Jess wins our hearts
By FLORA LIVERIS
27nov06
TERRITORY songstress Jessica Mauboy was all smiles last night after coming runner-up in one of the closest Australian Idol contests in the program's history.

Speaking to the Northern Territory News after last night's grand finale at the Sydney Opera House, Jessica said she was looking forward to returning home to Darwin.


``It has been the best _ it has has been an absolute journey,'' the beaming 17-year-old said.


``It as been such a ride and I'm going to remember it forever.


``I want to go back to Darwin to see all of the fans and the people who have supported me.''


On a night of glitz and glamour, our Jess, of Wulagi, went down to expat Irish crooner Damien Leith in the Australian Idol final.


Despite the overwhelming support for Jess among Territorians _ as well as a strong following among people all around Australia _ Leith polled the most votes to take the coveted title.


But it was close.


Audience support at the Opera House was 50-50.


As Idol winner, Leith now has a recording contract with Sony BMG and his first single _ Night of My Life _ is available for digital download now and will be in stores tomorrow.


Leith's debut album will be released in the coming weeks.


Looking dazed but happy, Leith hugged Jessica as fans screamed and cheered at the announcement he had won.

Leith was also full of praise for Jessica.


``All I can say is first of all to Jessica, she is the most beautiful, the most fabulous singer I've ever come across,'' he said.


``I've been saying it all week, if I wasn't in the contest I would have been voting for her. I think she's absolutely amazing, and I really do mean that.''


Mauboy had a huge smile on her face as she congratulated her rival, saying: ``Good on you, Damien, good on you.''

But all is not lost for Jessica, as recording industry heavyweights are expected to take a keen interest in the diminutive 17-year-old with the big Mariah Carey-style voice.


Asked where she wanted to be in five years, Jessica confidently replied: ``Hopefully, making my second album.''


Jessica said she planned to spend Christmas in Darwin with her family _ and wanted to finish school.


But she said she had spoken to mum and dad of relocating to Sydney to pursue her music career and start writing songs.


``They said: `If this is the case we'll do what we have to do','' she said.


Normally critical judge Kyle Sandilands _ who famously labelled Jessica ``jelly belly'' _ was glowing in his praise last night. He said she had ``amazing potential'' and ``win or lose, she has got a big future''.


The warmest comments came from judge Mark Holden.

``She is a shining star, she truly is,'' he said from the red carpet.

``I call her the beautiful soul.''


Along with the thousands who turned up to support her at the Gardens Amphitheatre, Jessica had an army of supporters at the Opera House last night.


Her mother, Theresa, and father, Ferdy, were there, as were her four sisters _ Sandra, 26, Jenny, 23, Catharine 20, and 13-year-old Sophie.


Before the concert, a nervous Ferdy spoke to the Northern Territory News from the red carpet last night.

``I am very proud of her,'' he said.


Theresa thanked Territorians for all of their support throughout the 13 weeks of the televised finals.
J

essica's grandfather Zacheus and cousin Sehvan, from Darwin, were there, along with extended family from Canberra.