JESSICA MAUBOY

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

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

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

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!

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.

My father is Indonesian Timorese, my mother Aboriginal Australian.

When I was growing up, every Sunday was a rest day, so after church, we'd get all my cousins and sisters together, and my parents would take us all shop hopping. We'd go to all the different shops, and Target was always the last on the list; we'd walk in, and Mum would say, 'Go on, go crazy!'

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.

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

I love to kick back at home with some good food, friends, & family and watch DVDs!

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.'

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.

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

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

Obviously, my Indigenous culture is very special to me.

Country music is who I really, really am deeply.

I like to paint - I love arts and crafts.

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

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

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

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.

I would definitely be open to more films if the role was right. I haven't thought about a move to Hollywood, but if there was a good opportunity, and it happened that way, then I would definitely consider it!

The storytelling in country music is so powerful.

We have incredible record labels in Australia, but sometimes they have a preconceived idea of how to do things.

Before every performance, you need at least half an hour to focus on what you are about to do: the walk-on and walk-off, the lyrics, how you are going to sing it - like, the original or bring your own personal flavour to it - how are you going to make it the best.