Almost two decades have passed since Delta Goodrem released “Born To Try” – the song that would catapult her to stardom. It was 2003, and she’d already found fame on Neighbours, where she starred as shy schoolgirl Nina Tucker.
But in the years that followed, she became a household name, topping the charts, landing roles in various productions and ultimately becoming a coach on The Voice Australia.
It’s one particular event, however, that sticks out for Delta and will forever serve as the moment she realised she’d finally achieved her dream.
“I’ll never forget it,” Delta, 34, tells TV WEEK. “‘Born To Try’ had just taken off and I had to do a signing at the Highpoint Shopping Centre in Melbourne. When I got there, I said, ‘Did anybody turn up?’
“The doors opened and I remember walking out and people were screaming. They ended up having to shut down the shopping centre because it was so full.
“I was 17 years old and was like, ‘Wow – this is it.’ All of a sudden, I understood that it was real. I stayed there for every single person until they kicked me out.”
Delta’s acting gig on Neighbours launched her successful music career.
The hysteria surrounding the teen sensation grew from that day.
In 2005, her “Visualise” national stadium tour was one of the biggest by an Australian artist, outselling US act Destiny’s Child and rockers Green Day.
But for Delta, her career has never been about money or fame.
“I’ve always been in love with music and people, and want to share my heart through songwriting,” she says. “I never had a cast of glamour over what I thought this was. I believed in magic and making songs that people could escape into.”
Delta and her The Voice co-star Kelly Rowland.
Now, as a coach in her seventh season of The Voice Australia, Delta recognises the industry has changed dramatically since she first started out. And, for her, it’s obvious when an artist is on the stage for the wrong reasons.
“When the four of us [coaches Delta, Kelly Rowland, Guy Sebastian and Boy George] got into this industry, fame wasn’t even as much of a conversation,” she explains. “It wasn’t part of the drive or the ambition – the ambition was to have hit songs, and to connect to people and heal the world through music.
“But there are these young artists who come on [the show] wanting to be famous. They normally don’t end up on my team.”
With Delta’s career spanning 17 years, many of her fans have grown up alongside the singer. She feels she’s grown up with them too, and while she admits she’s “definitely changed” since 2002, her values have remained the same.
“I feel I was the same back then as I am now,” she says. “My moral compass was set very young; I had a clear calling in music and people. I definitely haven’t diverted from that.
“Have I grown? Hopefully, yes. I’ve changed in many ways and gone through different chapters. But my core has stayed the same.”
Delta says it’s “obvious” to the coaches when a contestant is on the show for fame.
Delta is looking forward to her next chapter. In terms of new music, she says she’ll release material when “the time is right”.
“My last record was such a special time in my life and I’m really looking forward to the next one now,” she says.
As for television, Delta’s acting credentials include Hey Dad!, A Country Practice, Police Rescue, House Husbands and Olivia Newton-John: Hopelessly Devoted To You.
The latter biopic has been nominated in the Most Outstanding Miniseries Or Telemovie category at the 2019 TV WEEK Logie Awards. In the wake of its warm reception, Delta hints at further projects.
“Olivia was really embraced in the US, so it’s been incredible to see that connection there,” she says. “I’m looking forward to new acting parts this next year.”
The Voice Australia airs Monday and Tuesday, 7.30pm, and Sunday, 7pm,on Nine Network.
