Young Divas

Last updated

Young Divas
Genres
Instrument(s)Vocals
Years active2006–2008
Labels Sony BMG
Past members Ricki-Lee Coulter (2006–2007)
Paulini (2006–2008)
Emily Williams (2006–2008)
Kate DeAraugo (2006–2008)
Jessica Mauboy (2007–2008)

Young Divas was an Australian pop girl group formed in 2006 by Sony BMG Australia, initially for a one-off single and national tour to promote all members as solo artists. The original line-up consisted of former Australian Idol contestants, including season one finalist Paulini, season two finalist Ricki-Lee Coulter, season three winner Kate DeAraugo and season three runner-up Emily Williams. Young Divas released a cover version of Donna Summer's "This Time I Know It's for Real" to attract attention for the tour. The song peaked at number two on the ARIA Singles Chart and was certified platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA).

Contents

Five months after the single's release, Young Divas released a second single in November 2006, a cover of Lonnie Gordon's "Happenin' All Over Again", which peaked at number nine and was certified gold. Their commercial success prompted the release of a self-titled debut album of classic disco and pop covers, establishing the Young Divas as an official group. The album debuted at number four on the ARIA Albums Chart and was certified double platinum for shipments of 140,000 units.

Coulter left the group in June 2007 to resume her solo career and was replaced by Idol season four runner-up Jessica Mauboy. The group's second and final album New Attitude (2007) debuted at number 10 and was certified gold. The album was preceded by a cover of Loverboy's "Turn Me Loose", which peaked at number 15 and was the group's final single. The Young Divas officially disbanded in 2008 with all members resuming their solo careers.

History

2006–07: Formation and Young Divas

Young Divas were formed in 2006 by Sony BMG Australia, initially for a 17-date national tour to promote all members as solo artists. [1] The group released a cover version of Donna Summer's 1989 single "This Time I Know It's for Real" in May 2006, to attract attention for the tour, where all members would perform their solo material and songs as a group. [1] [2] A music video was also shot to accompany the single's release. [3] In an interview with The Sydney Morning Herald , Coulter stated "We really want to get across that we're not a group. It's four big personalities and big voices getting on stage and showing what they can do. That was the idea behind the single – kind of showing off all of our vocals, together." [2] Young Divas' version of "This Time I Know It's for Real" peaked at number two on the ARIA Singles Chart and remained in the top-ten for 14 consecutive weeks. [4] It was certified platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) for shipments of 70,000 units. [5] Following its release, the group embarked on their Young Divas Live! Tour across Australia. [6] Originally planned for a two-week period, the tour proved to be a success that extra dates were added and ran for three months, causing Coulter to postpone her wedding. [7]

Five months after the single's release, Young Divas released a second single in November 2006, a cover of Lonnie Gordon's 1990 single "Happenin' All Over Again". The song peaked at number nine and was certified gold for shipments of 35,000 units. [4] [8] The group's commercial success prompted the release of a self-titled debut album of classic disco and pop covers, on 14 November 2006, establishing the Young Divas as an official group. [9] The album debuted at number four on the ARIA Albums Chart and was certified double platinum for shipments of 140,000 units. [4] [10] A cover of Hazell Dean's 1983 single "Searchin'" was released as the group's third single in March 2007, and peaked at number 40. [4]

2007–09: Line-up change, New Attitude and disbandment

In February 2007, it was announced that the Young Divas had pulled out of their scheduled national tour supporting Irish boy band Westlife. [11] The announcement of the cancellation came at a time when rumours began circulating that Coulter was set to leave the group, due to clashes with other members. [12] During this time, Coulter headed overseas to work on her next solo album, and was temporarily replaced by Williams' older sister and former Australian Idol contestant Lavina Williams. [11] The rumours were denied by the group's manager David Champion, who conceded that Coulter would return for the group's next national tour and for the recording of their second album. [13] He also stated that her solo commitments was one of the reasons the Young Divas pulled out of the tour, but also claimed that their growing popularity meant they were too successful to be a supporting act. [11] [14] However, on 22 June 2007, it was announced that Coulter had left the group to resume her solo career and to marry her fiancé Jamie Babbington. [15] She told Qconfidential, "I just couldn't do it all – I really had to get back to doing what I love doing, and that's my solo career. ... The girls have been great, they understand completely. They know where I'm coming from." [15]

During this time, rumours began to circulate that Lavina Williams, Casey Donovan or Jessica Mauboy would be Coulter's replacement in the Young Divas. [12] [16] [17] However, during an Australian Idol concert at Federation Square in Melbourne on 26 September 2007, it was revealed that Mauboy was chosen as the new member. [18] Her management saw the Young Divas as a perfect learning curve about all that was positive and negative in the music industry. [18] The group released their second studio album New Attitude on 26 November 2007, [19] which debuted at number 10 and was certified gold. [4] [10] A cover of Loverboy's 1980 single "Turn Me Loose", featuring New Zealand rapper Savage, was released the album's first single, and peaked at number 15. [4] [20] On 28 March 2008, Sony BMG announced in The Daily Telegraph that due to the poor sales of "Turn Me Loose", a second single would not be released from New Attitude. [21] They also stated that the Young Divas were not being dropped and would continue to record music. [21]

During a visit to Indonesia in June 2008, Mauboy told The Jakarta Post that she had begun working on her debut solo album, and that its first single would be released in August of that year, with the album launch planned for September. [22] Paulini's fan site also reported in July 2008 that Paulini was working on her next solo album with the production team at PLW Studios in Melbourne. [23] On 24 August 2008, a press release from Sony BMG confirmed that both Mauboy and Paulini had left the group to resume their solo careers. [24] Paulini's manager at the time stated that her decision to leave "is totally amicable with the other girls. She just wants to continue on with her solo career. There is no animosity, there is nothing negative." [24] The group's manager stated "the spirit of the Young Divas will live on in a new incarnation with a third album once the new line-up is finalised. Think of the Young Divas not so much as an act but a finishing school for future superstars." [24] However, a second line-up change never occurred, leaving Williams' and DeAraugo to resume their solo careers.

On 4 April 2009, Paulini, Williams and DeAraugo reunited to perform "This Time I Know It's for Real" at the Bendigo Says Thanks concert in Bendigo, Victoria. [25] [26] The concert was held to thank the workers and volunteers who helped those affected by the Black Saturday bushfires. [25]

In 2021, DeAraugo and Williams recorded a cover of Kelly Clarkson's "Underneath the Tree". Their version was produced by Max Kourilov and Bish Malik and released digitally as A Young Divas Production on 17 December 2021. [27] [28]

Discography

Tours

Awards and nominations

YearTypeRecipientAwardResult
2006 Nickelodeon Australian Kids' Choice Awards [29] [30] "This Time I Know It's for Real"Fave SongWon
Young DivasFave Australian GroupNominated

Related Research Articles

<i>Australian Idol</i> Australian singing competition TV series

Australian Idol is an Australian singing competition, which began its first season in July 2003 and ended its initial run in November 2009. As part of the Idol franchise, Australian Idol originated from the reality program Pop Idol, which was created by British entertainment executive Simon Fuller. Australian Idol was televised on Network Ten for its first seven series and was broadcast on the Southern Cross Austereo Radio Network between 2005 and 2007. The series returned in 2023 after Seven Network announced they would be picking up the show.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paulini</span> Fijian-Australian singer and songwriter (born 1982)

Pauline Curuenavuli, known professionally as Paulini, is a Fijian-Australian singer, songwriter and musical theatre actress. Born in Suva, Paulini moved to Sydney with her family at the age of four. She rose to fame in 2003 as a contestant on the first season of Australian Idol and placed fourth in the competition. After Idol, Paulini signed a recording contract with Sony BMG Australia and released her debut studio album One Determined Heart (2004), which debuted at number one on the ARIA Albums Chart and was certified platinum. The album included the platinum single "Angel Eyes", which spent three consecutive weeks at number one on the ARIA Singles Chart. Paulini received two ARIA No. 1 Chart Awards for both the album and single.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ricki-Lee Coulter</span> Australian singer, songwriter, television and radio presenter

Ricki-Lee Dawn Coulter, also known mononymously as Ricki-Lee, is an Australian singer, songwriter, and television and radio presenter. She was born in Auckland, New Zealand, grew up on the Gold Coast, Queensland, and began performing at age 15. Coulter rose to fame in 2004 on the second season of Australian Idol and placed seventh in the competition. She subsequently signed with Australian independent label Shock Records, and released her self-titled debut album Ricki-Lee (2005), which produced the top-ten hits "Hell No!" and "Sunshine". Both singles were certified gold by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). The following year, Coulter became a member of the Australian pop girl group Young Divas, before leaving in early 2007 to resume her solo career.

Audius Tonderai Mtawarira is a Zimbabwean singer-songwriter and record producer, who often works mononymously as Audius. From 1996 to 2012 he lived in Australia. At the APRA Music Awards of 2009 he was co-winner of Urban Work of the Year for writing "Running Back" with its singer, Jessica Mauboy, and with American rapper, Sean Ray Mullins.

Katherine Jenna DeAraugo is an Australian singer-songwriter who in 2005 was the third winner of Australian Idol. After Idol, DeAraugo signed to Sony BMG and released her debut single, "Maybe Tonight", in November 2005. The single debuted at Number 1 on the ARIA Charts and was certified platinum. Her debut album, A Place I've Never Been, was released in December 2005 and was also certified platinum. DeAraugo later became a member of the multi-platinum-selling girl group Young Divas, which disbanded in 2008.

Emily Williams is a New Zealand-born Australian singer and songwriter. She rose to fame in 2005 on the third season of Australian Idol and became the runner-up of the competition. After Idol, Williams signed with Sony BMG Australia and enjoyed commercial success as a member of the Australian girl group Young Divas. The group released two top-ten albums, Young Divas (2006) and New Attitude (2007), and achieved three top-fifteen singles, including the hugely successful "This Time I Know It's for Real". After the Young Divas disbanded in 2008 and Williams' contract with Sony BMG ended, she began releasing her solo music independently. Williams' debut solo single "Spellbound" was released in 2010, followed by the release of her debut solo album Uncovered in 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jessica Mauboy</span> Australian singer, songwriter and actress (born 1989)

Jessica Hilda Mauboy is an Australian singer, songwriter and actress. Born and raised in Darwin, Northern Territory, she rose to fame in 2006 on the fourth season of Australian Idol, where she was runner-up and subsequently signed a recording contract with Sony Music Australia. After releasing a live album of her Idol performances and briefly being a member of the girl group Young Divas in 2007, Mauboy released her debut studio album, Been Waiting, the following year. It included her first number-one single, "Burn", and became the second highest-selling Australian album of 2009, certified double platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA).

Australian Idol was a televised talent contest, screened on Channel Ten for seven seasons between 2003 and 2009. Several contestants were signed to record labels, while others released their music independently. Since 2003 Australian Idol acts have placed well on the Australian music charts, with 35 number ones and 158 platinum and 41 gold certifications. Eight Idol releases appeared in the 2000 – 2009 ARIA End of Decade Charts, and 24 releases have been nominated for Highest Selling ARIA Music Awards. Idol contestants have also been nominated for 33 ARIA Awards in public vote categories, where the nominees are most commonly selected from the highest selling acts of the year. There have also been 48 industry judged ARIA Award nominations. To date there have been 11 wins in sales and public vote categories, and in 2013 season one winner Guy Sebastian and season four runner up Jessica Mauboy became the first Idol contestants to win industry voted ARIA Awards.

<i>Young Divas</i> (album) 2006 studio album by Young Divas

Young Divas is the debut studio album by Australian girl group Young Divas, released on 14 November 2006 by Sony BMG. The group was initially formed for a one-off single and national tour to promote all members as solo artists. However, following the success of their debut single "This Time I Know It's for Real" and the tour, Sony BMG decided that the Young Divas would record a full-length album of classic disco and pop covers. The album debuted at number four on the ARIA Albums Chart and was certified double platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), for shipments of 140,000 copies.

<i>Ricki-Lee</i> (album) 2005 studio album by Ricki-Lee Coulter

Ricki-Lee is the debut studio album by Australian recording artist Ricki-Lee Coulter, released through Shock Records on 3 October 2005. Coulter recorded the album in Melbourne and worked with several songwriters and producers, including Audius Mtawarira, Israel Cruz, Jarrad Rogers, Hayley Aitken and Kara DioGuardi, among others. The album reached number 30 on the ARIA Albums Chart and number six on the ARIA Urban Albums Chart. Ricki-Lee was preceded by the lead single "Hell No!" in June 2005, which peaked at number five on the ARIA Singles Chart and was certified gold by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). The second single "Sunshine" was released in September 2005, which peaked at number eight and was also certified gold. "Breathe" was released as the album's third and final single in January 2006, which reached number 14.

<i>Brand New Day</i> (Ricki-Lee Coulter album) 2007 studio album by Ricki-Lee Coulter

Brand New Day is the second studio album by Australian singer and songwriter Ricki-Lee Coulter. It was released in Australia on 11 August 2007 and in Japan on 9 January 2008. Brand New Day debuted and peaked at number 37 on the ARIA Albums Chart and was certified gold by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). The album produced Coulter's most successful single to date, the lead single "Can't Touch It", which peaked at number two on the ARIA Singles Chart and was certified platinum. Its subsequent singles "Love Is All Around" and "Can't Sing a Different Song" were also ARIA top-ten hits.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Can't Touch It</span> Single by Ricki-Lee Coulter

"Can't Touch It" is a song by Australian singer and songwriter Ricki-Lee Coulter. It was written by Coulter with Brian Kierulf and Joshua M. Schwartz of KNS Productions, who also produced the song. "Can't Touch It" was released as the lead single from Coulter's second studio album, Brand New Day, on 4 August 2007. Upon its release, "Can't Touch It" peaked at number two on the ARIA Singles Chart and number one on the ARIA Dance Singles Chart, where it remained for eight consecutive weeks. It was certified platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association for shipments of 70,000 copies.

<i>New Attitude</i> (album) 2007 studio album by Young Divas

New Attitude is the second and final studio album by Australian girl group Young Divas, released on 24 November 2007 by Sony BMG. It is the first album to feature vocals by Jessica Mauboy, who replaced Ricki-Lee Coulter after she left the group to resume her solo career. Much like their debut album, New Attitude features more covers. The album debuted at number 10 on the ARIA Albums Chart and was certified gold by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), for shipments of 35,000 copies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Running Back (Jessica Mauboy song)</span> 2008 single by Jessica Mauboy

"Running Back" is the debut single of Australian R&B recording artist Jessica Mauboy, featuring American rapper Flo Rida. The track was written by Mauboy, Audius Mtawarira, and Sean Ray Mullins, and was produced by Audius. "Running Back" was released for digital download on 19 September 2008 as the lead single from Mauboy's debut studio album, Been Waiting. Mauboy felt "so excited and honoured" to work with Flo Rida, calling it a dream come true.

<i>Been Waiting</i> 2008 studio album by Jessica Mauboy

Been Waiting is the debut studio album by Australian recording artist Jessica Mauboy, released on 22 November 2008 by Sony Music Australia. While Mauboy was still a member of the girl group Young Divas, she began to work on what became Been Waiting. She co-wrote several of the album's songs and worked with many songwriters and producers, including Israel Cruz, Cutfather, Audius Mtawarira, Michael "Fingaz" Mugisha, Kwame Holland, Jonas Jeberg and Adam Reily, among others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ricki-Lee Coulter discography</span> Australian Singer

Australian singer and songwriter Ricki-Lee Coulter has released four studio albums, one compilation album, twenty two singles, and twenty music videos. Coulter placed seventh in the second season of Australian Idol in 2004, and subsequently signed with independent label Shock Records. Coulter's self-titled debut album Ricki-Lee was released in October 2005, which debuted at number 30 on the ARIA Albums Chart. The album produced two top-ten singles, "Hell No!" and "Sunshine", which were both certified gold by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Coulter briefly became a member of the Australian pop girl group Young Divas the following year, before resuming her solo career early in 2007.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paulini discography</span>

Fijian-born Australian singer and songwriter Paulini has released four studio albums, one extended play, nineteen singles, and twelve music videos. Paulini placed fourth on the first season of Australian Idol in 2003, and subsequently signed a recording contract with Sony BMG Australia. Her debut studio album, One Determined Heart (2004), debuted at number one on the ARIA Albums Chart, where it remained for two consecutive weeks, and was certified platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) for shipments of 70,000 copies. Its lead single "Angel Eyes" remained at number one on the ARIA Singles Chart for three consecutive weeks and was also certified platinum, while the second single "We Can Try" peaked at number 30. Paulini followed with the release of her debut EP, Amazing Grace: Songs for Christmas (2004), which peaked at number 70.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jessica Mauboy discography</span>

Australian singer and songwriter Jessica Mauboy has released four studio albums, one live album, three soundtrack albums, one extended play, and thirty nice singles. Mauboy was the runner-up on the fourth season of Australian Idol in 2006, and subsequently signed a contract with Sony Music Australia. She released her debut live album The Journey in February 2007, which features songs she performed as part of the top twelve on Australian Idol. The album debuted at number four on the ARIA Albums Chart and was certified gold by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), denoting shipments of 35,000 copies. Mauboy briefly became a member of the Australian pop girl group Young Divas later that year, before resuming her solo career early in 2008.

The discography of Young Divas, an Australian pop girl group, consists of two studio albums, one compilation album, four singles, two album appearances and four music videos. The group was formed in 2006 by Sony BMG Australia which included previous Australian Idol contestants Ricki-Lee Coulter, Paulini, Kate DeAraugo and Emily Williams. Young Divas released their self-titled debut album in November 2006, which debuted at number four on the ARIA Albums Chart and was certified double platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), for shipments of 140,000 copies. A cover of Donna Summer's "This Time I Know It's for Real" was released as the album's lead single and peaked at number two on the ARIA Singles Chart. The song was certified platinum by the ARIA, for shipments of 70,000 copies. The second single was a cover of Lonnie Gordon's "Happenin' All Over Again", which peaked at number nine and was certified gold for shipments of 35,000 copies. A cover of Hazell Dean's "Searchin'" was released as the third and final single from the album, and peaked at number 40.

<i>Fear & Freedom</i> 2012 studio album by Ricki-Lee Coulter

Fear & Freedom is the third studio album by Australian recording artist Ricki-Lee Coulter, released through EMI Music Australia on 17 August 2012. The album is Coulter's first release since parting ways with her former record label Shock Records. Coulter had been working on her third album since 2009, under the title Hear No, See No, Speak No, and was originally due for release in November 2009. However, Coulter cancelled the album's release due to unsuccessful singles. After taking a break from her music career in 2010, Coulter began working on new material for the album in 2011. Unlike her previous albums, Fear & Freedom incorporates up-tempo pop genres, ranging from dance-pop, electropop, drum and bass and trance. Love and self-empowerment are its main themes.

References

  1. 1 2 Sams, Christine (7 May 2006). "Divas know it's for real this time". The Sydney Morning Herald . Retrieved 3 June 2011.
  2. 1 2 "Girls get their acts together". The Sydney Morning Herald. 7 May 2006. Retrieved 3 June 2011.
  3. ↑ "Young Divas Know It's For Real! Single Goes Gold; New Video Airs This Weekend". Sony BMG Australia. Archived from the original on 5 September 2007. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Discography Young Divas". Australian-charts.com. Retrieved 3 June 2011.
  5. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2006 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Retrieved 3 June 2011.
  6. 1 2 "Young Divas – Tour Diary". Take40 Australia . Retrieved 3 June 2011.
  7. ↑ "Ricki-Lee – Biography". AllMusic . Retrieved 3 June 2011.
  8. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2007 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Retrieved 3 June 2011.
  9. ↑ "Young Divas (Album) by Young Divas". iTunes Store Australia. 14 November 2006. Retrieved 3 June 2011.
  10. 1 2 "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2007 Albums". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Retrieved 3 June 2011.
  11. 1 2 3 "Divas pull out of gig". News.com.au. 11 February 2007. Retrieved 3 June 2011.
  12. 1 2 "Ricki-Lee quits Young Divas". The Daily Telegraph . 25 June 2007. Retrieved 3 June 2011.
  13. ↑ "Are Divas hitting sour note". News.com.au. 12 February 2007. Archived from the original on 3 December 2012. Retrieved 3 June 2011.
  14. ↑ Murdoch, Alex (14 February 2007). "Nail guns target Brissie". The Courier-Mail . Retrieved 3 June 2011.
  15. 1 2 "Ricki-Lee goes solo". News.com.au. 22 June 2011. Archived from the original on 14 April 2011. Retrieved 3 June 2011.
  16. ↑ "Diva Antics: Ricki Lee Quits!". The Hot Hits . 25 June 2007. Retrieved 3 June 2011.
  17. ↑ "Jessica Mauboy outsings competition". Perth Now. 26 September 2007. Retrieved 3 June 2011.
  18. 1 2 "Jessica Mauboy is the new Young Diva". Herald Sun. 27 September 2007. Retrieved 3 June 2011.
  19. ↑ "New Attitude by Young Divas". iTunes Store Australia. 24 November 2007. Retrieved 3 June 2011.
  20. ↑ "Turn Me Loose – Single". iTunes Store Australia. Retrieved 3 June 2011.
  21. 1 2 "Divas left in label limbo". The Daily Telegraph . 28 March 2008. Retrieved 3 June 2011.
  22. ↑ Whitfield, Deanne (28 June 2008). "Jessica Mauboy: 'Idol' cultural ambassador". The Jakarta Post. Retrieved 3 June 2011.
  23. ↑ "Young Divas latest movements". Auspop. 10 July 2008. Retrieved 3 June 2011.
  24. 1 2 3 "Paulini Curuenavuli quits Young Divas, Emily Williams, Kate DeAraugo left". Perth Now. 24 August 2008. Retrieved 3 June 2011.
  25. 1 2 "Bendigo Sings Thanks". Bendigo Advertiser . 28 March 2009. Archived from the original on 1 April 2009. Retrieved 27 September 2012.
  26. ↑ "Young Divas – This Time I Know It's for Real at Bendigo Says Thanks Concert". NME . Retrieved 27 September 2012.
  27. ↑ "Underneath the Tree - Single by Young Divas, Emily & Kate". Apple Music. 17 December 2021. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
  28. ↑ "Underneath the Tree - Song by Young Divas". Spotify. 17 December 2021. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
  29. ↑ "Young Divas Score Fave Song of the Year; Debut Album + New Single Coming". Sony BMG Australia. 12 October 2006. Archived from the original on 5 September 2007. Retrieved 5 August 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  30. ↑ DeMott, Rick (16 October 2006). "Simpsons Are Top Toon at Nick's Australian Kids' Choice Awards". Animation World Network. Retrieved 5 August 2017.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.