Paulini Curuenavuli was barely in her 20s when she first appeared on Australian Idol, setting the course to stardom as she went on to release a number one debut album, join forces with the Young Divas, star in The Bodyguard musical and compete on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here. Amongst other things. Now, she’s taking on the world’s favourite singing competition as she vies for a spot in Eurovision.
WATCH: Eurovision – Australia Decides’ artists announced
The 39-year-old singer is competing alongside the likes of Jaguar Jonze and Sheldon Riley in the upcoming Eurovision – Aus Decides event, for the chance to represent Australia at Eurovision this year.
For fans who’ve been along for the ride since her Australian Idol days, it’s a joy to know Paulini is still in love with music and keen to try something new 19 years after she burst onto the scene.
“Oh gosh, you’ll make me feel old!” she laughs when we talk about watching her on-screen back in 2003, adding: “I’m always going to be thankful for Aussie Idol, that’s where I started.”
We caught up with Paulini ahead of Eurovision – Australia Decides, to ask her all about the famously quirky singing competition and her career highlights so far.
Eurovision is such a fun and quirky singing competition, what made you want to sign on for Australia Decides?
I had basically known of Eurovision for a long time and I’ve watched my other peers perform – like Jessica Mauboy, Guy Sebastian and Dami Im – it’s been great to see how Australia has evolved. The talent we’re sending over there is incredible.
I got a phone call from the team and they basically said would you like to be involved in Australia Decides and I was like, what?! I didn’t need a few minutes or days to think about it, I was just like 100 percent. I’m so thrilled that I get to be a part of it and I can’t wait to get on stage and perform. And to actually get to meet and to know the other artists, to watch all of their performances on the day, is going to be great.
Absolutely, one of the things you notice watching Eurovision is that sense of comradery between the artists…
I did watch last year and I loved it. You’re so right about the friendships, you could tell people were so encouraging of each other and there was no competition. People are just happy to be a part of it. One thing I do love about Eurovision is that it gives permission to these artists just to be themselves and I think that’s so important, now more than ever.
Not to make us both feel old again, but it’s been almost 20 years since you first appeared on Australian Idol. When you reflect back on that experience and how far you’ve come, what do you think?
I love it [laughs]. I’m always going to be thankful for Aussie Idol, that’s where I started. That really gave me a platform to get out there and do my thing and I’ll always be thankful for that. And I love that I made such amazing friends on that show, who I still talk to and support now. The beautiful thing about that whole experience is that it taught me so much, you know, being under that kind of pressure, really taught us a lot. We got a taste of what the music industry would be like and I’m so grateful for that kind of experience and exposure, it’s not something you can just get anywhere.
I can only speak for myself, but I am so grateful for that experience, and from that I got an amazing record deal with Sony at the time. I got to work with such amazing producers, writers and other artists. There were major ups and major downs [laughs] but I got through it and I think that one of the most important things people need to remember is that you need to have an amazing team around you, every time. And when I say that I mean family, good friends, that’s what is going to keep you level headed and they’re the ones who are going to tell you the truth about when to pull your head in and when to go for it. They are the ones who will support you through it.
Yeah, I really can’t complain about how my career has turned out and one thing I have learnt from my time in the music industry is that you have to take every opportunity. You have to not be fearful of getting into other areas of the entertainment industry, like acting or dancing. Those are things you need to do, to try.
Speaking of dancing, we’ve seen your Instagram posts about rehearsing for Eurovision. Will there be some choreography on Saturday night?
Yes, we are in rehearsal mode! I have been rehearsing an hour every day really to get myself show fit. I’ve been working with an amazing choreographer and my movement coach, just to get my fitness up. I want the routine to be in me, you know what I mean? I don’t want to have to think about it. So we’ve been working on movement and working on my vocals while we do, because every time we perform this it’s going to be live. It’s completely 100 percent live and it’s exciting. We’ve all had our own input on what I should do. I’m not a dancer so, for me, having to get into that area is a bit of a challenge but I love to push myself and you’re going to see that.
It’s so interesting to hear about getting “show fit” – it’s honestly something we’ve wondered about. For us regular folk it’s like you get out on the dance floor on a night out and you’re out of breath, how do artists do it?!
Absolutely! That’s the worst [laughs] you’re so right. It’s so funny because to get ready… I actually try to run on the treadmill while I sing the song. I’ve done it before, I did it for Bodyguard and it really does help. I say that so lightly, it majorly helps. The vocal stamina and strength that you build doing that is insane.
Maybe we need to give that a try some time…
Exactly! Then you’ll be on the dance floor, singing along [laughs].
More than 700 songs were submitted for Eurovision – Australia Decides. How did you pick one?
I got sent this song along with – I think I got five others that were also amazing – but as soon as I heard We Are One I was like okay, that’s my song. And there were bits of it that didn’t fit in with me so I had to have a chat with the writers, who were Rick Price and John Capek, amazing writers. And I basically thought this was the song I was going to choose, it stood out to me and I loved the lyrics. It was something that, if we can encourage one another and be reminded that we’re all one and we need to lead with love and kindness, then why not?
We also completely changed the track, Andy Mak and his brother pretty much created the track. What you hear now is nothing like what the original was. It was more old-school than what it is now, there were some musical instruments in there that we thought weren’t going to work for Eurovision. So we had to get rid of that but what I wanted to keep was the melodic line and lyrics.
We’re really happy with it. We didn’t want it to sound too pop or R&B – we wanted it to sound universal, and I think we kind of got there.
As you approach 20 years in the spotlight there are some pretty impressive achievements on your resume. Do you have a proudest moment in the industry?
One of my proudest moments, one of, would be getting the opportunity to play Rachel Marron in The Bodyguard, who Whitney Houston played in the movie. That was definitely one of the highlights for me. Being a part of Young Divas and getting to tour with that album with the girls. Getting signed to a major record label, that’s big for me! Never in my wildest dreams, being this Fijian girl who moved over here when she was four, never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d get a record deal so that’s another major highlight.
One other one would just be getting to perform in front of the Pope when he was here – myself and Guy [Sebastian], that was massive. I remember being at the racecourse and there was a sea of people and it was just insane. And it’s the same as the AFL Grand Final, when we did that… I’ve never, ever experienced anything else like it but it was glorious. I was nervous, excited, I thought I was going to have a heart attack, all at the same time.
That’s a huge crowd, massive, to perform in front of. Do you find in moments like that you still need to pinch yourself?
Yes, 100 percent. I’m still kind of pinching myself that I’m going to be part of Australia Decides. I am. I guess I try to stay as humble and down to earth as I can, so I feel like when those opportunities come to me, I’m like oh my gosh is that actually really happening to me? Still? I love it.
Eurovision – Australia Decides will be broadcast live on Saturday, February 26 at 7:30pm (AEDT). Watch live on SBS and SBS On Demand.
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