Singer Samantha Jade opens up about her wedding reality check.
Singer Samantha Jade has had to postpone her wedding multiple times, but she isn’t complaining – she says working with "The Salvation Army" has made her “get real” with herself.
When Samantha Jade said “yes” to her partner Pat Handlin’s marriage proposal back in january 2019, she couldn’t have predicted that more than two years on, she’d still be waiting to set a wedding date.
But because COVID-19 border closures meant that Jade would be walking down the aisle without her father, who is based in Perth, she and her fiancé made the decision to postpone the wedding – again and again:
“We pushed it three times last year and then at the end of the year, we were like, let’s just not even [try]”, Jade tells "Stellar", “Because every time i think about it, i get excited. I don’t want to go into that excited mode because i hate having to get myself out of that place.”
The couple started to consider their options again this april, but the conversation was short-lived:
“We’d started talking about it again...and then Perth went into a lockdown the week after”, Jade sighs, “So it was back to square one. Pat [said]: "Do we just go down to the courthouse?" and i’m like: "No! I want a wedding! And i want my dad there!" So we’re just waiting. There’s nothing else we can do.”
While the "ARIA Music Award"-winning singer, songwriter, and actor does admit that it’s been a tough pill to swallow, Jade is also aware that in the grand scheme of things, she has plenty to be grateful for – and she’s reminded of it every time she joins forces with "The Salvation Army" in her role as an ambassador:
“Meeting people who have gone through so much…your problems become so small”, the 34-year-old says, “It makes you seriously stand back and go: ‘I really need to get real with myself."
Over the past six years, Jade has travelled across the country to meet australians "The Salvos" are helping – from women fleeing domestic violence to families whose lives were turned upside down during the black summer bushfires:
“It’s one thing seeing it on television, but actually going to Batemans Bay and seeing [the devastation] was such a different experience.”
Months later, she returned and walked through the newly constructed houses that had been facilitated by the organisation:
“It’s incredible to be part of something that’s so ferociously fighting for hope”, she smiles.
During a recent "Salvos" trip to Adelaide, Jade visited a drug and alcohol refuge, a homelessness service and an aged-care centre to chat, offer support and spread some joy in the best way she knows how – through music:
“I always travel with either my singers or guitarist”, she explains, "Music is such a healer. It’s amazing seeing the reactions of people in a room. That’s where i feel i’m doing my part.”
Jade, who rose to fame after winning "The X Factor Australia" in 2012, is no stranger to the stage or screen, having done everything from supporting One Direction to playing Kylie Minogue in the miniseries "INXS: Never Tear Us Apart".
And while COVID-19 meant she wasn’t able to perform publicly for the duration of 2020, the forced downtime meant that as well as putting the finishing touches on her next album, Jade could enjoy some proper one-on-one time with her fiancé:
“Pat and i were always both really busy and i was like: "Oh my Gosh, now we get to see each other every day”, she laughs, “We were presented with this time to stand still for a second. It ended up being really special. We’re pretty much married now anyway – we’ve been through a pandemic together!”
"The Salvation Army’s Red Shield Appeal" takes place on may 29th and 30th. To donate, or if you need assistance, visit "SalvationArmy.org.au".
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