It’s been a year of disappointments for Samantha Jade.
But after the COVID-19 pandemic forced the 33-year-old singer to cancel her July tour, and postpone her wedding to fiancé Pat Handlin, Jade admits she’s ready to let her hair down and have some fun. Which is why the star thinks now is the perfect time to release her single New Boy.
WATCH BELOW: Samantha Jade wins The X Factor 2012
“When I was writing it, all I could see were people dancing on the beach or driving in a car with the wind in their hair. It has a real summery feel to it,” she tells WHO of the upbeat new dance track.
“It’s about finding something new. A new boy, or a girl, or even a whole new lease on life. Everyone looks for a new start during the summer, especially this year.”
You’ve been dropping a few tracks recently. Does that mean there might be a new album coming out soon?
Yes. I was supposed to bring one out at the start of this year, but with everything that happened, it just didn’t feel right. As time went on, I wanted to put something out that really reflected the current times and what I’d learned from it. So I used the extra time as an opportunity to head back into the studio and finesse some of the lyrics and melodies.
So will this album have a different sound?
It’s still pop, but has more of an R’n’B influence. This album is definitely the most honest lyrically that I have ever done. I’m 33 now and at an age where I’ve seen things and dealt with a few things. I’ve grown up so much and I feel like I was writing from a much more adult place.
You had to postpone your wedding this year. What are your plans now?
We took our time to just enjoy being engaged and didn’t start planning for quite a while. But once we did, I found a venue and a dress quite quickly and started to get very excited. Then coronavirus hit and everything started shutting down.
It was really upsetting but it’s just one of those things. We were supposed to get married in October and haven’t looked at rescheduling while Western Australia remained shut.
My mum and dad still live there and all my childhood friends – I can’t get married without them. We’re just waiting to see what happens.
On the bright side, you welcomed a new addition …
Banksy is the best thing we’ve ever done. We both really wanted a dog. I said to Pat earlier this year, “I hope my birthday present barks,” and I was sending him pics of puppies. One day he said, “Let’s just do it,” and we got Banksy.
It’s been so good having an adorable puppy. He’s really been the connectivity and joy we’ve been longing for over this period. He’s always so happy when we get home and has the best energy.
It’s been eight years since you won The X Factor Australia. What advice would you give your younger self?
I would give myself a big hug and say don’t be so hard on yourself. I’d let the younger me know that everything is going to work out because, weirdly, somehow it did.
What are you looking forward to in 2021?
Hopefully, my wedding – and the album coming out!
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