Interview:
"Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" (Judy Garland cover):
The beautiful way singer Samantha Jade honours her late mum at Christmas time.
''It's tough every year.''
Aussie singer Samantha Jade has had an incredible year.
In the space of eleven months, the former "The X Factor Australia" winner has not only released two albums, "Best Of My Love" and "The Magic Of Christmas", but she also modelled for and launched her own lingerie line with "Bras n Things".
And just this week, she helped launch the "It Feels Good To Give" campaign with "Coca-Cola" and "The Salvation Army" for the second year in a row.
So now, with Christmas just around the corner, Sammy is ready for a well earned break and some quality time with her family.
Just before she hopped on stage to perform songs for the launch of the "Coca-Cola" truck in Darling Harbour Sydney, the petite bombshell sat down with "NowToLove.com.au" for an exclusive chat to talk about her Christmas plans.
Being the most wonderful time of the year for many, it's important to remember those we've lost and for Sammy's family it is always particularly poignant as they remember their mum, Jacqui Gibbs, who sadly lost her battle with cancer in 2014:
"We always have a moment", Sammy said, "And i think every big event especially Christmas, is the time of family and love and especially your mum, so it's tough every year and it's something that always is very...it's the big moment of the day realising she's not there", she said.
Jacqui was diagnosed in february 2014, at the same time her daughter made her acting debut playing Kylie Minogue on the Seven miniseries "INXS: Never Tear Us Apart".
And while the 32-year-old and her family have found it incredibly difficult to be without her mum, they try to keep "the tears to a minimum":
"We always take a second", she said and then with a smile added, "And then we can hear mum going: "Enjoy your day, get on with it, enjoy it", so we try and keep it to a minimum."
At the time of her mum's passing, Sammy released a statement to share the news with her fans.
The singer and actress confirmed the sad news of her mum's death via a statement just four months after being diagnosed:
"Our beautiful mother Jacqueline Deans Gibbs passed away peacefully with family by her side", she wrote, "She fought til the very end with the strength and grace by which she lived her life and will be deeply missed. We appreciate your kind words, prayers, and respect for our family during this very difficult time."
Even though Christmas will never be the same, Sammy did say that her family has a routine which most people will find very relatable:
"It's so boring", she said, "We get up, open presents and then we eat all day! There's just food and there's snacks and we just chat and we listen to Christmas carols and sometimes watch Christmas movies and we just have a really really relaxed day. I think the most important thing we can give each other is just time. So that's what we do, we just give each other the whole day to hang out."
Next year, Sammy is looking forward to writing some original music, but is acutely aware of how important it will be to take time for herself:
"I sometimes do struggle with anxiety here and there and i really think that self-care and taking time is important", she said, "And saying, ok, i need a minute, i need an hour and sleeping and drinking water, all those small things because that's the only way you can do those big things."
"It Feels Good to Give" campaign
"Coca-Cola" has joined forces with "The Salvation Army" on its "It Feels Good To Give" Christmas Truck Tour" of Australia.
In a World-first, the truck tour will feature a nationwide "Secret Santa". One of the biggest gift exchanges ever seen in Australia, it will see a truckload of presents travel more than 10 000km on a tour that embraces the spirit of giving at Christmas.
Credit: [X]
