Jessica Mauboy: ‘Why did I do a kookaburra call for Ellen DeGeneres? Did I think that was cool?’
The singer and host of That Blackfella Show on her most controversial pop culture opinion, her go-to karaoke song and being recognised by police while getting a ticket
As a kid, your family encouraged you to sing by signing you up for karaoke at the Darwin airport hotel. What is your go-to karaoke song?
Girls Just Want to Have Fun by Cyndi Lauper. Or Love Is a Battlefield. The 80s was on fire sonically. I just love that period of production and sound. It’s so extra, it really brings out the extra in me
You’re hosting thisyear’s That Blackfella Show, Australia’s firstFirst Nations variety program. How’d you feel getting that call?
Oh, the impostor syndrome was real. But I told Jessica to leave the body and bring Jess back and I said, “Abso-freaking-heck yeah.” I’ve not done anything like this before but it felt very familiar. It felt like going back up north again [to Darwin, on Larrakia country] and meeting different black mob. This show is celebrating the oldest living culture in the world – that got me emotional. This is what it’s about
I was really proud because all I’ve ever really dedicated myself to is music. But once I was there I was like, oh my gosh, this is a breeze! Why did I put myself through all that? Why did I take myself to kingdom come and around the moon and back?
What is the strangest place you have been recognised?
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While pulled over by police. I was freaking out, while also going, “Yeah, I’m Jess Mauboy! That’s me!” And they were like, “Oh can I get a photo?” while I’m literally getting out of the car. They’d just written me a ticket but they want a photo. I was just like, “Well, yay, I’m not going to jail!”
Wait – they still gave you a ticket even though you did a photo?
Well, yeah, it’s the law. It taught me a lesson. I’ve never done it again, I keep to the speed!
What book, album or film do you always return to and why?
Mariah Carey’s MTV Unplugged. Seeing her in her purest form – singing with this incredible, exquisite band of musicians and her bantering with the audience – just gave me life. She can do it all! She’s my perfect dream diva
Which First Nations musicians are you particularly excited about right now?
I literally fangirled over Drifting Clouds [who will perform on That Blackfella Show]. Being able to talk to Terry Guyula … you know, I grew up with friends who are Yolngu and from Arnhem Land, I grew up listening to Yothu Yindi. Terry comes from there and he’s now going to be the next generation of sharing that knowledge and that story
I also fangirl over Barkaa! She’s so intelligent and powerful. She really speaks from who she is and where she’s come from, but she also lifts mob up. I admire that so much because I never really had that. I had to just be that in the world of pop music as a First Nations person coming up in 2009, I didn’t have sistergirls like her encouraging that then. I had to pave that pathway. I am so proud to see Barkaa and Miss Kaninna being that force
What are you secretly really good at?
I love painting and drawing. Ever since I was a kid. I mainly use acrylics. One day I’ll get the courage to share it. I showed one of my paintings during a song on my 2017 tour – but man, did I have to build up the courage to put that in
Which song by another artist do you wish you’d recorded or written yourself?
I think it has to be I Will Always Love You – obviously but the version performed by Whitney Houston. I would have loved to be in the room when that song was made, with Dolly
What’s the most chaotic thing that’s happened to you on stage?
It was back in 2009 when I was on one of my first tours. I did a costume change and came back on stage to sing this ballad. And I was made aware by a few people in the front row that my fly was down. I was literally baring all. I remember turning around – still singing, by the way – with the mic tucked into my elbow so I could zip myself up. It was hilarious. We had to start the song again because I was fumbling. But we all laughed about it together. It made me realise nothing has to be perfect. The show will go on. Once I do my fly up.
What is your most controversial pop culture opinion?
What rubs me the wrong way is the sound of hip-hop and rap right now. It’s not the same as I remember it being. Rap is always going to evolve: Tupac and Wu-Tang to Coolio and LL Cool J to Nelly and Ja Rule; that was a total transformation of hip-hop and rap that I experienced. But I don’t remember it being [mumbles some rap sounds]. I don’t remember it being this slurry. Some rappers sound like they’re mumbling in their sleep. I’m not on board with that
Everyone’s trying to copy Kendrick, right?
Yeah, but at least he articulates! This slurring rap, I just can’t. It’ll fall off; they’ll wake up and realise they’ve been sleep talking. Oh, people are going to hate me for that!
What has been your most cringe-worthy run-in with a celebrity?
The most embarrassing was obviously doing a kookaburra call for Ellen DeGeneres when I was on her show in 2013. Like, why did I do a bird call? Out of all the tricks and the singing ability that I have, I chose a bird call to show her? Did I think that was cool?
How did she react?
She tried doing the bird call back to me. That made me feel much better because I wasn’t in it alone. You know what I’m going to be doing after this, right? I’m going to be watching that back. So embarrassing
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That Blackfella Show with Jessica Mauboy airs on Wednesday 8 July at 9.10pm on ABC TV and ABC iview. Mauboy’s The Story of Me tour is heading to Hobart, Brisbane, Canberra, Geelong and Melbourne later this year
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