THE Territory's golden girl is back! Jessica Mauboy has burst back into the charts with an edgy track, defined look and control of her musical direction.
For a 19-year-old, Mauboy shows she is now in control and has set tongues wagging about her new song Running Back.
Dressed in a flowing colourful sun dress with simple golden jewellery, Mauboy has grown into herself and her celebrity status - but it's her bubbly smile and infectious laugh which have become her trademark.
The Wulagi songbird has come a long way from Australian Idol runner-up in 2006.
With an album on the way and discussions to star in a film, the future looks bright for this former Sanderson High School student.
Mauboy first made her name belting out hits like I Wanna Dance With Somebody by Whitney Houston, and then later as a member of the Young Divas.
She told the Northern Territory News she has had a tough time finding herself musically.
"There was a bit of a wait - two years - and it was kind of a difficult time," she said. "Coming out of Idol, I just really wanted to keep going, but management were figuring out what to do, seeing what direction they wanted to go. I think it has been worth the wait."
Mauboy said being a member of the Young Divas was an experience.
"But we have split up," she said. "We just wanted to do something different. Breaking up hurt, you just have to be really strong.
"At this point I feel in control and I can do what I feel that I want to, the label has given me that."
The exploits of Hollywood starlets Lindsay Lohan, Britney Spears and Paris Hilton are never far for celebrity gossipers, but that fame-induced hysteria has not affected Mauboy. She puts it down to her tight-knit family.
"My parents taught us what they learnt in life - to be strong and get through," she said. "I adore them for giving up things for us.
"I think my perspective is because of the environment and freedom I grew up with."
Mauboy said a particular strength of hers was her four sisters, Sandra, 28, Jenny, 24, Cathy, 22, and Sophie, 15.
"My sisters are 100 per cent behind me," she said.
"Darwin is the bomb, I love coming back and seeing all my old besties. Darwin is definitely home. I didn't really want to leave, but it is only for a couple of months that I will be based in Sydney."
Mauboy said she feels like she has created something special with her new single and album to follow.
"I'm not feeling like I had to lie or obey anything," she said.
"I am really excited to see it in stores, finally sitting there.
"I have written eight tracks, there will be 12 or 13 on the album - which covers friendship, family issues, everyday life, and boyfriend/girlfriend relationships."
Fans of the new song agree Mauboy has created something special. The clip received almost 65,000 hits within a week after being loaded on YouTube on September 24. Fonze80 said: "Good work Jessica! Finally something excellent to come of Australian Idoland Darwin!"
Rustymick said: "This song is from the heart, wait until the album. Jess you rock, from all in Darwin."
Janieplow said: "What separates this song? Its honesty and its obvious passion. She wrote it. She's a very talented girl with a great voice and can express herself articulately in this genre. She's much more than just a conduit for a record company she's 'the real deal'. The clip looks great too. It's refreshing to see this kind of representation of Jessica, it'svery clever."
Running Back will be launched on October 11. Her debut album Been Waiting will be launched in November, a tour is planned for the New Year.
