THE WOMEN WHO MADE ME JESSICA MAUBOY

The award-winning artist looks back at her earliest influences

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THERESE MAUBOY

Growing up, my mum was never embarrassed or scared to show her sensitive side or vulnerability, but she was still tough. I think losing her own mum at 10 years old meant she had to be. It means that she is boisterous about what she believes in and stands for. One day when I was about 11, I came home from school and I could hear my mum and aunties talking about a singing competition. I overheard her say that she wasn’t going to tell my dad. My dad wasn’t really into taking me to things to perform but my mum saw the potential in me and realised that I really loved it.