22/07/26 - Samantha Jade being interviewed for the ''Nine.com.au'' website

Samantha Jade’s urgent message to Australia as ''Pretty Woman: The Musical'' wraps

Exclusive: As empty theatres across Australia suffer from major cancellations, Samantha Jade feels “very lucky” to be on stage:

“There’s a bit of sadness, weirdly”, said the 39-year-old following her final opening night of "Pretty Woman: The Musical" as the production premiered in Melbourne’s "Regent Theatre" this week: “There’s excitement too...obviously the industry is in a really weird place right now, we’re so aware there’s a lot of shows closing”, she told ''Nine.com.au''.

Those shows include two major productions "Beetlejuice" and "Waitress" which will no longer be making their way to Sydney theatres, and "Anastasia: The Musical" closing this weekend:

“I’ve been in the industry since i was 15 and there’s always an uncertainty until i’m actually doing the job”, said the 2012 "X Factor" winner, who shines as Vivian Ward the "Pretty Woman" stage adaptation, “But i couldn’t imagine going to work every day and having to close early. You become a family with these people. It’s not lost on us how lucky we are, truly.”

Fellow aussie Natalie Bassingthwaighte was not so lucky, following the abrupt cancellation of her musical "Waitress" in Sydney.

The 50-year-old said her “heart was hurting” for australian theatre and the arts, after all planned shows in the city were cancelled due to low ticket sales:

“You know what i love about Nat, she’s such a girl’s girl”, Jade responded, “She’s always been supportive of me.”

In fact, Bass was a judge on "X Factor when Jade made her debut to the world:

“I think it’s just so important to show support for australian art. Go to australian films, stream australian TV shows, australian music”, Jade urged when then asked if she had a message for fans, “Go to the theatre if you can, enter the theatre lottery for $40 tickets. If you can’t get out to see a show, which I totally understand, my god things are expensive, just post about it with your community of friends. We need to support each other and to know how great we are, and not play things down. We need to start playing things up because we have so much talent here”, she said.

Jade’s talent shines in her first-ever theatre role. Forget her collective 91 million streams and 2.3 million sales worldwide, it’s this role that’s been her most challenging to date:

“Julia Roberts is my favourite actor and i remember thinking: "Oh gosh, how do you take on something that is so iconic by someone so iconic?”, she recalled.

The heart-warming musical, which kicked off in Brisbane in October 2025, has begun its final run in Melbourne, until its spectacular close september this year:

“You know, we’ve been doing it for nearly a year now, and it’s one of the hardest things i’ve ever done”, she admitted, “The respect i have now for theatre performers is on another level”, she laughed.

As the star was hours away from hair and make-up ahead of her next performance, Jade confessed she still gets “nervous” going out on stage:

“I think it’s because i want to do a great job”, she explained, “I love what i do, and i want the audience to love it too.”

"Pretty Woman: The Musical" is showing now until 13 september 2026 at "Regent Theatre", Melbourne. 

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07/03/26 - Samantha Jade being interviewed for the ''By Jules'' website

04/12/25 - Samantha Jade being interviewed for the ''Stage Whispers'' website

They are stepping into big shoes. Samantha Jade and Ben Hall are taking on the roles made famous by Julia Roberts and Richard Gere in ''Pretty Woman''. David Spicer spoke to the pair as they prepared for the australian premiere of the musical version of the famous movie.

For Samantha Jade there is all that comparison to Julia Roberts’ long legs and the thousand-watt smile, with those dazzling teeth. Whilst Ben Hall must compete with memories of Richard Gere’s charm, good looks and dimples. 

The casting announcement for the australian premiere of ''Pretty Woman: The Musical'' attracted a huge response on Stage Whispers' social media accounts.

Samantha Jade’s  pop music career was launched when she won Channel 7’s ''The X Factor Australia'' in 2012. She’s had guest roles on ''Home And Away'' and played as Kylie Minogue in the tv miniseries ''INXS: Never Tear Us Apart''.

Ben Hall is a WAAPA graduate with music theatre credits and was a regular on ''Neighbours''. 

''Pretty Woman: the Musical'' ran for over a year on Broadway, attracting lukewarm reviews at best, but has been described as “slick and crowd pleasing” at other international outings.

The score by Bryan Adams has an ‘80s/’90s feel, with the famous Roy Orbison song part of the curtain call. 

Large sections of the script have been lifted from the movie, which is about a prostitute, Vivian, who is engaged as an escort by a businessman, Edward, who gives her a Pygmalion transformation. I spoke to both Australian stars.

David Spicer:  Congratulations. When did you first become aware of the phenomenon of ''Pretty Woman''?

Ben Hall:  I wasn't born when the movie came out,  but over the years,  as it's such a cultural phenomenon,  i became aware of it quickly.  All those iconic moments are referenced so often that you start seeing bits of it on tv, and then at some point i've watched it and loved it like everyone else. It was the forerunner to all those other ‘90s rom coms. Such a great period in film. 

DS: So you were born two years after the movie came out in 1990.  Is it intimidating to step into the shoes of Richard Gere? 

BH: It is, because he has such a calm presence about him, such an aura. Many women, my mum included, are very big fans, so there's big, big shoes to fill, but i'm looking forward to it. 

DS: Samatha what was your introduction to the movie?

Samantha Jade: I was very much alive (when it was released). I obviously didn't see it when i was little, but i do remember watching it with my mum, and i loved it.  My mum and i had these little comfort films that we would always watch; they were always rom coms and Pretty Woman was number one on the list. I was a little bit in love with Richard Gere. 

DS:  Julia Roberts is known for her famous smile. Do you have teeth like Julia? 

SJ: No, I don't. I wish i did. I've talked about that a lot. Julia has so many teeth. I have very big teeth for my mouth. That's from my Mum. I would never try that big smile. 

DS: What about a Richard Gere dimple?

BH: Do i have a dimple? 

SJ: You do.

BH: I try to get a little sparkle in the eyes.

SJ: Ben can smile. That’s what Richard Gere is really good at. Ben can nail a smile. That’s why he got it.

DS:  Richard Gere blushes a bit.

BH: He gets a bit uncomfortable at the beginning. Yeah, he's definitely not an intimate man to begin with. 

DS: How do you put your own stamp on the role?

BH: I didn’t watch the movie recently but going into the audition i read the script of the musical first.  I think obviously there needs to be a balance. The audience is going to expect to see those iconic moments, and they're all in there. But without it being a carbon copy of the movie.

SJ: It is different to the movie because obviously it’s a musical take on it, and the music plays such a big role. Bryan Adams is an amazing songwriter. He  gives it a new feel, and in a very good way. 

DS: When we think of the movie, we think of the Roy Orbison tune. How does it match that classic rendition of Pretty Woman?

BH: Bryan Adams is very much of that period. I think the rock music, and particularly the ballads, lends itself well to those key emotional moments and pivotal shifts for the characters. It gives you a  good  insight into their interior life, which the film can only hint at. That's the new element for audiences. 

SJ: I think he's leaned into that kind of era and then, obviously, the late 80s era of the film. There are power ballads, super memorable choruses  and memorable ear worms that are embedded in the back of my head.

DS: What are your favourites?

SJ: I think for me and for Vivian, it is a song called “Anywhere But Here”. It’s early in the show and is an important part of character.

DS: Ah yes, the famous traditional ‘I want’ song which establishes a character’s yearnings. What is your favourite Ben?

BH: ‘Long Way Home’, which is their beautiful moment towards the end of the musical when they think they are not going to get together.

DS: What literary traditions does it to draw on? Is it a ''Cinderella'' story?

SJ: Yes, but i think this musical highlights her strengths a lot. 

BH: It is more empowering and modern (than the traditional ''Cinderella'' story). 

DS: In the story, the male lead Edward doesn’t take advantage of his pretty woman when he first hires her. Does that make it modern or old fashioned?

BH: If you're looking at these transactional relationships, these power dynamics and differences in self-worth - all of those sorts of things are relevant across any time in any sort of genre. I don't think there's anything in there that is too on the nose. It manages to traverse that fine line very well.

SJ: I agree. There's a line in the movie at the very end, when he climbs up the tower and she rescues him right back. That's really important; throughout the whole musical they rescue each other. It's not just about a man getting her off the streets, obviously that’s the story, but she rescues him in a different way. 

DS: What does she rescue him from? 

SJ: A boring life?

DS: Is there anything in your own lives where you have seen people plucked out of obscurity to be sort of rescued?

BH: I suppose the one that i could think of is actors that are living in share houses, in rough conditions, working rough night jobs, and then suddenly they get a huge role in something. That has got a little bit of that rescued out of obscurity feel. And then they go on to kind of crazy fairytale lives. You can be cleaning toilets one day and a Hollywood star the next.

DS: Finally, is there anything in your training or other jobs that have helped you prepare you for this role?

BH: I think all roads lead to your current job. I think you take a little bit of everything from every job. 

SJ: I've been racking Ben's brain. I'm like, tell me everything, because obviously it's my introduction into musical theatre, and he's done it. So i'm like: ''What do i do? How do i do it?''. And yes, he just keeps saying it's about stamina and working hard, and you'll be so fine. Fingers crossed. 

What Stage Whispers’ Facebook followers said.

The casting announcement of Samantha Jade as Vivian drew some 2,000 likes and loves, along with 450 comments on our social media. The posting about Bens Hall’s casting drew a further 500 plus likes and loves. 

While the vast majority were thrilled with the casting, like KB: “Beautiful lady - just perfect for the role”, as usual, Facebook Central Casting offered several alternate suggestions.

Rhonda Burchmore was mentioned, but while her legs considered a great match, was she perhaps a little too old?  MK felt that Samantha is more like Kylie Minogue than Julia Roberts, and while SG loves Samantha’s voice, they thought Delta would be a better fit. RW also says Samantha is an amazing singer, but they can’t see her as a prostitute, suggesting she’s more like Sandy from ''Grease''.

Far more comments, though, supported the casting. 

“Some of you are so cruel. Why can't people be nice? I'm sure Samantha will be fantastic. Instead of being judgmental, have an open mind and give her a chance.” LB 

“She’ll be amazing! Why is it all grumpy old ladies on here are trying to tear someone down.” EK. 

''Pretty Woman: The Musical'' opened at the ''Lyric Theatre'', QPAC, Brisbane in october, ahead of seasons at the ''Theatre Royal Sydney'' from november, Perth from april, Adelaide from may and Melbourne from june.

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10/10/25 - Samantha Jade being interviewed for ''The AU Review'' website

Interview: Samantha Jade on moving from the pop studio to the ''Pretty Woman'' stage:  ''It’s really nice to be able to say you’re proud of yourself.''

Australian pop sensation Samantha Jade has long been a powerhouse in the music industry – from winning ''The X Factor Australia'' in 2012 to topping charts with her platinum-selling hits and captivating audiences with her dynamic performances.  Known for her stunning vocals and undeniable stage presence, Samantha has continually evolved as an artist, expanding her talents across music, television, and fashion.

Now she’s taking on one of her most exciting challenges yet: stepping onto the theatre stage as Vivian Ward in ''Pretty Woman: The Musical'', a role originated in the hit film by one Julia Roberts.  You know, no pressure.  Bringing her signature charm, vocal prowess, and emotional depth to the role, Samantha is proving that her artistry knows no bounds.

As the show premieres in Brisbane (you can read our review here), before moving onto Sydney, our Peter Gray spoke (and perhaps fanned out) with the pop superstar, talking to her about utilising the different aspects of her voice, making the character her own, and how she keeps the strict structure of the show exciting each night.

It goes without saying, congratulations on ''Pretty Woman''.  I can only imagine how exciting it was when you received that news.

Oh, my Gosh.  I can’t even tell you.  Musicals have always been something i’d love to do, but i always just put it in the ''too hard basket.'' It always seemed to be something that i watched and i was like: ''How are they doing all of those things at once? It seems too hard.'' I just thought i couldn’t do it.  And this movie, i love this movie so much.  And my mum and i, it was one of our favourite films to watch together.  So it just felt like the stars aligned for this one.  I just knew i was going to try it out, see how i go, and, yeah, receiving the news that i actually got it…i was like: ''Oh, God. Now i’ve actually got to do it well!''

As you mentioned it was in the ''too hard basket'', but with pop, your voice is often leading the storytelling, and in theatre it’s the character.  How did you shift between Samantha Jade, the artist, and Vivian Ward, the character?

Do you know what? It’s a very different way of singing. That’s something that i’ve definitely learned. It’s a different way of expressing and pushing and vibrato, and just technically, it’s very different to how I sing my music. I think that was really nice, because it really does separate me from the character. I think people will be surprised, because i am singing in such a different way.

And as this one of your favourite films, as you mentioned, and Julia Roberts’s performance is so iconic.  Is there any pressure for you in honouring the character, but at the same you’re making Vivian your own.

Oh, God, absolutely. I’d be lying if I said there wasn’t pressure. There definitely is. But i think that i can take on the Julia Roberts that i know so well, because i love the film so much. She’s one of my favourite actors of all time. But, mostly for me, because this is a musical and a music platform, i feel like i get to do it my own way.  Obviously, i’m acting and saying all the iconic lines, but the singing is when you can’t have any more spoken word, and it’s the perfect thing for me. I’m a singer and it’s my favourite art form. But i’ve been trying to find a balance.

Do you find that with pop music and performing in concert, you can improvise in a lot of ways, but with theatre it’s about hitting your mark. Is there a way for you to keep performances fresh, even though there’s a structure?  

I think what’s lovely about (''Pretty Woman: The Musical'') is everything is very choreographed. Obviously, you’ve got to hit all your lighting cues and there’s things coming off and on stage, so if you’re in the wrong place, it doesn’t work.  I’m very aware of that. But what’s really nice is, there’s one song called ''I Can’t Go Back'', which is my favourite song of the show. And that song i really have free reign on how I do it. As long as i’m walking to hit my lines, and Rusty (Mowery), who is just the best, he’s our director, who’s come from Broadway, he was like: ''This song is your chance to just tell the story and do it however you want.'' So i kind of have that, which is really nice. That’s my part of the show where i’m just going to see how it goes every night.

Do you feel playing Vivian has changed or deepened your own sense of self as an artist?

Definitely.  Truly.  They’re big songs, and they’re big in a different way than my songs are, or even how i do corporates. The big, long, straight note was something i thought i couldn’t do, because i was so used to riffing off things. In pop, you can kind of go up there and riff off whenever you want.  You can hit it in a scream and then stop.  But this is like: ''No, let’s go ahead and hold those really high notes, every single night.''  It’s challenged me.  Honestly, when i got off the stage after the preview, i was like: ''I can do this!'' I didn’t believe in myself enough.  I didn’t believe i could, and i was really proud of myself. It’s really nice to be able to say you’re proud of yourself.

Well, i might be biased, but knowing your voice, i knew you could do it. You should be so proud.

Oh, that’s so sweet. Thank you.

And with Vivian as a character, going through this transformation, both emotionally and visually, how do you track and calibrate that journey each night so it feels authentic and connected?

A huge thing for me is the costumes and the wigs.  Whenever i step into the character, i become her.  As soon as i have the clothes and wig on, i know who I am. On the side stage, before i walk out, i just tell myself the story of where i’ve been, and i’m just her. The transformation is so fun. That’s why theatre is so fun. You’re a different person for two hours a night.

I imagine it’s one of those things where you put the classic red dress on and then there’s the jewelry snapping moment…

Oh, absolutely. We have to do that every night. It was a blooper in the movie, so it’s not that easy, but Ben (Hall) is just the best Edward ever, and he does it different every night, so i don’t know when it’s coming.

We’re obviously seeing a lot of popular films be adapted for the stage. Is there a favourite film of yours that you would like to see be given the musical treatment?

Oh, that’s such a great question. Do you know? ''Notting Hill''. I feel like that would be such a winner. It’s another Julia (movie), so i’m going to get typecast (laughs), but i just think that would be an amazing musical.

We’ll put it out there in the universe, shall we?

Oh, yes. I’m already auditioning (Laughs).

Personally, i can see you doing a good Kate Beckinsale in ''Serendipity''. I think that would make a great musical.

Oh, my God, that was another of my mum and i’s favourite films. We even went to ''Serendipity'' in New York and had hot chocolate in the spot.

And before i let you go, i’d be a terrible fan if i didn’t ask about new music.  Another EP? Another album? ''Love.Sick'' has kept me going, such a great two-parter, but we are starving for more! So i have to ask…

Well, you’ll be happy to know that there a few songs i’ve been writing. I’m giving myself some time here in Brisbane to focus on the musical, so i need to see how my voice goes and how i go mentally. This is all new to me. But when i’m in Sydney, i think i’ll be used to it by then, so i’ll be putting down some demos. I have a few things planned. There will be new music. If not January, then February.

Well, that’s not too far away! I do have to say congratulations again, it really is so awesome to see everything you’ve achieved in your career. I look at you as the poster child for resilience and never giving up. So, with everything, you deserve to be on this stage where you are, so truly thank you for taking the time out.

You don’t know how much that means to me. Thank you. I really appreciate you.

Link: [X]

30/09/25 - Samantha Jade being interviewed on ''The Scoop'' website

Falling in love: Samantha Jade & Ben Hall on the magic of ''Pretty Woman''

This weekend, ''Pretty Woman: The Musical'' makes its highly anticipated australian premiere in Brisbane before touring to Sydney. Starring Samantha Jade as Vivian and Ben Hall as Edward, the rom-com that launched Julia Roberts’ career is now a smash hit stage musical.

''The Scoop'' had the pleasure of sitting down with Samantha and Ben for a chat ahead of the season. The pair talk all things ''Pretty Woman'', including what’s similar about the musical, what’s different from the film, and why they work so easily together. Read the full interview below.

Samantha, can you share the story of your connection to the original film and where you were when you got the call that you’d booked this role?

Samantha: ''Yes, it’s quite a great story. I love the movie. I always have. I always used to watch it with my mum. We would watch these couple of films, and ''Pretty Woman'' was always number one on the list. And last year, it was the ten-year anniversary of her passing. And so i watched that movie a lot, just because it made me feel close to her. And then i got this call to maybe audition for the musical, and i thought: ''You know what? It feels like a stars aligning thing''. So i thought i’d just go in and see. I didn’t expect to get it. But i did. I was in LA performing at ''G’day LA'', that event for australians in LA. And as i was checking out of the ''Beverly Wiltshire'' hotel, i got the call. Which is so crazy. I only stayed there for one night. But it was just such an amazing thing. It just felt like all of the things lined up, and it was such an orchestrated moment.''

I’ve heard it said a few times, actually, that what’s meant for you is easy.

Samantha: ''Yes, wow! That’s a great saying.''

Ben, what was your connection to the film? And do you have a story that you can share when you found out?

Ben: ''I’d been moving around a lot the last 12-18 months. I was living down in Wye River when i found out. But it was one of those really easy moments, as you just mentioned. Like the initial audition process was with someone i knew and loved as a director, and an MD who i also knew and loved. And so that first process was like a two-hour sit-down with the script, just to have a play and see what comes out. And it was such a nice process, such an easy process, that i think they got my best work out of me. And it was kind of all like that. The rehearsal process has been like that, too.''

Samantha: ''Yeah, so nice.''

Ben: ''It has been really, really lovely. Connection to the film? The film came out before I was born.''

Samantha: ''I was four. He loves to talk about our age gap (Laughs).''

Ben: ''But it was so iconic that it was on all the time. I felt like i knew the references from the film. I feel like i’ve known them forever. But sitting down and actually watching the full film, i think it was when i was in high school. I was taking a sick day or something and it was on. And then obviously, i re-watched it again when i got the call about doing this. It took a long time to sink in when i got the news, actually. I was living in this tiny little town, and i didn’t have my friends or family, apart from my partner, to share it with and go crazy about. So i was just on the beach, kind of sitting there, thinking about how everything’s about to change massively, touring around with this incredible show.''

It’s hard to believe, but there are some people who have never seen the original film. So, for those people, can you tell me, in a nutshell, what ''Pretty Woman'' is about?

Samantha: ''It’s a classic rom-com. It’s a love story about two people who are from completely different worlds, unlikely to meet, unlikely to fall in love, and they do. And it’s really about them saving each other in different ways.''

Ben: ''I like that with the musical, we flip it on its head a little bit. I feel like it’s more weighted on the fact that she saves him from this world of believing that money, wealth and power are everything. But he finds that it’s sort of soulless. And she is so in touch with herself, so charismatic and alive. She’s the one who makes him realise what’s important in life.''

For people who know and love the film inside and out, what can audiences expect to see in the musical that has been retained from the film?

Ben: ''Well, the film’s original writer wrote the script for the musical as well. Therefore, he was allowed to steal as much as he wanted from the original. So there are scenes that are pretty much word-for-word. All the iconic moments that you’d expect to see, they’re all there. Apart from one, which I will maybe ruin for people. The one that I wish was in there is the ‘slippery little suckers’ scene with the snails.''

Samantha: ''I think they had to change that because that was when they were going to dinner. And now they go dancing. But all the big moments are in there, like the bath, the jewellery box. The opera scene.''

Ben: ''We have some proper opera singers for that, too. It’s their first time doing a musical, and their voices are just unreal.''

Samantha: ''And the music is so good. I mean, Bryan Adams knows how to write a hit. So he’s really captured that ‘80s pop-rock sound. They’re really memorable and really great. There’s also a lovely thread throughout it, about never giving up on your dreams, and yourself, really. And you get to know some of the characters much more in the musical.''

What are some of the new elements audiences can expect?

Ben: The character of Happy Man, played by Tim Omaji, is a much bigger role. He actually plays multiple characters throughout.

Is he the one who says: ''Welcome to Hollywood! What’s your dream?'' in the film?

Samantha: ''Yeah!''

Ben: ''So he’s our narrator, our fairy godfather figure; he is there throughout the whole story, making things work. And his dancing is unreal, his acting is unreal. So that’s a big shift.''

Samantha: ''And i think even Kit’s character. In the film, you don’t really get to know her. In the musical, you really do. Michelle Brasier, who plays Kit, is so funny. She’s so brilliant. She’s such a powerhouse singer, too. And there’s also some really great moments with different people, like the opera singer.''

Ben: ''And there are some big ensemble numbers, too.''

What have you learned about yourselves as performers during this rehearsal process? Has anything surprised you or challenged you in ways you didn’t expect?

Samantha: ''I guess i’ve learned that maybe i can do this.''

Ben: ''You definitely can.''

Samantha: ''I was so nervous going in. But i think that for me, i’ve kind of surprised myself with how i’ve taken it in my stride. I mean, i haven’t actually done it yet. (Laughs) But so far so good.''

Ben: ''I think we always place a lot of pressure on ourselves, and we have such huge doubts about what we can achieve. Part of the message of this show is: never give up on your dreams, keep working, find your self-worth and believe in yourself. Those sorts of themes have resonated with me while I’ve been in the rehearsal room. I haven’t really done a big song and dance musical like this for seven or eight years. So once we’re back in the arena, it’s like: ''Does this thing still work?''

Samantha: ''Yeah, it does.''

That’s so great, i love that. I just found out that you’re both from Perth! Do you guys have anything else in common, or are there things where you are complete opposites?

Ben: ''We both have dogs.''

Samantha: ''We are both obsessed with our dogs from Perth.''

Ben: ''Me and Pat both wear 'WHOOPs'.''

Samantha: ''Yes, my husband also wears a 'WHOOP'. I don’t think there are any opposite things. I think we’re pretty similar in the way that we’re quite chill.''

Ben: ''Yeah. That chill Perth energy.''

Samantha: ''Thank God, because we didn’t do a chemistry test. We just met and started working.''

Ben: ''It would have been a lot harder if we really didn’t get on.''

Samantha: ''Really hard.''

It might be too soon to ask, Samantha, but now that you are in the musical world, are there any roles or shows on your bucket list?

Samantha: ''My dream role has always been to play Roxy in ''Chicago''. That’s always been a dream role of mine. I love that era. I love that musical.''

How about you Ben? Are there any projects or people you’d still like to work with?

Ben: ''One thing that i’ve always thought would be really great to do, like i’m too old now, but an american high school drama. I don’t know why that’s stuck in my mind for years. But it always looked like so much fun. That, or some sort of fantasy, ''Game Of Thrones'' thing. I just think one of those epic, big-budget crazy tv series would be really cool to be a part of.''

Samantha: ''My dream is to play Khaleesi. That is my favourite show of all time.''

I love those answers! And my final question is, what advice would you give to anyone who wants to get into this industry?

Ben: ''I think you really need to trust your management and agency, so make sure you do your research and that you get on really well with those people who represent you. Because that can come back to bite you. And then the other thing i always say to people is, know your contracts, read your contracts.''

Samantha: ''I think as well, you’ve got to be able to work hard. A lot of people see the highlights reel. They see the show, and it looks so fun. But it’s a lot of hard work, and you’ve got to love what you do. Some days are long and tiring. You’ve really got to have the passion for it. And don’t give up on yourself. There are so many talented people out there that it didn’t work out for, and they gave up. Don’t give up. There’s a role out there. There’s room for everyone.''

Ben: ''You never know what tomorrow will bring.''

''Pretty Woman: The Musical'' runs from 5 october – 23 november 2025 at the ''Lyric Theatre'', ''QPAC'' in Brisbane. 

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26/08/25 - Samantha Jade being interviewed for the ''Sydney Travel Guide'' website

Catch Samantha Jade in ''Pretty Woman: The Musical'' when it makes its australian debut in Brisbane in october before coming to Sydney’s ''Theatre Royal'' in november. We spoke with the star about making her own theatrical debut in the lead role as Vivian Ward.

When Samantha Jade takes the stage later this year, it will mark a major career milestone. The ARIA Award–winning pop star, who rose to fame after winning ''The X Factor Australia'' in 2012, is about to make her professional musical theatre debut—and she’s diving straight in as the lead in ''Pretty Woman: The Musical''.

Samantha will first bring Vivian Ward to life in Brisbane this october, before Sydney audiences get their first taste of her stage debut at ''Theatre Royal'' in november:

''It’s so exciting and i feel so lucky'', she says of the opportunity, ''At my age, to do things that scare you and to jump into a whole new world is kind of rare. Musical theatre is something i’ve always admired, but i’ve also been intimidated by it — the singing, acting and dancing all at once, live every night. It’s next level. I can’t wait to learn from everyone and just be part of this world that I’m such a fan of.''

Finding strength in ''Pretty Woman''

For Samantha, ''Pretty Woman'' is more than just another role. The story holds a special place in her heart:

''My mum was a huge fan of the film and Julie Roberts was one of her favourite actors'', she recalls, saying, ''We would have these little comfort films that we would always watch if it was a rainy day or a movie on the couch kinda day. [''Pretty Woman''] was probably top of the list.''

Last year, the tenth anniversary year of her mother’s passing, Samantha found herself turning to the film for comfort:

''It was a tough year, and i watched ''Pretty Woman'' a lot. When this role came along, it just felt like the timing was meant to be — almost like the universe stepping in.''

Of course, stepping into the role of Vivian Ward comes with a certain weight:

''I mean i’m not gonna try and take on Julia Roberts! She’s one of the best actors of all time in my opinion'', says Samantha. But she’ll be drawing on Roberts’s original portrayal while also putting her own stamp on the iconic character:

''You’d be silly not to draw on certain things [from Julia’s performance], but i think there’s more that i can bring to [the role] in different ways. Like for me, i feel so lucky to get to sing these songs as music is really my way of expressing myself. So it’s about balancing it out: taking some things from her [portrayal] and then putting my own stamp on it.''

Naturally, movies and musicals are very different. On stage, the characters are explored in far more depth, as ''the songs sum up a lot of things you were probably feeling in the movie, but didn’t quite experience.'' Audiences will also see Vivian stepping into her power much more, and also helping Edward step into his own emotions more too.

That’s the magic of live theatre: a familiar story that hits even harder when it’s unfolding right in front of you, complete with soaring, heart-wrenching songs.

For audiences, that means revisiting a beloved classic in a fresh way.

Preparing for the spotlight

They’ve not yet started group rehearsals, but Samantha has begun warming up for the role. The australian director, Liam, said to me:

''In week three, if you’re not pulling your hair out and wondering: ''How am i going to do this?'', you’re doing something wrong.''

She’s also been picking the brain of her co-star — and her Edward — Ben Hall. Also from Perth, Hall has several major musical theatre credits under his belt, including ''Les Misérables'' and ''Only Heaven Knows'':

''He’s been amazing to talk to through the promo process'', she says.

And while the story carries weighty themes, Samantha says audiences can also expect plenty of fun:

''The whole show, i feel, everyone will leave with such a smile on their face because it really is about remembering what your dream is. Everybody has a dream, and you should never give up on that dream — no matter how old you are or what your circumstances might be. The sentiment of the show really is beautiful.''

As our conversation winds to an end, Samantha reflects ''what an honour to originate such an iconic role in my home country?''. From a comfort film she used to watch with her mum, to a brand-new opportunity to step out of her comfort zone and into the next chapter of her career — her excitement is palpable, and it’s clear that this is a production she’s deeply invested in.

Whether you know every line of the film by heart or you’re meeting Vivian and Edward for the very first time, this is one show that is sure to sweep Sydney off its feet when it arrives in november.

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''Pretty Woman: The Musical'' website

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25/02/25 - Samantha Jade being interviewed for the ''Westfield'' website

Mardi Gras 2025: Celebrating community with Samantha Jade

Mardi Gras is more than just a parade — it’s a bold declaration of pride, love, and inclusivity that lights up the streets of Sydney every year. Since 1978, the iconic event has grown to become a vibrant showcase of the creativity, diversity, and self-expression of the LGBTQIA+ community, with this year’s events centering around the theme ''Free To Be'' — celebrating the storied history of the parade and recognising that we are only free when we are all free to be.

At the heart of the celebration is singer-songwriter, actress, and dancer Samantha Jade, who stands as a powerful ally and advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community and will be performing at Pullman Pride Park’s Pre Mardi Gras party this year. Ahead of the parade, we managed to speak to Samantha to discuss what Mardi Gras means to her, her connection with the community, and what inspires her style for the vibrant event.

You’re performing at Mardi Gras! How does it feel to be part of such an iconic celebration of love and equality?

I love Mardi Gras — it's genuinely one of my favourite times of year. I think that Pride, and what the LGBTQIA+ community celebrates during Pride is acceptance and community, and that's why i love performing in front of those audiences so much! I feel confident because it’s just a room full of pure love and support, which makes for the best place to perform.

Mardi Gras is all about expressing yourself. How do you channel that energy into your performance?

One of the things i love about Mardi Gras is the expression — go big or go home! Different shows call for different things, but when it comes to Mardi Gras, you can do whatever you want, you can live your fantasies. I love getting to sing songs that really connect with the community. They know the ad libs, they know the backgrounds, and for me that’s so much fun.

You’ve always had a special connection with the LGBTQIA+ community. What does it mean to you to celebrate Mardi Gras with them?

I feel honoured to be able to be part of the crew and, and to be there to celebrate them. It's a community that's gone through many hardships and that's had to really stick together. I acknowledge what they've gone through, and i appreciate being able to have fun with them and perform for them. When i perform, the community shows me so much love, so i just want to support and give all the love i can back. I'm very grateful for all the support over the years from the community.

Your style is always on point! How do you approach your Mardi Gras look, and what inspires your fashion choices for such a vibrant event?

Thank you! I love fashion and i love style, and it's a big part of my music writing process. I don't know if i could write my songs or be in the videos without fashion because it translates the music in a different way. When it comes to Mardi Gras, i look for glitter, rhinestones, and i look to be shiny. I'm doing a performance this year and the saying is ''Let Your Pride Shine'', and i love that because it really is about shining. Shining from the inside is the most important, but we can shine from the outside too.

Do you have any go-to stores at Westfield when you’re planning your Mardi Gras look?

I always go into Billini at Westfield — they have any kind of shoe you want. I'm obviously looking for something shiny, something a little bit more dressy, and Billini always has it. Camilla's also a go-to, it’s just such an experience to go into that store because it's loud and it's proud and it's fun. BEC + BRIDGE is always a favourite for me, they have such beautiful pieces that are made so well, so they last — I’ve got BEC + BRIDGE pieces that I’ve had for years that I still wear. And i can’t go past MECCA! A big part of my performance is always the beauty look — it’s hair, it’s makeup, it’s creating a look, creating a feel. So i always go in there for glitter and hairspray to make the hair bigger.

What are your must-have beauty essentials for a day full of dancing and celebrating?

I love the glam. I think for a long day of dancing with makeup, you definitely need a good primer. It starts from the skincare; the moisturiser, the primer. I think on a day like Mardi Gras, you can go ahead and use your glitter, use a lash, you can go a bit louder with your makeup, which is fun. Same with the hair — it’s all about prep! The mousse before, and if you’re doing a big look, some hairspray. For me, it’s about getting my tan on the night before as well. That’s why MECCA is so good, you can go and get everything from there!

Westfield is known for having everything under one roof. What’s your shopping strategy when you’re looking for the perfect performance outfit?

I can't explain how many times I go into Westfield a week. It’s bad, i basically live there. I love Westfield because it really does have everything you need. You can spend hours in there and you go in for one thing and you come home with 10, that's fine. I always have a little bit of a plan, so i make a list, tick it off. For Mardi Gras, i go for one outfit, one look — shoes, beauty and the outfit.

Link: [X]

30/08/24 - Samantha Jade being interviewed for the ''9honey Celebrity'' website

Samantha Jade reflects on her time in the music industry after her ''The X Factor Australia'' win over a decade ago: ''I truly can't believe it''

Twelve years ago, Samantha Jade won over the hearts of the nation and her life changed when she was announced the winner of the now-defunct show, ''The X Factor Australia''.

Since then, Jade, 37, has found great success in the music industry, releasing songs including ''Bounce'' and ''What You've Done To Me''. 

Jade, who is married to Pat Handlin, is now set to dominate the charts again with the release of her catchy new tune, ''Peachy'':

"I'm so excited. I feel like when you write music usually you have it for ages, and as the artist, you're like: ''I've been listening to it for ages", she tells ''9honey Celebrity''. I still play this all the time and love it."

Jade, who has written music for the likes of JoJo and Ashley Tisdale, adds:

"I'm really happy i wrote it as if i heard this, i would be like: ''God, i wish i wrote that! It's a fun, pop, happy and feel-good song."

Reflecting on it being 12 years since she won ''The X Factor Australia'', the singer admitted she "truly can't believe it":

"It's so amazing to think at the time i did something like that, because actually it was really hard, that show was quite brutal, you almost get kicked off every week," she says, "Obviously after the show, it's [about] staying relevant, putting your music out there and building your career but i really, really wish they'd bring back ''The X Factor Australia'' as i think that show was such a brilliant school for artists, you learn so much", she says.

Jade credits her fans for helping her keep motivated in the music industry and says music is "what my soul loves":

"I feel like it's my purpose", she says.

In 2014, Jade also won hearts with her portrayal of aussie icon Kylie Minogue in the miniseries ''Never Tear Us Apart: The Untold Story Of INXS''.

Surprisingly, Jade admits she's never actually met Minogue, 56, in person.

When asked if she would ever perform with the hitmaker if she tours Down Under, which she recently teased, she says it would be a "dream":

"Oh my Gosh, what a dream. That's a great idea, lets put that out in the universe," she says with a laugh:

"I've never met her, i've never met Kylie. I know Dannii", she says, "I've spoken to her on the phone, and she was so kind when my mum was unwell and we've been at events but we've never met, and she gave me tickets to her show. The universe is keeping us apart."

Samantha Jade's new track ''Peachy'' is out now.

Lien: [X]

20/08/24 - Samantha Jade surprising and teaching students the ''Peachy'' choreo at ''The Basement Dance Studio'' owned by her backup dancer Shannon Riley at Cromer

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Behind the scenes from ''The Daily Telegraph'' website:

17/08/24 - Samantha Jade being interviewed for the ''ABC News'' website

Sugary pop music meets exquisite lyrics on Samantha Jade's ''Love.Sick Volume 2''

When Samantha Jade found her love match in husband Pat Handlin, it was a symphonic union made in music Heaven:

"With Pat and i, one of the things we really connected on was music because he loves music as well", Jade told ''ABC News''. But he, actually, is in a different side of music. He is an A&R [artists and repertoire representative]. So, obviously that role means that you go to someone like Pat, and you say to him: ''I want to make a record like this'' and then he puts you in the right rooms with the right writers. And he has great ears so he can hear what the mix needs."

Jade says music is a big part of their love story, and the two sit for hours listening to songs:

"Couples have their little thing that they do, and ours really is music'', Jade said. We listen to old-school music. We listen to different genres. When we watched the ''Elvis'' movie, we got obsessed with that soundtrack. Then we went down a rabbit hole of watching literally every live performance of ''Elvis's that he'd ever done. So, i feel like that part of our love is really great that we can really connect on that level."

When asked about her father-in-law, former ''Sony Music Australia'' boss Denis Handlin, Jade quickly shut down that line of questioning.

''You can be someone else''

The singer / songwriter is promoting her new EP ''Love.Sick Volume 2'', which is the type of satisfying treat made for those of us with a sweet tooth for sugary pop.

But don't be fooled by the candied package. While tracks like ''On And On'' are boppy fun, the tastefully moody song ''New Me'' is lyrically exquisite.

If it wasn't for one cringe-worthy line in ''Set Fire'' about a tired guy running through her mind, the EP's scales would tip in favour of nature's candy, like you get on ''Peachy''. Singing is my favourite thing to do, but i love to write'', Jade says, "And i feel like writing is a very interesting part of the job because you can really explore different things…you can take on a role. You can be someone else, and it's fun."

Career highs and lows

Jade has had a journey of ups and downs:

"I started when i was really young and i started really, really high", Jade says, "When i went to LA, i was so young, i was like 16 and i literally started by being signed to ''Jive Records''. That was my first record deal. And they had Britney [Spears] and Justin [Timberlake] and P!nk and NSYNC, you know, all the people. And i was like: ''Oh my God, this is huge. I'm from Lockridge in Perth.''

Even when she's been on a roll, it's been a rollercoaster:

"Even on ''The X Factor Australia'', I was in the bottom two, three times."

She went on to win the competition:

"I really am a believer in 'things are written' and things are as they're going to be, and you just have to ride the waves and you just have to try if you can", she said, "And not that I don't have my bad days. I do. I have days all the time where I'm like: ''I should just quit. No-one cares. But i do try very hard to live by the kind of idea of, you know, you go through stuff. If there's something you can take from it, that must be what that was for."

Late mother would have loved ''Dancing With The Stars Australia'' appearance

There are some things, though, that are just unfair and unfathomable.

Jade was this week the runner-up in ''Dancing With The Stars Australia'' and the one thing she would have loved to do was call her mother, who died of cancer in 2014:

"Of course, you learn to go on with life. You have to, there's no choice", she said, "But there's just moments, even being on ''Dancing With The Stars Australia'', there's been that moment of being like my mum would have just loved this. And how great would it have been to hear from her after the shows and have her come and see it, you know? We were so close. I mean, she's my mum. She's the person that brought you into the world. She's the person that i would call when anything went wrong, when everything went right, she's my first phone call."

Jade's Indian heritage a source of pride

Jade's mother was born in Scotland. Her father has Indian heritage:

"My culture is very important to me", she said, "I grew up with more of my indian family because my scottish family mostly is still in Scotland. My mum actually grew up in Africa, so she went from Scotland to Africa, then to Australia. So, my indian family is who i grew up with, so i literally grew up on curry and rice and with all my indian family with their Indian accents, and i'm very, very, very proud of my culture."

She grew up singing Bollywood songs around the house:

"My aunties, oh, my God. When i'd go get babysat by my nana, that's all we were watching, Bollywood films, and then sometimes The Bill."

Getting the stamp of approval from Kylie Minogue

It's been 10 years since Jade starred as Kylie Minogue in ''Never Tear Us Apart: The Untold Story Of INXS.''

She said the experience was "beyond nerve-wracking":

"I was like: ''Wait, i'm going to play Kylie? And she might watch it? Like what?''. That freaked me out. I literally locked myself away and i watched every interview [with Minogue] and watched everything because her mannerisms are so iconic…i wanted to do a good job. I wanted to do it justice."

And according to Minogue, she rose to the occasion:

"She said it was good, thank God", Jade said, "Because i was like: ''Oh my God, if she says: ''Yeah, it didn't feel like it was like me at all'', i'd be like:  ''Oh, my God, i can't sleep. She was really sweet about it. She was like: ''I thought you did a great job. I was so happy that you played the role''. So, I was very grateful for that feedback."

Jade vocal about mental health

While playing Minogue may have caused Jade some anxiety, it is not something she has not dealt with before.

She is a vocal advocate for prioritising mental health, having suffered crippling anxiety:

"To be honest, when it first happened, i didn't speak about it", she said, "Like you keep it kind of happy. I'm a singer, my music's pop and it's up[beat], and then i was like: ''Hang on''. "The only thing that made me feel better during that time was knowing that pretty much everyone has dealt with it. There are so many people you talk to. And i was like, i need to share that i'm going through this. If it can help one or two people, then that's good enough for me."

''Love.Sick Volume 2'' by Samantha Jade is out now.

Link: [X]

16/08/24 - Samantha Jade being interviewed on the ''PerthNow'' website

WA’s Samantha Jade rides highs and lows of love in ''Love.Sick Volume 2'' in follow-up to 2022 EP

Life as a pop star is not always peachy, as Perth-born singer Samantha Jade has come to learn.

Releasing her first EP since 2022 on a Friday — a follow-up album titled ''Love.Sick Volume 2'' — Jade has written, and ridden, the highs and lows of love as expressed through her nostalgic single ''Peachy''.

Produced by Grammy-nominated Morgan Taylor Reid, the 37-year-old suggests her five-track EP will have fans reaching for the tissues — whether they’re in love or out of it.

But don’t expect a seismic shift from her sonic identity.

“I’ve kept it in the pop world. That’s what i like to do, and i’m calling it a love letter to love”, Jade told ''PerthNow'', “So finding love, losing love. They’re all kind of up tempos and fun and then there’s one ballad and it’s about my mum. It’s called ''New Me'' and it’s about losing love, and really how hard it is to kind of move on from that.”

Little recent public acknowledgement of her husband, former ''Sony Music'' executive Pat Handlin, has fuelled speculation the couple might have separated.

Asked if the upbeat ''Peachy'' was directly inspired by her romantic relationship, the Sydney-based artist remained tight-lipped about her muse:

“I think when you’re writing a love song, you obviously think about the person you love”, Jade reflected before admitting the ode to love was not penned solely by her; “I didn’t write this alone, I wrote with three other people. And i think we all kind of pulled from our versions of when you find that someone that you feel really knows you and really loves you.”

Reinforcing her prerogative of keeping the public out of her private life, Jade added:

“I try and keep some stuff for me. Of course, you don’t want everything to be shown — no one would.”

Dropping ''What You’ve Done To Me'' as her X-Factor winner’s single in 2012, local fans of the WA-raised artist might be shocked to learn she was credited in a Hollywood film as an 18-year-old living in California.

Awaiting her Perth homecoming at the time, a fateful call from her then-record label catapulted the emerging talent into the studio and onto the LA streets to shoot a ground-breaking video clip:

“They’re like: ''We’re so sorry, you’re not gonna be able to go home because you’re gonna have to record this song. There’s this movie coming out called ''Step Up'', and we’d love for you to be on the soundtrack”, Jade recalled, “Then they sent me the people on the soundtrack and i was like: ‘Hang on. Amazing. I need to like, check myself here.’”

Meeting acting star Channing Tatum at ''Step Up’s premiere — the film that launched his career — Jade’s title track ''Step Up'' features alongside hits by household names Chris Brown, Ciara and Shaun Paul:

“Cut to now every single person is like: ''I cannot believe you’re on that soundtrack. I didn’t know it was you singing that song i knew in high school”, she smiled.

With family on the West Coast close to her heart while thousands of kilometres away, the singer lost her mother to cancer in 2014 and finds catharsis in returning home “more often than people think”:

“Cottesloe Beach is my favourite and it was my mum’s favourite place. So when i want to feel close to her, i go there and i definitely feel her”, Jade revealed.

Admitting she’s a fan of fellow Perth-raised artist Troye Sivan, the pair’s families met when Jade opened for One Direction in 2015.

With Sivan making his ''Telethon'' debut in 2006 as an 11-year-old, Jade is set to headline this october’s heart-warming iteration following several memorable performances at the annual fundraiser prior to COVID-19.

After her second-place finish in ''Dancing With The Stars Australia'' earlier this week, 2024 might prove to be the busiest and most physically demanding of Jade’s career.

With arguably the 21st century’s most iconic dance film as her professional introduction to the art form, the part-time turned full-time dancer revealed a newfound respect for her supporting acts:

“Now i watch them in a different way, because i know how hard this is”, she said.

Link: [X]

13/08/24 - Samantha Jade being interviewed on the ''Yahoo! Lifestyle'' website

Samantha Jade posing with Lachlan Guertin.

Interview snippet:

Full interview:

12/08/24 - Samantha Jade being interviewed for the ''Frooty'' website

Samantha Jade on dancing into a new era and using music as an escape

Fresh off the back of making it into the final of Channel Seven's ''Dancing With The Stars Australia'', Samantha Jade is riding high. It’s a milestone that has caught even her by surprise:

"Do you know what? I was just so excited to get through even week one", Samantha Jade admits about her time on this year's ''Dancing With The Stars Australia'', her voice still buzzing with disbelief, "So to come this far – oh my God, this is amazing. The experience of this show has been just so crazy because i went in so nervous, thinking: ''Oh my God, i'm not going to be able to do this. What have i done?''. But once you start getting it, and understanding it, you just feel so much better about yourself. Every week, it's like: ''I can't believe i made it this far.'' Hard work really does pay off."

The journey from week one jitters to finalist confidence has been a whirlwind, but Samantha isn’t slowing down. As she prepares for the next stage of the competition, her game plan is clear: "Oh my Gosh, i’m just going to work my hardest, really go over and over and over the routine, really step into character."

For Samantha, dancing is more than just movement – it's about becoming someone else entirely:

"The interesting thing about dancing is that it's a lot of acting as well. You’ve really got to take on a role, and every character is different when you’re dancing. So i think it’s just about putting my heart and soul into it."

And she’s not doing it alone. A huge part of her success, she says, comes down to her dance partner, Gustavo Viglio:

"He’s really unbelievable. He’s a great teacher, and his belief in me really keeps me going. I’m going to rely a lot on my teammate for this one."

Balancing her demanding ''Dancing With The Stars Australia'' schedule with her music career seems like a Herculean task, but Samantha shrugs it off with a laugh:

"I love being busy. So for me, it works. I prefer to be busy than not busy. I just feel lucky that i can wear all these hats. I love it."

Busy is an understatement. Just last month, Samantha dropped her new single, ''Peachy'', a track she’s clearly smitten with:

"I love this song. It’s one of those songs where, if i heard it, i’d be like: ''I wish i wrote that.'' It’s just such a fun bop."

The song, with its nostalgic nods to the ’90s and early 2000s, was a collaborative effort with producer Morgan Taylor Reid, who laid down the chords that sparked the track's creation:

"We wanted to write something that was pop and felt nostalgic, and when Morgan came up with the chords, that’s when it really grew from there."

''Peachy'' is just a taste of what’s to come from Samantha’s upcoming EP ''Love.Sick Volume 2'', a project she describes as "a love letter to love."

''Love.Sick Volume 2'' explores every facet of love:

"The whole EP is based on that nostalgic pop sound. I’m calling it a love letter to love'', Samantha says,  ''There are songs about every kind of realm of love – losing love, finding love, being in love, learning to love."

In the studio, Samantha found herself in familiar, comfortable surroundings:

"I was so lucky to work with my long-time collaborators and friends on this record. It was really nice to have that comfort of knowing you’re in a safe place and any idea is a good idea."

The recording process was a labour of love, with Samantha fully immersed in every detail:

"I wanted to make sure that on this, i was helping with vocal production, and really, i wrote everything. So it was nice having my stamp on it all."

The EP is largely upbeat and filled with feel-good tracks, something Samantha felt was essential given the state of the world:

"I think with this one, I kept it really up-tempo. There’s one ballad about losing love, about my mum, but everything else is just fun and up-tempo and feel-good. That’s what i want people to do. I think we’ve been through enough; the world’s a tough place to be in right now, and i feel like i just wanted to write a record for people to feel like they can escape."

With more than two decades in the industry, Samantha Jade’s music has evolved, but her core principles remain the same:

"It’s always stayed in the pop realm, but it depends on what i’m inspired by at the time. It always goes back to loving a great chorus, loving great melodies, loving great vocals. For me, whenever you hear a record of mine, i want people to feel like they can really connect with it."

Samantha Jade is a force to be reckoned with – a pop diva who won’t quit, no matter how full her plate is. Whether she’s dazzling us on the dancefloor or giving us the soundtrack to our lives, one thing is clear: she’s just getting started.

Samantha Jade's new single ''Peachy'' is out now. Her EP ''Love.Sick Volume 2'' is out friday august 16th 2024.

Link: [X]

06/08/24 - Samantha Jade interviewed for the ''PerthNow'' website

AFL star Ben Cousins and WA singer Samantha Jade forge friendship through ''Dancing With The Stars Australia''

One is a retired football star, and the other has quickly become a master of the ballroom — now Ben Cousins and Samantha Jade are set to waltz into the semifinals of ''Dancing With The Stars Aiustralia'' as friends and foes.

Sharing a bond as the competition’s only two Perth-raised talents, the pair had never met until their parallel fates were written into the stars and onto national TV screens.

''I love Samantha, i have admired what she’s done from afar for a long time'', Cousins told ''PerthNow''.

''Being a Perth girl, you take a little bit of extra interest and follow her pursuits.''

Collecting middling scores for his Foxtrot, Cha Cha Cha, and Viennese Waltz, respectively, Cousins revealed “almost paralysing” nerves prevented him from replicating his training form despite partner Siobhan Power’s calming influence.

With a team-first mentality ingrained from his Eagles playing days, the Brownlow winner admits he was cheering a little louder for his WA rival.

''I think we should have wished each other well and supported each other through it a bit more than the others'', the 46-year-old suggested.

Describing Jade’s skills on the dancefloor as ''incredible'', he’s proud to see her strongly representing our state as a competition frontrunner.

Somewhat star-struck at their first encounter, the singer, 37, recalled introducing herself to the ''sweet and quiet'' Perth local in an initial cast meeting.

“I was like: ''I’m just going to go say hi, introduce myself'', and he was like: ''I know who you are because you’re from Perth''; Jade told ''PerthNow'', “And i was like: ''Oh, you know who i am? That’s so cool, i didn’t know you realised!''

Not just a hit with fans, the pocket rocket admitted her family paid more attention to her exploits on the show once they became aware of the company she kept.

With her father’s history as a Colts player, she knew that she had to provide evidence of their newfound friendship with a sneaky selfie:

''My family hadn’t replied to me in weeks after i’d sent them all this stuff about ''Dancing With The Stars Australia''. Now they’re all like: ''Oh my God, so exciting!''. So they loved it, it was really cool'', Jade recalled.

Proving a powerhouse sans microphone, she and partner Gustavo Viglio scored an impressive 39 out of 40 for their Cha Cha Cha on sunday night, stamping their credentials as likely winners.

While performing comes more naturally to her than others, the ''Soldier'' singer lauded Cousins’ efforts as someone who’d never danced before:

''I think he is doing so well. I can’t imagine me trying to play football, it would be just so out of his comfort zone, but he’s killing it'', she said.

Recalling ex-teammates’ prowess on the dancefloor, Cousins said he caught up with Dean Cox in Sydney during filming and believed the ruckman never quite capitalised on his fortune of being married to a former ballroom dancer:

''I don’t think he made the most of her expertise and had gone to the trouble of learning'', he joked.

Cousins, naming interim coach Jarrad Schofield as a confident mover, said his former teammate ''didn’t mind getting up and having a dance, though it didn’t offer much correlation to the ballroom or Latin dancing.''

Cousins and Jade prepare to face off in the ''Dancing With The Stars Australia'' semifinals this sunday from 07pm on Channel Seven and 7Plus.

Link: [X]

29/07/24 - Samantha Jade being interviewed for the ''Yahoo! Lifestyle'' website

Samantha Jade reveals why she turned down ''Dancing With The Stars Australia'' multiple times

EXCLUSIVE: The pop star spills on her experience in the competition and reveals the ''most challenging'' part.

She’s arguably one of the best performers on this year’s season of ''Dancing With The Stars Australia'', but it turns out Samantha Jade almost didn’t appear on the reality show. The ''ARIA'' award-winning singer-songwriter admitted to ''Yahoo! Lifestyle'' in 2022 following her stint on ''The Celebrity Apprentice Australia'' that she had been asked to take part in the dancing competition ''multiple times'', but repeatedly turned it down:

''I've been asked to do them all'', she said at the time, listing ''I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! Australia'', ''The Masked Singer Australia'' and ''Dancing With The Stars Australia'' as shows she kept saying ''no'' to.

Fast forward two years and Samantha is one of the favourites to take home the coveted Mirror Ball trophy alongside her dance partner Gustavo Viglio. Speaking to ''Yahoo! Lifestyle'' about her decision to finally appear on the long-running series, the hitmaker admits that the reason why she never said ''yes'' is because she was ''scared'':

''I think they asked me last november and i was kind of like: ''Oh, i'm not sure'' again and then took ages to say yes, and my manager was like: ''What is it? What are you scared of? What is the thing?'', she reflects, ''I think i was like: ''Oh no, i won't be good at it, it'll be too hard'', and putting it in that basket of the ''too hard'' thing. And then i was like, why am i doing that? Like, how fun to learn a new skill as well?''

Samantha adds that she was keen to do something outside of her comfort zone and switch up her routine, saying: 

''When you get to a certain age you don't do things that scare you anymore. You’ve got your little setups, you've got your life, you know what you can do. And i was like: ''That's not a good thing.'' I want to do something that scares me and gives me that ''Ooh, i'm nervous to do this'' feeling. And what i wanted from the experience is exactly what i got. The first week i was like: ''What have I done? Oh my gosh, this is so hard!''. But it was such a great experience, I loved it.''

Samantha Jade reveals ''most challenging'' part of the competition

While Samantha admits she had an advantage coming into the competition as a full-time performer, she says her experience on ''Dancing With The Stars Australia'' was much harder than she could’ve ever anticipated:

''I don't have stage fright, i perform, i've danced before in my shows, but ballroom and latin dancing are like another level'', she details, ''Even my dancers who dance for me were like: ''Oh, we can't do ballroom and latin, it’d be like starting from scratch'', because all the techniques are so different from anything i do in my shows. So i had to really unlearn a lot of things, which was interesting.''

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26/07/24 - Samantha Jade being interviewed for the ''Yahoo! Lifestyle'' website

Samantha Jade responds to viral TikTok declaring Australia ''failed'' her: ''I'm still here''

EXCLUSIVE: The pop star spills on her new music and why the best is yet to come.

The year is 2012, you’ve just bought some new clothes at Jay Jays, purchased a Flake Shake from Wendy’s, and now you’re on your way to Sanity to buy a signed copy of Samantha Jade’s new album after she won The X Factor Australia. The pop star, who had previously written music for JoJo and Ashley Tisdale and recorded the title song for the 2006 film ''Step Up'', went on to release the platinum-certified singles ''Firestarter'' and ''Soldier'' the following year, cementing her status as a fixture in Australian pop culture.

In the decade since then, Samantha has appeared on ''Home And Away'', opened for One Direction and the Backstreet Boys on tour, and is currently competing on ''Dancing With The Stars Australia''. While she’s continued to release new songs - including her recent bop Peachy which is reminiscent of some of Ariana Grande and Sabrina Carpenter’s biggest hits - her music career became the subject of a viral TikTok this month when one person declared that Australia had ''failed'' her:

''How can i be proud to call myself australian knowing we let down Samantha Jade? We as a nation are responsible for her not making the mainstream and i'll never forgive us for it'', they said.

Social media users echoed this sentiment in the comments, saying ''Firestarter'' is ''the greatest pop song of all time'', ''What You’ve Done To Me'' should’ve won a Grammy'', and they don’t understand how ''Sweet Talk'' ''didn’t go worldwide''. ''HOW IS SHE NOT A GLOBAL SUPERSTAR i will die on this hill forever'', one fan added, while another replied, ''We totally let her down and i don’t understand why! Her music is amazing''. ''Justice for Samantha Jade'', someone else declared.

Samantha tells ''Yahoo! Lifestyle'' that she’s scrolled through all the comments on the video and it feels ''so special'' that people reflect on the early years of her career so fondly and have such strong memories attached to her music, like their first kiss or getting over a break-up.

However, the irony of fans lamenting her career when she’s still releasing songs - which are arguably better than her earlier hits - certainly isn’t lost on her:

''When Australia gets on board, they really get on board. And that's why people from the shows really work in Australia, like so many winners of ''The X Factor'' and ''The Voice'' and all these shows, they're still working and they're still doing it'', she says, ''But i haven't gone anywhere. I'm still here, and i think if people can follow along then it's great. I really do think we should support our own. The fear is that there aren't going to be John Farnhams and Tina Arenas and legends in the country if we don't back australian acts.''

A new chapter

Not only does Samantha look much different than when she made her reality TV debut 12 years ago, but she admits she’s also singing and writing in a whole new way. This is evident in her forthcoming EP ''Love.Sick Volume 2'' where she’s both singing her heart out in Peachy and opening her heart up in ''New Me'', a yet-to-be-released song about her late mother:

''Every time you put out a new project or you work on something new, it does feel like a bit of a rebirth. But i think with this release, i feel like i'm in a different place'', she remarks, ''I think there's a new confidence that i've found, which has been really nice to explore. There's something about this last kind of season of me and even doing [''Dancing With The Stars Australia''] that i've built up a thicker skin, and it's nice because i'm just putting out art now that i really love and not chasing charts and not chasing radio. ''Of course, i would love if it charts and i would love if it gets radio play, but i just really want my fans and the people who have followed me to love what i am giving them, and i want to love what i'm putting out there. And so i'm really come to that place, which is why it does feel like a new season.''

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14/07/24 - Samantha Jade being interviewed for the ''WHO'' magazine website

Samantha Jade on ''Dancing With The Stars Australia'' and her next move

Singer, actress and almost dancer, she is on her way to being a triple threat:

''I’ve actually been asked to do it before, a few times, and i’ve said no out of fear of being not good at it, out of fear of being seen'', Samantha Jade tells ''WHO'' over the phone before her ''Dancing With The Stars Australia'' debut, ''And this year, i don’t know, i was kind of like: ''I’m up for the challenge.''

A singer first, Samantha is used to performing in front of an audience, and even busting out a few moves during the chorus. But take her voice away, and stepping into the spotlight is a very new experience:

''I found it really hard once i didn’t have a microphone in my hand, i didn’t know what to do with my arms. It was really challenging and i realised i really rely on the comfort of singing in my microphone. So [being on stage without that] was a really cool thing to be able to explore'', she explains, ''I think that at my age, sometimes you just get so used to comfort and you don’t challenge yourself anymore. And it’s such an amazing opportunity to challenge myself'', the 37-year-old performer adds.

Fresh to the dance scene she may be, but Samantha Jade has been on our screens before. In 2012, she became the first female winner of ''The X Factor Australia''. She tells ''WHO'' that her TV talent show past prepared her for the pace on ''Dancing With The Stars Australia'':

''The X Factor Australia'' was similar in a way that you’re performing live every week and it’s all in – you’ve got to give it your all'', she says, ''But it’s so different because this is completely not my talent. Singing is my thing. This is so out of my comfort zone and what i do, so i’m loving that.''

Indeed, Samantha knows not to get complacent about having TV experience:

''There is nothing that can prepare you for TV'', she admits, ''You can go in knowing what it is, but you still are as nervous. That’s something i have not mastered. I don’t know if i ever will. The nerves are just at an all-time high, all the time.'' Laughing she continues, “You’re just kind of nervous for every day leading up to it. Then, on the day, [and] then afterwards, because obviously you get your results after. So yeah, i understand the format, but i definitely haven’t mastered not being nervous about it.''

Someone who may help ease the nerves is Samantha’s dance partner, Gustavo Viglio. The Italian-born dance professional won the title of World Latin Youth Vice Champion in 2009 and has many other credits under his belt. He certainly wasn’t afraid to put her through her paces:

''The first day i went in, it was like: ''Hi, nice to meet you'', then straight into stretching, straight into teaching, straight into [him] being like: ''No, that’s not how you do it. Do it again.’ You form a relationship much faster than you would with anybody else, because you just go straight in. We don’t have long to learn all this choreography, so it’s very, very hard work. You have to trust them very quickly and i feel like he really had my best interests at heart. We really did feel like a team. And his energy is great, his energy is infectious. I’m probably much more calm and he’s a lot more energetic than me. I think it’s a really good balance because when i’d be tired and like: ''I don’t want to do it again'', he’s like: ''Come on, you’ve got it in you!'', so it worked out really well.''

The work didn’t stop in the studio with her dance partner, however, with Samantha enlisting her life partner to get involved, too, ''I’d come home [to my husband] and be like, ''My body is so exhausted and so sore, but i need to practise'', so i’d be like: ''Can you help me practise this lift?'', and he’d be like: ''Oh my God, this is so hard! How’re you doing this?'', i think he had a real respect for me with how hard i was working.''

Samantha married Pat Handlin in a romantic celebration in Venice, Italy in 2022:

''I said to him: ''I feel like this is something we need to introduce into our lives'', she adds, ''He is definitely not a dancer – he used to play football. So it’s a bit different, but i’m sure he’d be open to it. I can bump him around.''

Even though, for the next few weeks, dancing will be the only talent on Samantha’s mind, that doesn’t mean she has forgotten her first love, with plans underway for her to release new music soon:

''When i took on this show, i kind of knew i wouldn’t have time to put everything into my music. So i prepared my music before. I’m so excited, i haven’t had new music out in ages.''

She excitedly spills the beans about a new song on the horizon, saying: ''It’s one of my favourites that i’ve ever released. I just wanted to write something happy and feel-good and this is exactly that – getting ready to go out with the girls or in your car…That’s exactly what this song does.''

And there are plans afoot for Samantha to hit the road to coincide with the release:

''We are definitely going to plan a little tour around Australia and hopefully go to some other places, too'', she reveals, even hinting that she’ll be using her new dance skills on stage, ''I am stronger as a dancer'', she says, ''I think I’ll take on more of the choreography now for sure. I used to only jump in and do a few moves, and always go back into my comfort, my singing. But i think now i’m going to challenge myself and dance more than i used to.'' With future career plans already in motion, nothing is slowing down for Samantha Jade.

When asked what she’d like viewers to take away from her time on ''Dancing With The Stars Australia'', she responds,''I just hope they see that i’ve worked really hard and tried really hard and had a really good time.''

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11/07/24 - Samantha Jade being interviewed for ''The West Australian'' website

WA’s Samantha Jade starts 100-day countdown to ''Telethon'' as stars begin to align for 57th annual fundraiser

Returning for the 57th time, the event that puts the ''fun'' in ''fundraiser'' is set to welcome pop star Samantha Jade back to Perth as it counts down 100 days to showtime.

The first of many famous faces to be announced, the homegrown talent has moved her life to the East Coast since her last performance at ''Telethon'' in 2017:

“There’s truly no place like home”, she said, “I’m so excited to return to my hometown of Perth and to be involved this year in ''Telethon''. It’s one of my favourite times of the year.”

Embracing her travelling schedule yet always keeping Perth close, the 37-year-old admits there are treasures from her early career she can’t replicate from afar:

“I always miss my family of course and the beautiful beaches”, Jade revealed.

Performing via a Sydney studio in 2020 due to COVID-19, the ''New Boy'' hitmaker is excited to bring her new single ''Peachy'' out friday july 26th 2024 to the stage:

''Peachy'' is one of my absolute favourite songs that I have been a part of creating. It’s fun, feel-good and positive! Hopefully everyone will love having a good dance to it”, she said.

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First preview of Samantha Jade on Channel Seven's ''Dancing With The Stars Australia'' on ''The West Australian'' website