Um, 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, the kind
12:34of 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.
12:49I'm Savannah.
12:52Hi.
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
13:14school to, like, watch my favourite show on ABC.
13:17I would, you know, climb the trees, like, the tamarind trees and the mango trees.
13:22Mango?
13:23Yeah.
13:24What?
13:25What show did you watch anyway?
13:27Um, Arthur was my favourite.
13:29Aww.
13:31What a wonderful time today.
13:33Where we can learn to work and play.
13:36And get along with each other.
13:39Yes.
13:40My favourite.
13:41That was my, yeah, I loved that show.
13:43Anything else with your, um, Darwin life?
13:47Yeah, um, there was, um, during the monsoon season we could actually smell the rain coming.
13:54We would run really fast and, you know, find ourselves in the gutters and try and, um, slide
13:59down 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.
14:07It 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 your life for you?
14:24Oh, 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, 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?
15:43Yeah.
15:45It's, that's such an important question, um, because I remember being 16 and hearing that
15:51from, 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.
16:06But in, in this case, so publicly, I remember kind of just going, oh, well, that's, that's
16:12who I am and this is what I look like.
16:15And I'm, I'm okay with it.
16:19Um, Dale.
16:21Hello, Jess.
16:22I'm Dale.
16:23Hi.
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.
16:29Why did you do that and do you think will work out?
16:31Oh, that's a good one.
16:33I've, I've slept on that thought for many nights ever since I, um, officially launched
16:41my, um, independent label, Jay Malley.
16:43For 21 years, I'd spent obviously Sony Music and, and Warner's, um, I tried them both.
16:50And I, I think I got enough knowledge and tips and tools and advice that I felt I could create
16:59my own indie label where that I would have a lot more kind of control over my music.
17:09And I finally just released my first single on it.
17:12So I'm really proud.
17:14Awesome.
17:15Thank you for that.
17:16Anastasia.
17:17Yep.
17:17Hello, Jessica.
17:18Hello.
17:19I'm Anastasia.
17:20Lovely to meet you.
17:20Lovely to meet you.
17:21Um, just a heads up.
17:22Um, I'm also Greek like you're your partner.
17:24So, yes.
17:25You probably get a lot of call outs.
17:28Like for example, somebody would probably scream out, marry me.
17:32When you, when you perform in a concert and when you're on the voice, what is the funniest
17:37call out you have received?
17:40Oh.
17:41Sign my shoe.
17:45Wow.
17:49Literally.
17:49Um.
17:50Oh my God.
17:51And actually I, it was the first time I'd ever experienced it and I was quite shocked
17:56and um, please sign my shoe.
17:58At 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.
18:15That's a really good signature.
18:17Okay.
18:17Um, when you record your stinging in the studio, do you do any silly noises into the mic?
18:23Oh, yes I do.
18:24I do.
18:26Um, one thing that helps, um, clear the kind of mucus in my throat, um, is I go, aww mom.
18:37Aw, mom.
18:38The more kind of like whiny, the more my vocal cords are loose and they're warm and they're
18:47very kind of stretchy.
18:49So it's like, it's, it's, um, aww mom.
18:54Or there's, there's another one that's like, um, peanut, popcorn.
19:01I know it sounds silly, but it works because it just helps the inflections and get the
19:08kind of, you know, yeah, get the gunk out of the throat.
19:12That was really good.
19:14Thank you so much.
19:15Thank you so much.
19:16Evie, would you like to have a go?
19:18Okay.
19:19Um, my name's Evie.
19:21Hi Evie.
19:22I'm Jessica.
19:23Lovely to meet you.
19:24Your music was really important to me growing up.
19:28In 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.
19:40Do you have a song that it, that is especially meaningful to you, whether it be one of your
19:46own songs or another person's song?
19:49Oh, that's a great question.
19:50Um, I've written a lot of songs.
19:55And the ones that you just mentioned, I just felt like I wanted to break out in song.
20:01Um, Inescapable is a really fun one.
20:03I'll be inescapable like a song in your head, unshakable.
20:09Try to fight but you'll be incapable.
20:13You won't get rid of me, rid of me, yeah.
20:18You think you can keep me out.
20:21I'll be all you think about.
20:25My spell will be unbreakable.
20:28You got it.
20:29Yeah.
20:30I'll be inescapable.
20:40Hey Jess.
20:42Hi.
20:42Um, is your creative process chaotic or structured?
20:47Oh, that's a good question.
20:51Um, it sometimes is both.
20:54If I'm not familiar with the person I'm working with, it can be quite scattered.
20:59And, um, 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.
21:13Yeah.
21:13Yeah, it's fair.
21:14Like if you've got that rapport.
21:15Yeah.
21:16Yeah.
21:16Sort of know each other's style.
21:19That's right.
21:20In sync, sort of, I guess.
21:22So, um, do you prefer life now or before fame?
21:26What do you reckon?
21:27Oh, that's a really good one.
21:31Do I prefer life now?
21:34Um, yeah, definitely.
21:38You like now?
21:39Like the life now.
21:40Same.
21:40I think I've been able to like curate and, um, and just have a little bit more control,
21:47I guess, in my adulthood years.
21:49Um, I started very young in the music industry and, you know, at the age of 11.
21:54And so I feel like I very much, yeah, live for now.
21:58Yeah.
21:59Yeah.
22:00I agree.
22:01Doing this, yeah.
22:02Fair enough.
22:03Thanks, Jess.
22:04Yeah.
22:05Thomas.
22:07Hello, Jess.
22:08I'm Thomas.
22:09Um, so out of all of the, um, international artists you've worked with, which one was your
22:14most favourite and why?
22:17I would have to say Midnight Oil.
22:23I think they're so full of knowledge and it was just so nice to be in their presence
22:28and, um, to understand how they work as, as a band and as an artist.
22:32And then obviously growing up, listening to Midnight Oil's music.
22:36I just love their work and what they do in the community.
22:40Hmm.
22:40Did you do any of those Peter Garrett moves?
22:42You know that?
22:43Oh, yeah, right.
22:45I, that's what I was waiting for.
22:47And I got to see a lot of that whilst making the music video.
22:50And so, yeah, there was me going, I love those moves.
22:56Yeah.
22:57So iconic.
22:58Yeah.
22:59Thank you, Thomas.
23:00So Fletcher, you'll go.
23:02Good evening.
23:03My name's Fletcher.
23:04Hi, Fletcher.
23:04Hello.
23:05Now that you have a baby, there must be some days when you just can't be bothered to go
23:09to an event.
23:10What is the worst excuse that you have ever made up just to stay home in your pyjamas?
23:17Oh my gosh.
23:19Fletcher really put you on the spot there.
23:22Oh, that's a really good one.
23:24Um, I'm scared.
23:29I haven't, I don't, I have not used that excuse yet.
23:33Um, but if baby Mia Rae had a blowout.
23:41Maybe.
23:44Lots of autistic people have special interests.
23:47Mine is the Wiggles.
23:49I know everything about them.
23:50If you were lucky enough to be autistic like us, what would your special interests be?
23:57Oh, just collecting things, I think.
24:00Ooh.
24:00I mean, I already do that.
24:02I collect, um, records, vinyls.
24:05Ooh.
24:06So that's something I like and I'd love to like just frame them and make like a shrine
24:11of vinyls on a wall in photo frames.
24:15That's cool.
24:16Yeah.
24:16And thank you, Jess.
24:18Thanks, Fletcher.
24:19I'm Bethany.
24:21Hello, Jess.
24:22I'm Bethany.
24:22Hi, Bethany.
24:23Lovely to meet you.
24:24Lovely to meet you too.
24:25Um, I often think about what people are thinking in their heads as they're walking to work.
24:29Sometimes they look so anxious.
24:31What makes you anxious?
24:34Oh, um, if I don't know what I'm doing or if I, if I've felt like I don't know my
24:41lyrics
24:42enough, but yeah, not knowing my lyrics like makes me very anxious.
24:46That's totally fair.
24:48That's what you do.
24:50Thank you so much.
24:52I'm Mitch.
24:55Hello.
24:56I'm Mitch.
24:57Nice to meet you, Jessica.
24:58Lovely to meet you.
24:59Um, so my first question is, you've taken children's books and rapped the words to them.
25:08Um, and I'm a big fan of rap.
25:11Oh.
25:11And, um, I think you can probably see where I'm heading with this.
25:15Oh.
25:15Could you rap for us now?
25:17Oh, wait, what?
25:18It can be anything.
25:19Yes, yes, yes.
25:22Okay.
25:22I don't know if you know the beginning of a song I wrote called Saturday Night.
25:27But there's a rap artist who performs at the beginning of the song.
25:33And he says, I got my cup filled up all the way to the rim, rim, rim, rim.
25:39Black on black Cadillac with a custom trim, trim, trim, trim.
25:42Smoke filling up my lungs and I'm blowing bubble, bubble, bubble, bubble.
25:46It's Saturday night, let's get in trouble, trouble, trouble, trouble.
25:50Nice!
25:51Woo!
25:52Woo!
25:55I think you can do a better job than I just did, though.
25:59Nice job.
25:59I 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.
26:08Yeah, there was a lot of, kind of, my older sisters leaving myself and my younger sister out.
26:14I wasn't allowed to play any of my, my elder siblings' music.
26:19Um, couldn't touch their stereo.
26:21Couldn't touch their CDs.
26:23But I did.
26:25Yay!
26:26I snuck in somehow.
26:30Thank you, Jessica.
26:31Thank you so much.
26:31Thanks very much, Mitch.
26:33Hey, Jessica.
26:34Ciao here, how you going?
26:35Ciao, lovely to meet you.
26:36Nice to meet you.
26:37Um, we live in a balanced world, especially for those in the First Nations community.
26:43Um, we try things like closing the gap.
26:46Um, 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
26:55say actual change 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
27:13is, their language is, is first language and English is second language.
27:17But I think, um, it does make a difference when that is placed in the curriculum and I hope
27:24to, 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 and I hope that can exist
27:36all across Australia.
27:38Thanks for answering my questions, Jessica.
27:39Thanks.
27:40Cheers.
27:40Andrew.
27:42Hello, Jessica.
27:43I'm Andrew.
27:44Hi, Andrew.
27:44Lovely to meet you.
27:45Um, you had the huge honour of being awarded the Making a Difference Medal for speaking out
27:50against racism and bullying.
27:51I have been bullied throughout my life and I was wondering what did it mean to you personally
27:55and could you talk a bit about your experience growing up?
27:59Wow.
28:00Thank you so much for that question.
28:02Yes.
28:02Yeah, I remember being bullied in high school.
28:06Yes.
28:06Um, 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, uh, referenced
28:19the colour of my skin and, ah, I just felt, um, sad.
28:25Yes, that's not good.
28:27Yeah.
28:27And I ran home and I shared that news with my parents.
28:33Yes.
28:34And my mum looks at me and says, there's gonna be people that, you know, will like you and
28:39will not like you.
28:40Wow.
28:40But you have to love yourself.
28:42Be kind to yourself.
28:44You know, she says you are beautiful just the way you are.
28:47Um, keep your head tall.
28:49That's right.
28:50And, um, yeah, just, uh, know how strong.
28:52Yes, we are beautiful, Jessica.
28:53Yes.
28:54We 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.
29:08That's right.
29:11Going mud crabbing.
29:12Yes.
29:12Um, 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.
29:19Oh, amazing.
29:20And in the murky, you know, brown water and you might just get one crab.
29:25But, um, we, we would always come home with something and food on the table and mum would
29:30prepare the food and.
29:31Oh, that's cool.
29:32Yeah.
29:33So that's, that's something I feel like has really shaped, shaped me.
29:36Yeah.
29:37Well, 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.
29:49You also supported The Voice, Parliament, which Australia rejected.
29:53How do you make sense of a nation that celebrates your voice when you sing, but resists your
29:58voice 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
30:08of, you 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.
30:26And it's important to obviously find a solution.
30:30Thank you very much.
30:31Pat.
30:32Hello, Jessica.
30:33I'm Pat.
30:34Hi, Pat.
30:34Nice to meet you.
30:35Lovely to meet you.
30:35I 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, 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.
31:00So, 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.
31:19Oh, well, no.
31:21Well, that, that's good.
31:22Your, your purpose built for kids.
31:23Yes.
31:25Well, thank you.
31:25Thank you so much.
31:26Silas.
31:29Hi, I'm Silas.
31:31Hi, Silas.
31:31Lovely to meet you.
31:33Yes.
31:33What 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.
31:43I have never, I've, um, well, that's a really good question.
31:51Oh, you got me.
31:53You really got me.
31:56Um, 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, you know, and, and witness her grow and become the person that she, she wants to
32:23be in this life.
32:24So yeah, that's, that's something that I, um, I have intention to live, to watch that.
32:31Yeah.
32:31Yeah.
32:32What, what do you most want to teach her?
32:34Oh, that's a really good, this is very good.
32:38You got me.
32:39Um, uh, I, I just, I want to be able to teach her kindness, um, and love firsthand, you know.
32:49Yeah.
32:49Um, 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.
32:58Ah, you know, I feel like I have a, a new perspective on how I look at life, particularly through,
33:06through Mia Rae.
33:07I'm just living in the moment with her.
33:10I'm, I feel like I'm always constantly creating melody in front of her and she's just gazing at me with
33:18wide eyes and thinking that's really familiar.
33:21And I sung a lot when I was carrying her.
33:24I was still, I was touring and I was making music.
33:27So I think maybe she is really familiar with those sounds.
33:32And when I hum or when there's vibration that happens, she's, she just, she really turns her neck and she's
33:40like breaking her neck to look at me.
33:41And, you know, just an awe of when I'm singing and it's just really beautiful right now.
33:49Yeah.
33:50Well, um, you never know.
33:51Well, maybe your next album might be nursery rhymes or lullabies.
33:55There you go.
33:57That's the next album.
33:59Okay.
34:00Great.
34:01Well, thank you, Jess.
34:02Daniel.
34:03Alrighty.
34:04Hello.
34:05Hello.
34:06All right.
34:07So I know, I've got to compose myself.
34:13Me too.
34:14Uh, I know you're a singer, but you're also an actor.
34:17How did you end up as an actor as well as a singer?
34:21And do you enjoy acting?
34:25Oh, I sometimes think about that.
34:27Uh, how did I land any of those roles?
34:31I do love acting.
34:33When I first had my audition for the role of Rosie in Brand New Day.
34:40I'd never done like an audition like that.
34:42I'd done music auditions, but this was like reading a script and then having to memorize
34:48it.
34:48It was a little bit of awkwardness.
34:50I didn't know how to be, but I remember the lady behind the camera.
34:54She's like, just, just relax.
34:56And I was like, I don't know how to relax.
34:59This is awkward.
35:00There's so many people behind the camera.
35:02Um, and I just remember, okay, just, you know, think of it as like, if you were singing,
35:08there's a rhythm in, in projecting a line, um, to someone.
35:14But I, yeah, that first kind of taste, I was like, I'm in.
35:20I want to be in more films.
35:21If a script landed in my lap, you know, today, I would read it and then I would go and
35:26audition.
35:27Yeah.
35:27Yeah.
35:28All right.
35:29Um, my second question is, well, from what I've heard, the music industry can be very brutal.
35:34We have lost some famous singers due to mental illness, depression, alcohol, and drug addiction.
35:40How have you managed the low points in your career?
35:44Oh, wow.
35:46There is a side to the music industry that, um, can be sad and brutal.
35:52Hmm.
35:53I think upholding a strong connection with my family and an open conversation, you know, they've given me a lot
35:59of advice along the way.
36:00And I feel like that's given me a lot of clarity to remain strong and go about how I, you
36:06know, represent myself and how I connect with other people in the music industry.
36:11That's really, really lovely.
36:13Yeah.
36:14Um, some are visual artists.
36:16Um, I've done something for you.
36:19No, you.
36:19What do we even?
36:20Yeah, I have done, I have done a portrait of you.
36:24Wait, what?
36:24And I want to give it to you.
36:26Oh.
36:27Here you go.
36:28Oh.
36:31Oh.
36:32Oh.
36:33Oh.
36:33Oh.
36:34Oh.
36:34Wow.
36:34You did this.
36:36Yes.
36:36This is absolutely beautiful.
36:40Oh, my gosh.
36:41My eyes.
36:43My eyebrows.
36:45Yeah.
36:46And my hair.
36:48Yeah.
36:49Oh, no, it's so beautiful.
36:51Thank you so much.
36:52I'm going to get emotional and I don't want to get emotional.
36:55But thank you so much.
36:56Would you like a hug?
36:56I would love a hug.
36:57I would love a hug.
36:59Awe.
37:00Awe.
37:01It's, uh, it's one thing to look at yourself in the mirror, but then having something from
37:06your perspective.
37:07This is really special.
37:08I can't wait to frame it and put it amongst my, my vinyls.
37:13I made you cry, I think.
37:15Oh, you did.
37:16I'm a somber.
37:18Thank you so much.
37:20Oh, my gosh.
37:22Oh.
37:26I've been listening to your music all week.
37:29Oh.
37:30Can you please sing us one of your songs for us?
37:34Like, like, uh, perform?
37:37Yeah, there's a piano right there.
37:38Yeah, look behind you.
37:39What's behind you?
37:41Surprise!
37:42James!
37:43Shall I stand up?
37:45Yes.
37:46It's just here.
37:46Oh, wow.
37:47We have a mic stand.
37:55You've got this, Jess.
37:57I'm sorry.
37:58I'm a mess already.
38:01Is that crazy?
38:03No, not at all.
38:03I feel the same way.
38:04What's happening?
38:08It's all right.
38:18I just want to say thank you so much for allowing me to, or sharing your space to have me
38:24here
38:24today.
38:25And, um, it's been so wonderful.
38:28And, uh, my heart is so full right now.
38:35And I thank you all for just giving me that.
38:38Oh.
38:40Even if you didn't know you did, but you did.
38:44Um, and for sharing music too, because that's my love.
38:49That's my first love.
39:00You don't say I'm pretty Not like you used to
39:10And I never admit it I'm trying so hard for you
39:19Cause all of the moments are treasured
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
39:41And I watch you keep missing them
39:45You don't get why it's kidding me
39:49Every time you mess this up
39:53Send myself on fire to keep us warm
39:59Swear I lose my mind
40:01Watching you ignore all the little things
40:08The little things
40:11Mean so much more
40:15So 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
40:26Just amazing
40:27I don't mean
40:28Just cause you're angry
40:33I could feel like the energy
40:36Like this open vulnerability around everyone
40:40It was amazing to see
40:42I make big things out of little things
40:47And I watch you keep missing them
40:51You don't get why it's kidding me
40:56Every time you mess it up
41:00Set myself on fire to keep us warm
41:05Swear I lose my mind
41:07Watching you ignore all the little things
41:13The little things mean so much more
41:21Yeah they mean so much more
41:28Bravo, bravo, bravo, bravo, bravo
41:31This is our Beaton ladies and gentlemen
41:35Thank you
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
41:47Thank you
41:48Oh my gosh
41:49Can I just get a hug?
41:50Oh my gosh
41:52It was so lovely
41:53I'm going to close your mama get a hug
41:55Oh Abby this dress
41:57Thank you
41:58Is giving me so much
41:59Thank you Jess
42:03Thank you so much
42:05It was awesome
42:06I can't believe you're just in front of my eyes
42:07Oh yeah
42:08Yeah I know
42:09And same to you like from me
42:12Thank you
42:12It's been an honour to meet you
42:14No
42:14And you've been such a kind heart
42:16Thank you
42:16And likewise
42:17Thank you so much
42:18That's awesome
42:19I really loved the performance
42:21It made me
42:21It made me cry
42:23If I had more serotonin to meet
42:25I would be crying too
42:26Thank you so much
42:27I think we were all emotional
42:28Oh 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
42:53No 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?
43:13Sorry
43:13You wouldn't want to ask that
43:15And you could get me busted
43:17Yeah
43:19He did
43:44That was of course
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