Singer Samantha Jade is out of her comfort zone on Dancing With The Stars, but knows Perth has her back
Samantha Jade is no stranger to reality television.
Her singing career was kick-started on X Factor in 2012, when Guy Sebastian saw promise in the pint-sized performer and mentored her to become the first woman to win the Australian series.
She showed another side of her personality in Celebrity Apprentice, in a feisty cohort of high-profile figures, including Underbelly actor Vince Colosimo, Real Housewives Of Melbourne star Gamble Breaux, musician Amy Shark and Married At First Sight personality Beck Zemek.
But when it came to getting the call up for Dancing With The Stars, her answer had long been a polite “no”.
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“I think it was out of fear of jumping into something that I haven’t done before, and something that’s different and challenging,” Jade tells STM.
But last year, the singer threw caution to the wind and finally said yes.
“I got asked again, and I (thought) ‘what is holding me back?’ I spoke to people that have done the show and everyone had the best things to say about it: ‘You have to do it. It’s one of the best experiences. You’ll learn so much. You’ll love it’,” she recalls.
“I thought, I’m going to throw myself in the deep end and just do it.”
Samantha Jade announced her debut on Seven's Dancing With The Stars. Credit: Instagram @samanthajade
The passing crisis of confidence that saw her hold off on the series is out of character for the Perth-born-and-raised star, a self-confessed “dreamer” who has believed in herself and her talent from day dot.
Jade has spent a lifetime performing, whether it was in the family home with her supportive parents, or on stage in front of thousands.
“(My parents) always told me I could be anything I want to be. They really stood by that and allowed space for me to dream,” she says.
“I would watch Video Hits and be like, ‘I want to make a music video one day. I want to be on TV. I want to sing and I want to write songs’. They never were like, ‘Oh what about school?’ (They said) you still have to do school, to focus and study and do all those things. But you can be whoever you want to be.’
“I remember singing at a young age and feeling like that was my relief. I always felt better afterwards. I remember saying that to my Mum. And she (would say) ‘that’s because it’s your purpose’.”
Samantha Jade as a young girl. Credit: Supplied/Supplied by Subject
Naturally when the time came for Jade to embark on her Dancing With The Stars journey, she assumed her extensive stage experience would translate into an understanding of the complex routines. However the technical side of dancing threw her for a loop (or more accurately, a triple pirouette).
“The technique, it’s so hard and different than any of the dancing that I do in my shows (where) I can always jump out when I want to,” she says.
“(In the DWST routines) I don’t have the comfort of my microphone or falling back on singing. I have to dance as hard as the dancers. And it’s also Latin and ballroom, (which) is a whole other world.”
But the concept of everything being laid bare on the dancefloor was a challenge Jade was willing to take on.
During rehearsals with professional dance partner Gustavo Viglio, the Sweet Talk singer found she preferred dancing ballroom to Latin and found mastering the cha-cha to be “one of the hardest things” she’s ever done.
If there’s one thing Jade is counting on, it’s that her hometown will get behind her when the television program airs — and vote in droves, just as they did during her X Factor stint.
Samantha Jade and dancing partner Gustavo Viglio in an episode of the new season of Dancing With The Stars. Credit: Stu Bryce
“We all really band together and appreciate our people. I really love that about (Perth) and not every city is like that,” she says.
This sentiment is exemplified at Channel Seven’s annual Telethon event, which has raised more than $600 million for sick children. It’s a cause close to Jade’s heart and a stage she has performed on numerous times.
“Telethon is my favourite gig,” she says. “I used to watch Telethon as a kid every year; that was the one night that my Mum would allow me to stay up as late as I can. I have so many fond memories of (both) watching it and being a part of it,” she says.
The singer refers to Perth as her “happy place”, returning as often as her schedule allows from her base on the east coast to see family and connect with her roots.
“(Perth) is always my comfort. If I’m going through a bit of a rough patch or I’m feeling low, I literally just book a ticket and I go home,” Jade says. “As soon as I see that ‘Welcome to Perth’ sign, it’s something that happens within my body, like this little (burst of) happiness. I love it.
“I had a great childhood in Perth; we lived in the ‘burbs near Morley and we would go to the Morley Galleria on Thursday night. Cottesloe beach was my Mum’s favourite beach (and) whenever I want to feel closer to her, I always go there and do a little beach walk. It’s one of my favourite places in the entire world, standing there and watching the sunset.”
Jade revealed that her chosen charity for Dancing With The Stars is the Cancer Council, to honour her mother, who died of the disease ten years ago.
“She was a dancer; it was one of her dreams for me to do this show,” Jade says. “I wear her ring every night when I perform so I can feel her with me.”
Among her many career highlights, Jade admits winning X Factor and representing Perth on a national stage reigns supreme.
Samantha Jade, X-Factor Grand Final. Credit: Tarsha Hosking/Supplied
A week before the music prodigy won the competition, producers filmed a series of home visits for the contestant, including a fan meet-and-greet. Jade fretted no one would come.
“I remember I was going there and I felt sick in my stomach. I thought ‘no one’s gonna show up’,” she recalls.
“That’s a huge fear for any (artist). I walked out (on stage) and I’ve never seen so many people. I just got so emotional and felt so supported by my city. That’s my people — they really supported me and I’m one of them.
“When I won, I didn’t just do it for me, but I did it for my hometown and I always felt like that was a really big moment.”
Another notable highlight was touring with ultra-popular boy band One Direction in 2015, as their support act at their On The Road Again Australian tour.
Albeit nerve-racking, Jade describes the opportunity as “one of the most crazy experiences of my life”.
“It was at the height of their fame, just before Zayn left the group. It was wild, I’ve never seen so many girls in hotel lobbies and at shows just everywhere. The hold they had was just unbelievable,” she says.
“It was really interesting to see how things are handled for artists that big. I’ll always remember they were so, so lovely. They all said thank you and made time to meet me, my dancers and my crew.”
The Soldier singer has retained a loyal fan base, with 230,000 monthly listeners on music streaming app Spotify alone.
She reveals new music is imminent, but the specifics are still under wraps.
“I truly feel that this (new) single is one of my favourites that I’ve written,” she says. “I’m really excited, it’s a feel-good song and it’s a happy (tune).”
In the meantime, Jade will get to see how audiences respond to her efforts on the dance floor, alongside other contestants including Perth football identity Ben Cousins, Better Homes And Gardens presenter Adam Dovile, SAS Australia’s Ant Middleton, designer Nadia Bartel and many more.
Dancing With The Stars starts on July 7 on Channel 7 and 7plus.