Quotes from Jessica Mauboy

I like to paint - I love arts and crafts.

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

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

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

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

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

Country music is who I really, really am deeply.

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

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

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 like to branch across a lot of different styles and brands in the way I dress; it's just the way my style works. So I love that I can walk into a Target store and think, 'Oh my God, I love these jeans,' and then I'll pair them with something designer.

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.

Eurovision is a wonderfully joyous and unique event.

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!

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.

Obviously, my Indigenous culture is very special to me.

I have written with some amazing singers and songwriters - the moment with Snoop Dogg was amazing - but being able to tell an Aboriginal story is bigger than anything that I have ever known.

Getting up and having the courage to share with people, all people, and even just being asked to sing, first of all, that's all part of how I express my identity.

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.

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.'

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

The storytelling in country music is so powerful.

I like to go for a run - it really clears my head and releases any stress from the day.