Paulini Curuenavuli
Encyclopedia
Paulini Curuenavuli commonly known as Paulini, is an Australian R&B
/pop
singer-songwriter and actress who rose to fame as a contestant of the first season
of the television series, Australian Idol
in 2003.
In 2004, she released her debut single "Angel Eyes
", which peaked at number one on the ARIA Singles Chart
certified platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association
. Subsequently, she released her debut album, One Determined Heart
, which debuted at number one on the ARIA Albums Chart
and also certified platinum. It garnered Paulini two ARIA #1 Chart Awards
in 2004, as well as an ARIA nomination for
"Highest Selling Single" for "Angel Eyes", at the 2004 ARIA Music Awards
. In 2006, she released her second studio album, Superwoman
, which featured the singles, "Rough Day
" and "So Over You
". The album received two nominations at the Urban Music Awards
in 2007. During this time, Paulini joined the multi-platinum selling girl group, Young Divas
, before disbanding in 2008 to resume their solo careers.
in 1982, Paulini moved to Sydney
with her family when she was four years old. At six years of age, she was already singing in her local choir. In 1990 Paulini's brother was shot and killed during a robbery incident. In 1997, she was placed into a talent development program at her high school, Bankstown Girls High School
. Paulini entered the televised talent contest StarStruck
, winning the contest. Following the show, Paulini recorded a track, "When You Believe
" for the program's CD. With the involvement of her high-school music department, Paulini was also a participant on ABC's live Schools Spectacular
concerts. In 2001, she formed a band called MIXX, which included her two sisters, Sereima Curuenavuli and Litia Curuenavuli. At the same time she began cutting demos as a solo artist. In 2003, Paulini was invited by the South Pacific Games
team in Fiji to open their competition. She recorded the show's anthem, "Many Rhythms, One Love," for the Games' official album, The Pacific at Its Best.
During this time, Paulini auditioned for the first season
of Australian Idol
. She earned praise from the judges for performing songs by Aretha Franklin
, Barbra Streisand
, Thelma Houston
, and Toni Braxton
. In the "final five" week, Paulini wore a gold dress designed for her by Charlie Brown. Judge Ian "Dicko" Dickson commented on the dress saying "You should choose more appropriate clothes or shed some pounds", which resulted in a great deal of debate and controversy in the media relating to teenage girls and anorexia. In the "final four" week, Paulini landed in the bottom two with fellow finalist Cosima De Vito
. It was then announced she was eliminated. In a poll taken on Australian Idol, Paulini's elimination was the second most surprising elimination ever.
, who had previously collaborated with Delta Goodrem
. The album was mainly a collection of covers, featuring only two original tracks, "One Determined Heart" and "We Can Try
", with the former bearing the same name as the title of the album. The first single released from the album was a cover of Canadian Jeff Healey
's 1988 hit, "Angel Eyes". The song was an instant success, peaking at number one on the ARIA Singles Chart
for three non-consecutive weeks, and certified platinum. It remained in the top ten for almost three months, and became the fourth best-selling single of 2004 in Australia.
In late July 2004, the album, One Determined Heart
was officially released. It debuted at number one on the ARIA Albums Chart
and remained at its peak position for two weeks, earning Paulini a platinum certification by the Australian Recording Industry Association
. The second single from the album was "We Can Try
", which peaked at number thirty on the ARIA Singles Chart
and at number nine on the ARIA Urban Singles Chart
. Paulini received two ARIA #1 Chart Awards
for "Angels Eyes" and album reaching number one. "Angel Eyes" also received an ARIA nomination for "Highest Selling Single" at the 2004 ARIA Music Awards
.
In November 2004, Paulini released a Christmas EP
titled, Amazing Grace: Songs for Christmas
. The EP peaked at only number seventy on the ARIA Albums Chart
. The album reached the top ten on the ARIA Urban Albums Chart
and peaked in the top five of the Australian Artists Albums Chart
. During this time, she toured with Tina Arena
, across Australia as her support act. On 26 November 2004, Paulini made her first television guest appearance on the Australian drama series, Home and Away
. During an episode of the show, she performed two songs, "We Can Try" and "Silent Night
". In May 2005, Paulini became a support act for Guy Sebastian
on his Beautiful Life Tour.
, in the United Kingdom
, Los Angeles
and Spain
. However, her record company decided to wait nearly eighteen months before releasing it. The first single from the then still unreleased album was "Rough Day
". It debuted at number three on the ARIA Dance Singles Chart
and at number twenty-six on the ARIA Singles Chart
. The second single issued, while the album was still unreleased, was "So Over You
". It only managed to reach number forty-nine, but made it to number thirteen on the ARIA Urban Singles Chart
. In May 2006, Paulini became a mentor on the first series of the celebrity singing show, It Takes Two. She was a mentor for television presenter, Simon Reeve
. Her second album was then released on 5 August 2006. The album failed to achieve the commercial success of her debut album, peaking at number seventy-two on the ARIA Album Charts
and failed to earn any chart certificates. The third single from the album, "I Believe", was used as a promotional tool for the album and only saw a limited release.
During this time, Paulini's record company had asked her to be part of an all-girl band concept, under the name, Young Divas
. The girl band included previous Idol contestants, Emily Williams
, Ricki-Lee Coulter
and Kate DeAraugo
. The concept was based around a one-off single and a concert tour to promote all four artists as solo singers. In May 2006, the group released their debut single, "This Time I Know It's For Real
", in support of the tour. The song was a commercial success, peaking at number two on the ARIA Singles Chart
and certified platinum. They released their second single, "Happenin' All over Again
", in November 2006. It peaked at number nine and certified gold. The group's success prompted the release of a debut album of classic disco and pop covers titled, Young Divas
on 18 November 2006. It debuted at number four on the ARIA Albums Chart
and certified double platinum by the ARIA
.
In May 2007, Paulini returned for the second series of It Takes Two and was a mentor for actor Lochie Daddo
. In June 2007, it was announced that founding member of Young Divas, Ricki-Lee Coulter
, had left the group to resume her solo career. She was later replaced by season four Idol runner-up, Jessica Mauboy
. In November 2007, the group released their second studio album, New Attitude
, which spawned the top fifteen single, "Turn Me Loose". The album peaked at number ten on the ARIA Albums Chart
and certified gold. Throughout 2008, Paulini continued working as a solo artist. She took the lead female vocalist role in the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra
production of the "Gospel Messiah", alongside James Morrison
and Doug Parkinson. In July 2008, Paulini featured on the song, "Receive the Power
", with Guy Sebastian
. The song was chosen as the official anthem for the Roman Catholic Church
's XXIII (2008) World Youth Day
held in Sydney
. In August 2008, it was announced that Paulini had left the Young Divas
to resume her solo career. At the same time, Mauboy also decided to quit, leaving DeAraugo and Williams as the only remaining members. In 2009, it was announced that Williams and DeAraugo resumed their solo careers and the group officially disbanded.
to work with various producers and songwriters of who she had never previously worked with before. In an interview with Auspop, Paulini revealed the album's style to be mainly contemporary pop
. About the album she said, "So it’s still very commercial – a very new sound. Kinda like a Jordin Sparks
kind of thing. All of the songs on there I’ve co-written or written. I’m really excited about it. It’s something that’s very close to me, because I’ve been a big part of it since day one."
In November 2009, Paulini released a new single, "Scarless
" through Albert Music. The song was initially released to help raise awareness and support for White Ribbon
Campaign. In November 2010, she appeared in the telemovie, Sisters of War
, playing the role of the nun, Sister Marie. During this time, Paulini recorded the duet, "Believe Again
", with Irish
singer Ronan Keating
for his seventh studio album, Duet
. The song managed to reach a peak of number seventy-three on the ARIA Singles Chart
.
& Friends Concert", raising funds for the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre Appeal and the "Beneath The Stars" event. In 2008 Paulini visited the Sydney Children's Hospital, performing in the Starlight express room. She also regularly performs at the annual Christmas Carol events, such as Carols in the Domain
, Vision Australia's Carols By Candlelight
and Brisbane
's Carols in the City
, where performers donate their time to raise money for various charities.
In June 2010, Paulini became an ambassador for The Global Good Foundation, a charity campaigning against domestic violence. On 9 August 2010 she performed at the "Dueting for the Kids" concert held at the State Theatre
in Sydney
where she performed a duet with Leo Sayer
, singing his major hit, "You Make Me Feel Like Dancing
", as well as dueting with Mark Williams
on a song entitled "Crazy". All proceeds of the concert went to the "Australian Children's Music Foundation".
star, Wes Naiqama
. The relationship soon ended with claims Naiqama assaulted her. In 2009, Paulini released a single about it titled, "Scarless
". However, she refuses to speak about Naiqama by name, but stated the song was written to help other victims who have been through domestic violence
Contemporary R&B
Contemporary R&B is a music genre that combines elements of hip hop, soul, R&B and funk.Although the abbreviation “R&B” originates from traditional rhythm and blues music, today the term R&B is most often used to describe a style of African American music originating after the demise of disco in...
/pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
singer-songwriter and actress who rose to fame as a contestant of the first season
Australian Idol (season 1)
The first season of Australian Idol was produced by Fremantle Media subsidiary Grundy Television in association with UK company 19TV, and was broadcast on Network Ten for 19 weeks in the latter half of 2003...
of the television series, Australian Idol
Australian Idol
Australian Idol is a Logie Award-winning Australian singing competition, which began its first season on July 2003 and ended its run in November 2009. As part of the Idol franchise, Australian Idol originated from the reality program Pop Idol, which was created by British entertainment executive...
in 2003.
In 2004, she released her debut single "Angel Eyes
Angel Eyes (Paulini song)
"Angel Eyes" is a song written by John Hiatt and Fred Koller, produced by Greg Ladanyi for The Jeff Healey Band's first album See the Light . It was first released as the album's second single in June 1989 and peaked at number five on the Billboard Hot 100 and twenty-four on the Billboard 's...
", which peaked at number one on the ARIA Singles Chart
ARIA Charts
The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June...
certified platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association
Australian Recording Industry Association
The Australian Recording Industry Association is a trade group representing the Australian recording industry which was established in 1983 by six major record companies, EMI, Festival, CBS, RCA, WEA and Universal replacing the Association of Australian Record Manufacturers which was formed in 1956...
. Subsequently, she released her debut album, One Determined Heart
One Determined Heart
One Determined Heart is the debut studio album by Australian singer Paulini, released in Australia on 23 July 2004. The album was produced by Audius Mtawarira and has a genre of R&B & pop songs. The album mainly cover songs including some by Jeff Healey, TLC, The Four Tops, Barbra Streisand, Jeff...
, which debuted at number one on the ARIA Albums Chart
ARIA Charts
The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June...
and also certified platinum. It garnered Paulini two ARIA #1 Chart Awards
ARIA Music Awards
The Australian Recording Industry Association Music Awards is an annual series of awards nights celebrating the Australian music industry, put on by the Australian Recording Industry Association...
in 2004, as well as an ARIA nomination for
"Highest Selling Single" for "Angel Eyes", at the 2004 ARIA Music Awards
ARIA Music Awards of 2004
The 18th Annual Australian Recording Industry Association Music Awards were held on 17 October 2004 at the Sydney Superdome within the Sydney Olympic Complex...
. In 2006, she released her second studio album, Superwoman
Superwoman (album)
Superwoman is the second studio album by Australian singer Paulini. It was released physically and digitally on 5 August 2006 and contains the lead single, "Rough Day" and the second, "So Over You".-Writing and development:...
, which featured the singles, "Rough Day
Rough Day
"Rough Day" is the lead single released from Australian singer Paulini's second studio album, Superwoman. The song was written by Bridget Benenate, Matthew Gerrard and Franne Golde and produced by Audius Mtawarira. It was released physically on 22 January 2006-Music video:The music video was...
" and "So Over You
So Over You
"So Over You" is the second single released from Australian singer, Paulini's second studio album, Superwoman. The song written by Nigel Butler, Paulini, Ray Hedges, Andy Love and Jarrad Rogers and was produced by Hedges...
". The album received two nominations at the Urban Music Awards
Urban Music Awards Australia and New Zealand 2006
The first annual Urban Music Awards were presented by Jazzy Jeff and Kurtis Blow Sydney’s Homebush State Sports Centre on Friday 21 July 2007...
in 2007. During this time, Paulini joined the multi-platinum selling girl group, Young Divas
Young Divas
Young Divas was an Australian girl group that had consisted of previous Australian Idol contestants. The original line up consisted of season one finalist Paulini Curuenavuli, season two finalist Ricki-Lee Coulter, season three winner Kate DeAraugo and runner-up Emily Williams...
, before disbanding in 2008 to resume their solo careers.
Early life, beginnings and Australian Idol
Born in FijiFiji
Fiji , officially the Republic of Fiji , is an island nation in Melanesia in the South Pacific Ocean about northeast of New Zealand's North Island...
in 1982, Paulini moved to Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
with her family when she was four years old. At six years of age, she was already singing in her local choir. In 1990 Paulini's brother was shot and killed during a robbery incident. In 1997, she was placed into a talent development program at her high school, Bankstown Girls High School
Bankstown Girls High School
Bankstown Girls' High School is a government high school for girls operated by the New South Wales Department of Education and Training. It is located in the south-western Sydney suburb of Bankstown, New South Wales, Australia.- Education :...
. Paulini entered the televised talent contest StarStruck
StarStruck (2000 TV series)
thumb|right|StarStruck logoStarStruck was an Australian talent show that was broadcast on the Nine Network between the years 2000 and 2002. The show was originally hosted by Jo Beth Taylor, who was replaced by Jay Laga'aia after the first series....
, winning the contest. Following the show, Paulini recorded a track, "When You Believe
When You Believe
"When You Believe" is an Academy Award-winning song by American recording artists Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston. The song was written and composed by Stephen Schwartz for the 1998 DreamWorks animated feature The Prince of Egypt. A version of "When You Believe" was produced as a single with...
" for the program's CD. With the involvement of her high-school music department, Paulini was also a participant on ABC's live Schools Spectacular
Schools Spectacular
The Schools Spectacular is an Australian variety show featuring more than 3000 young students and is performed annually at the Sydney Entertainment Centre. Highlights of the Schools Spectacular are broadcast each year by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation....
concerts. In 2001, she formed a band called MIXX, which included her two sisters, Sereima Curuenavuli and Litia Curuenavuli. At the same time she began cutting demos as a solo artist. In 2003, Paulini was invited by the South Pacific Games
South Pacific Games
The Pacific Games is a multi-sport event, much like the Olympics , with participation exclusively from countries around the South Pacific. It is held every four years and began in 1963, hosted by Suva, Fiji.- Concept :The idea of holding the South Pacific Games originated with Dr A.H...
team in Fiji to open their competition. She recorded the show's anthem, "Many Rhythms, One Love," for the Games' official album, The Pacific at Its Best.
During this time, Paulini auditioned for the first season
Australian Idol (season 1)
The first season of Australian Idol was produced by Fremantle Media subsidiary Grundy Television in association with UK company 19TV, and was broadcast on Network Ten for 19 weeks in the latter half of 2003...
of Australian Idol
Australian Idol
Australian Idol is a Logie Award-winning Australian singing competition, which began its first season on July 2003 and ended its run in November 2009. As part of the Idol franchise, Australian Idol originated from the reality program Pop Idol, which was created by British entertainment executive...
. She earned praise from the judges for performing songs by Aretha Franklin
Aretha Franklin
Aretha Louise Franklin is an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. Although known for her soul recordings and referred to as The Queen of Soul, Franklin is also adept at jazz, blues, R&B, gospel music, and rock. Rolling Stone magazine ranked her atop its list of The Greatest Singers of All...
, Barbra Streisand
Barbra Streisand
Barbra Joan Streisand is an American singer, actress, film producer and director. She has won two Academy Awards, eight Grammy Awards, four Emmy Awards, a Special Tony Award, an American Film Institute award, a Peabody Award, and is one of the few entertainers who have won an Oscar, Emmy, Grammy,...
, Thelma Houston
Thelma Houston
Thelma Houston is an American singer-songwriter and actress. She scored a number-one hit in 1976 with her cover version of the song "Don't Leave Me This Way", which won the 1978 Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance.-Early life & career:Houston is the daughter of a cotton picking mother...
, and Toni Braxton
Toni Braxton
Toni Michelle Braxton is an American R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress. Braxton has won six Grammy Awards, seven American Music Awards, and five Billboard Music Awards and has sold over 60 million records worldwide...
. In the "final five" week, Paulini wore a gold dress designed for her by Charlie Brown. Judge Ian "Dicko" Dickson commented on the dress saying "You should choose more appropriate clothes or shed some pounds", which resulted in a great deal of debate and controversy in the media relating to teenage girls and anorexia. In the "final four" week, Paulini landed in the bottom two with fellow finalist Cosima De Vito
Cosima De Vito
Cosima De Vito , also known simply as Cosima, is an Australian singer-songwriter. She rose to fame as a contestant of the original Australian Idol series in 2003...
. It was then announced she was eliminated. In a poll taken on Australian Idol, Paulini's elimination was the second most surprising elimination ever.
2004-2005: One Determined Heart
Following her departure on Australian Idol, Paulini was offered many recording contracts, but ultimately accepted a four-album deal with Sony BMG Australia. In 2004, she recorded her debut album, which was produced by Audius MtawariraAudius Mtawarira
Audius Mtawarira, is a multi-ARIA Award winning Australian record producer, composer, artist and songwriter more commonly known as "Audius".-Biography:...
, who had previously collaborated with Delta Goodrem
Delta Goodrem
Delta Lea Goodrem is an Australian singer-songwriter, pianist, and actress. Signed to Sony at the age of 15, Goodrem rose to prominence in 2002, starring in the Australian soap opera Neighbours as Nina Tucker. Goodrem has achieved eight number-one singles and three number-one albums in her home...
. The album was mainly a collection of covers, featuring only two original tracks, "One Determined Heart" and "We Can Try
We Can Try
"We Can Try" is the second single released from Australian singer Paulini's debut studio album, One Determined Heart. The song written by Jeneya Carr and Audius Mtawarira and was released physically on 1 October 2004....
", with the former bearing the same name as the title of the album. The first single released from the album was a cover of Canadian Jeff Healey
Jeff Healey
Norman Jeffrey "Jeff" Healey was a blind Canadian jazz and blues-rock vocalist and guitarist who attained musical and personal popularity, particularly in the 1980s and 1990s.-Early life:...
's 1988 hit, "Angel Eyes". The song was an instant success, peaking at number one on the ARIA Singles Chart
ARIA Charts
The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June...
for three non-consecutive weeks, and certified platinum. It remained in the top ten for almost three months, and became the fourth best-selling single of 2004 in Australia.
In late July 2004, the album, One Determined Heart
One Determined Heart
One Determined Heart is the debut studio album by Australian singer Paulini, released in Australia on 23 July 2004. The album was produced by Audius Mtawarira and has a genre of R&B & pop songs. The album mainly cover songs including some by Jeff Healey, TLC, The Four Tops, Barbra Streisand, Jeff...
was officially released. It debuted at number one on the ARIA Albums Chart
ARIA Charts
The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June...
and remained at its peak position for two weeks, earning Paulini a platinum certification by the Australian Recording Industry Association
Australian Recording Industry Association
The Australian Recording Industry Association is a trade group representing the Australian recording industry which was established in 1983 by six major record companies, EMI, Festival, CBS, RCA, WEA and Universal replacing the Association of Australian Record Manufacturers which was formed in 1956...
. The second single from the album was "We Can Try
We Can Try
"We Can Try" is the second single released from Australian singer Paulini's debut studio album, One Determined Heart. The song written by Jeneya Carr and Audius Mtawarira and was released physically on 1 October 2004....
", which peaked at number thirty on the ARIA Singles Chart
ARIA Charts
The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June...
and at number nine on the ARIA Urban Singles Chart
ARIA Charts
The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June...
. Paulini received two ARIA #1 Chart Awards
ARIA Charts
The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June...
for "Angels Eyes" and album reaching number one. "Angel Eyes" also received an ARIA nomination for "Highest Selling Single" at the 2004 ARIA Music Awards
ARIA Music Awards of 2004
The 18th Annual Australian Recording Industry Association Music Awards were held on 17 October 2004 at the Sydney Superdome within the Sydney Olympic Complex...
.
In November 2004, Paulini released a Christmas EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
titled, Amazing Grace: Songs for Christmas
Amazing Grace: Songs for Christmas
Amazing Grace: Songs for Christmas is the debut EP by Australian singer Paulini, released in Australia on November 26, 2004.-Chart Performance:...
. The EP peaked at only number seventy on the ARIA Albums Chart
ARIA Charts
The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June...
. The album reached the top ten on the ARIA Urban Albums Chart
ARIA Charts
The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June...
and peaked in the top five of the Australian Artists Albums Chart
ARIA Charts
The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June...
. During this time, she toured with Tina Arena
Tina Arena
Filippina Lydia "Tina" Arena is an Australian singer, songwriter and musical theatre actress. She has won several awards, most notably 6 ARIA Awards and in both 1996 and 2000 she received the World Music Award for the world's best selling Australian artist...
, across Australia as her support act. On 26 November 2004, Paulini made her first television guest appearance on the Australian drama series, Home and Away
Home and Away
Home and Away is an Australian soap opera that has been produced in Sydney since July 1987 and is airing on the Seven Network since 17 January 1988. It is the second-longest-running drama and most popular soap opera on Australian television...
. During an episode of the show, she performed two songs, "We Can Try" and "Silent Night
Silent Night
"Silent Night" is a popular Christmas carol. The original lyrics of the song "Stille Nacht" were written in Oberndorf bei Salzburg, Austria, by the priest Father Joseph Mohr and the melody was composed by the Austrian headmaster Franz Xaver Gruber...
". In May 2005, Paulini became a support act for Guy Sebastian
Guy Sebastian
Guy Theodore Sebastian is an Australian pop, R&B, and soul singer-songwriter who was the first winner of Australian Idol in 2003. He is currently a judge on the Australian version of The X Factor. Sebastian has released six top ten platinum/multi platinum albums, including a number-one and...
on his Beautiful Life Tour.
2006-2008: Superwoman and Young Divas era
In 2005, Paulini recorded her second studio album, SuperwomanSuperwoman (album)
Superwoman is the second studio album by Australian singer Paulini. It was released physically and digitally on 5 August 2006 and contains the lead single, "Rough Day" and the second, "So Over You".-Writing and development:...
, in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
and Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
. However, her record company decided to wait nearly eighteen months before releasing it. The first single from the then still unreleased album was "Rough Day
Rough Day
"Rough Day" is the lead single released from Australian singer Paulini's second studio album, Superwoman. The song was written by Bridget Benenate, Matthew Gerrard and Franne Golde and produced by Audius Mtawarira. It was released physically on 22 January 2006-Music video:The music video was...
". It debuted at number three on the ARIA Dance Singles Chart
ARIA Charts
The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June...
and at number twenty-six on the ARIA Singles Chart
ARIA Charts
The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June...
. The second single issued, while the album was still unreleased, was "So Over You
So Over You
"So Over You" is the second single released from Australian singer, Paulini's second studio album, Superwoman. The song written by Nigel Butler, Paulini, Ray Hedges, Andy Love and Jarrad Rogers and was produced by Hedges...
". It only managed to reach number forty-nine, but made it to number thirteen on the ARIA Urban Singles Chart
ARIA Charts
The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June...
. In May 2006, Paulini became a mentor on the first series of the celebrity singing show, It Takes Two. She was a mentor for television presenter, Simon Reeve
Simon Reeve (Australian television presenter)
Simon Reeve is an Australian television presenter and host of many shows on the Seven Network. Reeve is currently the sports presenter on Weekend Sunrise, reporter on Sunrise, and the host of the children's quiz show It's Academic, as well as a fill-in presenter for Seven News.Simon commenced his...
. Her second album was then released on 5 August 2006. The album failed to achieve the commercial success of her debut album, peaking at number seventy-two on the ARIA Album Charts
ARIA Charts
The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June...
and failed to earn any chart certificates. The third single from the album, "I Believe", was used as a promotional tool for the album and only saw a limited release.
During this time, Paulini's record company had asked her to be part of an all-girl band concept, under the name, Young Divas
Young Divas
Young Divas was an Australian girl group that had consisted of previous Australian Idol contestants. The original line up consisted of season one finalist Paulini Curuenavuli, season two finalist Ricki-Lee Coulter, season three winner Kate DeAraugo and runner-up Emily Williams...
. The girl band included previous Idol contestants, Emily Williams
Emily Williams
Emily Williams , is a New Zealand-born Australian singer-songwriter, who rose to fame on the third season of Australian Idol in 2005, and became runner-up of the season...
, Ricki-Lee Coulter
Ricki-Lee Coulter
Ricki-Lee Coulter is an Australian recording artist and television and radio presenter. In 2004, Coulter was placed seventh place on the second season of Australian Idol...
and Kate DeAraugo
Kate DeAraugo
Katherine Jenna "Kate" DeAraugo, pronounced de roosh , is an Australian singer-songwriter who was the third winner of Australian Idol in 2005. After idol, DeAraugo signed to Sony BMG and released her debut single, "Maybe Tonight", in November 2005. The single debuted and peaked at Number 1 on the...
. The concept was based around a one-off single and a concert tour to promote all four artists as solo singers. In May 2006, the group released their debut single, "This Time I Know It's For Real
This Time I Know It's for Real
"This Time I Know It's For Real" is a song originally recorded by Donna Summer, and released in 1989 as the first single from her album Another Place and Time...
", in support of the tour. The song was a commercial success, peaking at number two on the ARIA Singles Chart
ARIA Charts
The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June...
and certified platinum. They released their second single, "Happenin' All over Again
Happenin' All Over Again
"Happenin' All over Again" is a song written and produced by Stock Aitken & Waterman for Lonnie Gordon's first album If I Have to Stand Alone . It was released as the album's second single in January 1990 and reached #4 on the main UK singles chart...
", in November 2006. It peaked at number nine and certified gold. The group's success prompted the release of a debut album of classic disco and pop covers titled, Young Divas
Young Divas (album)
Young Divas is the debut album by the Young Divas, made up of Australian Idol finalists Ricki-Lee Coulter , Paulini Curuenavuli , Kate DeAraugo and Emily Williams ....
on 18 November 2006. It debuted at number four on the ARIA Albums Chart
ARIA Charts
The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June...
and certified double platinum by the ARIA
Australian Recording Industry Association
The Australian Recording Industry Association is a trade group representing the Australian recording industry which was established in 1983 by six major record companies, EMI, Festival, CBS, RCA, WEA and Universal replacing the Association of Australian Record Manufacturers which was formed in 1956...
.
In May 2007, Paulini returned for the second series of It Takes Two and was a mentor for actor Lochie Daddo
Lochie Daddo
Christopher Lachlan "Lochie" Daddo is an Australian actor and television presenter. His elder brothers are actors Andrew and Cameron Daddo, and Andrew's twin, Jamie Daddo.-Career:...
. In June 2007, it was announced that founding member of Young Divas, Ricki-Lee Coulter
Ricki-Lee Coulter
Ricki-Lee Coulter is an Australian recording artist and television and radio presenter. In 2004, Coulter was placed seventh place on the second season of Australian Idol...
, had left the group to resume her solo career. She was later replaced by season four Idol runner-up, Jessica Mauboy
Jessica Mauboy
Jessica Hilda Mauboy , is an Indigenous Australian R&B singer-songwriter and actress. In 2006, Mauboy was the runner-up on the fourth season of Australian Idol, she had auditioned for the talent show in Alice Springs to pursue a recording career...
. In November 2007, the group released their second studio album, New Attitude
New Attitude (album)
New Attitude is the second album by the Young Divas and the first to feature Jessica Mauboy who replaced Ricki-Lee Coulter after she left to concentrate on her solo career....
, which spawned the top fifteen single, "Turn Me Loose". The album peaked at number ten on the ARIA Albums Chart
ARIA Charts
The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June...
and certified gold. Throughout 2008, Paulini continued working as a solo artist. She took the lead female vocalist role in the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra
Adelaide Symphony Orchestra
The Adelaide Symphony Orchestra was founded as a 17 player radio ensemble in 1936, in Adelaide, South Australia. The orchestra reformed in 1949 as the 55 member South Australian Symphony Orchestra. It reverted to its original and present title, the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, in late 1974, and...
production of the "Gospel Messiah", alongside James Morrison
James Morrison (singer)
James Morrison is a BRIT Award-winning English singer-songwriter and guitarist from Rugby, Warwickshire. In 2006, his debut single "You Give Me Something" became a hit in Europe, Australia, and Japan, peaking in the top five in the UK and New Zealand. His debut album, Undiscovered, debuted at the...
and Doug Parkinson. In July 2008, Paulini featured on the song, "Receive the Power
Receive the Power
Receive the Power is a Gospel song written by Guy Sebastian and Gary Pinto, and performed by Guy Sebastian and Paulini chosen in May 2007 as the official anthem for the Roman Catholic Church's XXIII World Youth Day held in Sydney in 2008....
", with Guy Sebastian
Guy Sebastian
Guy Theodore Sebastian is an Australian pop, R&B, and soul singer-songwriter who was the first winner of Australian Idol in 2003. He is currently a judge on the Australian version of The X Factor. Sebastian has released six top ten platinum/multi platinum albums, including a number-one and...
. The song was chosen as the official anthem for the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
's XXIII (2008) World Youth Day
World Youth Day
World Youth Day is a youth-oriented Catholic Church event. While the event itself celebrates the Catholic faith, the invitation to attend extends to all youth, regardless of religious convictions....
held in Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
. In August 2008, it was announced that Paulini had left the Young Divas
Young Divas
Young Divas was an Australian girl group that had consisted of previous Australian Idol contestants. The original line up consisted of season one finalist Paulini Curuenavuli, season two finalist Ricki-Lee Coulter, season three winner Kate DeAraugo and runner-up Emily Williams...
to resume her solo career. At the same time, Mauboy also decided to quit, leaving DeAraugo and Williams as the only remaining members. In 2009, it was announced that Williams and DeAraugo resumed their solo careers and the group officially disbanded.
2008-present: New label and third studio album
Following her departure from Young Divas, Paulini ended her contract with Sony BMG and signed a record publishing deal with Albert Music. During this time, she began working on her third studio album. Paulini travelled to New YorkNew York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
to work with various producers and songwriters of who she had never previously worked with before. In an interview with Auspop, Paulini revealed the album's style to be mainly contemporary pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
. About the album she said, "So it’s still very commercial – a very new sound. Kinda like a Jordin Sparks
Jordin Sparks
Jordin Brianna Sparks is an American pop / R&B singer-songwriter and actress. She hails from Glendale, Arizona who rose to fame as the winner of the sixth season of American Idol. Sparks won when she was 17 years old, making her the youngest winner in Idol history...
kind of thing. All of the songs on there I’ve co-written or written. I’m really excited about it. It’s something that’s very close to me, because I’ve been a big part of it since day one."
In November 2009, Paulini released a new single, "Scarless
Scarless
"Scarless" is a song by Australian singer, Paulini, released digitally on November 13, 2009, to help raise awareness for White Ribbon Day and the White Ribbon Day Campaign-Background:...
" through Albert Music. The song was initially released to help raise awareness and support for White Ribbon
White ribbon
The white ribbon, a white-colored ribbon or representation of a white-colored ribbon, has several different meanings depending on the context. As with other color ribbons, is sometimes used by political movements to signify or spread their beliefs...
Campaign. In November 2010, she appeared in the telemovie, Sisters of War
Sisters of War
Sisters of War is a telemovie based on the true story of two Australian women, Lorna Whyte, an army nurse and Sister Berenice Twohill, a Catholic nun from New South Wales who survived as prisoners of war in Papua New Guinea during World War II. Sisters of War was written by John Misto, produced by...
, playing the role of the nun, Sister Marie. During this time, Paulini recorded the duet, "Believe Again
Believe Again (Niels Brinck song)
"Believe Again" is a song by Danish singer-songwriter Niels Brinck and it was the Danish entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2009. The song was written by Lars Halvor Jensen, Martin Michael Larsson, and Irish singer Ronan Keating. It was selected by the Danish public through the show Dansk Melodi...
", with Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
singer Ronan Keating
Ronan Keating
Ronan Patrick John Keating is an Irish recording artist, singer-songwriter, musician, and philanthropist. Keating debuted on the professional music scene alongside Keith Duffy, Mikey Graham, Shane Lynch and Stephen Gately, in 1994 as the lead singer of Boyzone. His solo career started in 1999, and...
for his seventh studio album, Duet
Duet (Ronan Keating album)
Duet is the seventh studio album by Irish singer-songwriter and Boyzone frontman Ronan Keating. It was produced by Greg Wells and features collaborations with Australian, New Zealand and international artists...
. The song managed to reach a peak of number seventy-three on the ARIA Singles Chart
ARIA Charts
The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June...
.
Philanthropy
Paulini has performed for many charitable events including, the "Olivia Newton-JohnOlivia Newton-John
Olivia Newton-John AO, OBE is a singer and actress. She is a four-time Grammy award winner who has amassed five No. 1 and ten other Top Ten Billboard Hot 100 singles and two No. 1 Billboard 200 solo albums. Eleven of her singles and 14 of her albums have been certified gold by the RIAA...
& Friends Concert", raising funds for the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre Appeal and the "Beneath The Stars" event. In 2008 Paulini visited the Sydney Children's Hospital, performing in the Starlight express room. She also regularly performs at the annual Christmas Carol events, such as Carols in the Domain
Carols in the Domain
Carols in the Domain is an annual Christmas concert free event held in the Domain Gardens, Sydney, Australia. It began in 1982. It is broadcast around Australia on the Seven Network and simulcast on 101.7 WSFM....
, Vision Australia's Carols By Candlelight
Carols by Candlelight
Carols by Candlelight is an Australian Christmas tradition that originated in southeastern Australia in the 19th century and was popularised in Melbourne in the 1930s. The tradition has since spread around the world. It involves people gathering, usually outdoors in a park, to sing carols by...
and Brisbane
Brisbane
Brisbane is the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. Brisbane's metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million, and the South East Queensland urban conurbation, centred around Brisbane, encompasses a population of...
's Carols in the City
Carols in the City
Carols in the City , is an annual free Christmas concert event held at the Brisbane River Stage, in Brisbane, Australia. It is broadcast across Australia through the Nine Network with media partners being The Sunday Mail, 4BC and 4BH...
, where performers donate their time to raise money for various charities.
In June 2010, Paulini became an ambassador for The Global Good Foundation, a charity campaigning against domestic violence. On 9 August 2010 she performed at the "Dueting for the Kids" concert held at the State Theatre
State Theatre (Sydney)
The State Theatre is a heritage-listed theatre, located in Market Street, in the city centre of Sydney, Australia.The Sydney Film Festival is hosted there for two weeks each June, and has been there since 1974.-Description and history:...
in Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
where she performed a duet with Leo Sayer
Leo Sayer
Leo Sayer is a British singer-songwriter, musician, and entertainer whose singing career has spanned four decades. Sayer became a naturalised Australian citizen in 2009. Sayer was a top singles and album act on both sides of the Atlantic in the 1970s...
, singing his major hit, "You Make Me Feel Like Dancing
You Make Me Feel Like Dancing
"You Make Me Feel Like Dancing" is a song by the British singer Leo Sayer, taken from his 1976 album Endless Flight. The song reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, making it his first number one single in United States, and #2 on the UK Singles Chart...
", as well as dueting with Mark Williams
Mark Williams (singer)
Mark Williams is a New Zealand-born pop/soul singer with Recording Industry Association of New Zealand number one hit singles, "Yesterday Was Just the Beginning of My Life" and a cover of Buddy Holly's "It Doesn't Matter Anymore" before he relocated to Australia later that year. His single,...
on a song entitled "Crazy". All proceeds of the concert went to the "Australian Children's Music Foundation".
Personal life
In 2006, Paulini dated rugby leagueRugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
star, Wes Naiqama
Wes Naiqama
Wes Naiqama is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Newcastle Knights of the National Rugby League competition. Also the incumbent Fiji national team captain, his usual position is in the centres...
. The relationship soon ended with claims Naiqama assaulted her. In 2009, Paulini released a single about it titled, "Scarless
Scarless
"Scarless" is a song by Australian singer, Paulini, released digitally on November 13, 2009, to help raise awareness for White Ribbon Day and the White Ribbon Day Campaign-Background:...
". However, she refuses to speak about Naiqama by name, but stated the song was written to help other victims who have been through domestic violence
Discography
- One Determined HeartOne Determined HeartOne Determined Heart is the debut studio album by Australian singer Paulini, released in Australia on 23 July 2004. The album was produced by Audius Mtawarira and has a genre of R&B & pop songs. The album mainly cover songs including some by Jeff Healey, TLC, The Four Tops, Barbra Streisand, Jeff...
(2004) - SuperwomanSuperwoman (album)Superwoman is the second studio album by Australian singer Paulini. It was released physically and digitally on 5 August 2006 and contains the lead single, "Rough Day" and the second, "So Over You".-Writing and development:...
(2006)
Filmography
| Television guest appearances | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2004 | Home and Away Home and Away Home and Away is an Australian soap opera that has been produced in Sydney since July 1987 and is airing on the Seven Network since 17 January 1988. It is the second-longest-running drama and most popular soap opera on Australian television... |
Herself | One episode |
| Television | |||
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2010 | Sisters of War Sisters of War Sisters of War is a telemovie based on the true story of two Australian women, Lorna Whyte, an army nurse and Sister Berenice Twohill, a Catholic nun from New South Wales who survived as prisoners of war in Papua New Guinea during World War II. Sisters of War was written by John Misto, produced by... |
Sister Marie | Telemovie |
Awards and nominations
| Year | Type | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | ARIA #1 Chart Awards | ARIA No. 1 Album (One Determined Heart One Determined Heart One Determined Heart is the debut studio album by Australian singer Paulini, released in Australia on 23 July 2004. The album was produced by Audius Mtawarira and has a genre of R&B & pop songs. The album mainly cover songs including some by Jeff Healey, TLC, The Four Tops, Barbra Streisand, Jeff... ) |
|
| ARIA No. 1 Single ("Angel Eyes") | |||
| ARIA Award ARIA Music Awards The Australian Recording Industry Association Music Awards is an annual series of awards nights celebrating the Australian music industry, put on by the Australian Recording Industry Association... |
Highest Selling Single ("Angel Eyes") | ||
| 2006 | Urban Music Awards Urban Music Awards Australia and New Zealand 2006 The first annual Urban Music Awards were presented by Jazzy Jeff and Kurtis Blow Sydney’s Homebush State Sports Centre on Friday 21 July 2007... |
Best Female Artist | |
| 2007 | Urban Music Awards Urban Music Awards Australia and New Zealand 2006 The first annual Urban Music Awards were presented by Jazzy Jeff and Kurtis Blow Sydney’s Homebush State Sports Centre on Friday 21 July 2007... |
Best Female Artist | |
| Best R&B Album (Superwoman Superwoman (album) Superwoman is the second studio album by Australian singer Paulini. It was released physically and digitally on 5 August 2006 and contains the lead single, "Rough Day" and the second, "So Over You".-Writing and development:... ) |