RICKI-LEE Coulter is taking time out from the Young Divas to pursue solo endeavours. She has pulled out of the girls' upcoming performances at the D & D balls nationally, and will instead head overseas to work on a solo album.

However, she will rejoin Paulini Curuenavuli, Emily Williams and Kate DeAraugo for their July national tour.

Unlike her fellow Divas, Ricki-Lee is not signed by Sony BMG- she is with Shock Records and is contracted to produce a solo album by the end of the year.

To do this, she will be working with songwriters in the U.S. and Britain including Corey Rooney, who is J.Lo's main collaborator, and Peter Biker, who has worked with Kylie Minogue.

The Divas will not be a three-girl outfit in Ricki-Lee's absence- it's rumoured she will be replaced by Emily's sister and fellow Australian Idol contestant Lavina Williams.

Caplice Management, which looks after the Divas, has confirmed Ricki's withdrawal.

"It's an unfortunate scheduling clash," David Champion says.

However, he declines to comment on her replacement, saying only that it will be "someone equally as famous".

He says Ricki will be back with the Divas "as soon as she returns from her overseas writing trip".

It's going to be a busy year for Ricki-Lee- she's getting married in September.

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thanks to Dino from CU

Good on her.

There has been much gossip about who will take her place.

My bets are on Lavinia or Jess.

Who knows, but it will have to be somebody with a big powerfull voice to be able to mix with the others as they are all so powerfull.