Jess still riding Idol wave high
By FLORA LIVERIS

28nov06
JESSICA Mauboy was relaxed but chatty yesterday and holding up well, considering it was the day after the biggest night of her life.

The Wulagi girl was casual, sporting her comfortable thongs, as opposed to high heels, which she said she would be happy not to wear for a while.


``I'm back to the thongs _ hell yeah, I'm a sun girl again,'' she said.


Jessica, 17, said she felt pretty good after coming runner-up to Irish ex-pat Damien Leith, in what was the biggest Idol competition to date.

``It was just the best moment to be there with Damo and share the moment with him,'' she said.


``Thinking back, we did a lot to get there and we really pushed ourselves to the limit. Damo deserved it and I really believe that.
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`I feel like I've achieved a lot, being 17 and a little bush girl from Darwin. This was a dream for me _ an absolute big dream.


``Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would make it this far.''


Although Jessica did not win Idol, she still has a big future in the Australian music scene and, at the post-program party on Sunday, Sony BMG boss Denis Handlin approached her.


``He said he wanted to have a serious talk with me and my parents,'' she said.

``There might be a contract happening.''

First Australian Idol winner Guy Sebastian said he had also written a song for Jessica and expressed an interest in working with her.


``I can't wait _ I am so excited,'' Jessica said.


``So I am going to give him a call.''


Guy said: ``I've been writing for Jess and have a song with Jess in mind. It's up to her if she likes it.''


But for now, the Sanderson High School student said she hoped to return to Darwin shortly and put on a performance for all of her fans.


``It would be really cool to give that back to them,'' she said.


``I want to thank Clare Martin for organising the grand finale party and inviting everybody, and also the people in the Northern Territory, who have been supporting me all of the way.


``I want to go home and see everyone, especially my family.


``We are going to have a big feast.''


Jessica has spoken to her parents, Ferdy and Theresa, about moving to Sydney to pursue her music career.


``It's scary, especially living in Darwin all of my life, and even coming here for four months, seriously, was way too long.


``I have never been away from home for that long.

"It's going to be tough if I move down south, but I've spoken to Mum and Dad, who have supported me all of the way, and they said if that's the case, we will do whatever we have to do.


``But I am still a Territory girl _ and Territory proud.''