Young Divas

Young Divas
Origin Sydney, Australia
Genres Dance, disco, pop
Instruments Vocals
Years active 2006–2008, 2009
Labels Sony BMG
Past members Paulini (2006–2008, 2009)
Emily Williams (2006–2008, 2009)
Kate DeAraugo (2006–2008, 2009)
Ricki-Lee Coulter (2006–2007)
Jessica Mauboy (2007–2008)

Young Divas was an Australian pop girl group, which 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 contestant Ricki-Lee Coulter, season three winner Kate DeAraugo and runner-up Emily Williams.

Young Divas released a cover of "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). A cover of "Happenin' All Over Again" was later released as their second single, which peaked at number nine and was certified gold. Due to their commercial success, Sony BMG decided that the Young Divas would record a full-length album of classic disco and pop covers titled, Young Divas, in November 2006. The album debuted at number four on the ARIA Albums Chart and was certified double platinum.

In June 2007, Coulter parted ways with the group to resume her solo music career and was replaced by season four runner-up Jessica Mauboy. Young Divas released their second album New Attitude in November 2007, which debuted at number 10 on the ARIA Albums Chart and was certified gold. The album's lead single "Turn Me Loose" (featuring rapper Savage) reached number 15 on the ARIA Singles Chart. In 2008, Young Divas officially disbanded with all members resuming their solo music careers.

History

2006–2007: Formation and Young Divas

Young Divas were formed in 2006 by Sony BMG Australia, for a 17-date national tour to promote all members as solo artists.[1] The group released a cover version of Donna Summer's single "This Time I Know It's for Real" on 7 May 2006, to attract attention for the tour, where all members would perform their solo material and songs as a group.[1][2] The single peaked at number two on the ARIA Singles Chart and was certified platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), for sales of 70,000 copies.[3][4] Following its release, the group embarked on their Young Divas Live! tour across Australia.[5] 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.[6]

A cover of Lonnie Gordon's "Happenin' All Over Again" was released as the group's second single. The song peaked at number nine on the ARIA Singles Chart and was certified gold, for sales of 35,000 copies.[3][7] After a strong reception of the single, Sony BMG decided that the Young Divas would record a full-length album of classic disco and pop covers, titled Young Divas on 14 November 2006.[8] The album debuted at number four on the ARIA Albums Chart and was certified double platinum, for sales of 140,000 copies.[3][9] A cover of Hazell Dean's single "Searchin'" was released as the album's third and final single on 17 March 2007. It peaked at number 40 on the ARIA Singles Chart.[3]

2007–2009: 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.[10] 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.[11] 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.[10] 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.[12] 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.[10][13]

However, on 22 June 2007, it was announced that Coulter had left the group to resume her solo music career and to marry her fiance Jamie Babbington.[14] 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."[14] During this time, rumours began to circulate that Lavina Williams, Casey Donovan or Jessica Mauboy, would be Coulter's replacement.[11][15][16] However, during an Australian Idol concert at Federation Square in Melbourne on 26 September 2007, it was revealed that Mauboy was the new member.[17] Her management saw the Young Divas as a perfect learning curve about all that was positive and negative in the music industry.[17]

The group released their second studio album New Attitude on 26 November 2007.[18] The album debuted at number 10 on the ARIA Albums Chart and was certified gold.[3][9] A cover of Loverboy's "Turn Me Loose", featuring New Zealand rapper Savage, was released the album's first single on 3 November 2007.[19] The song peaked at number 15 on the ARIA Singles Chart.[3] On 28 March 2008, Sony BMG announced in The Daily Telegraph that due to poor sales of "Turn Me Loose", a second single would not be released from New Attitude.[20] They also stated that the Young Divas were not being dropped and would continue to record music.[20]

However, during a visit to Indonesia in June 2008, Mauboy told The Jakarta Post that she was currently working on her debut solo album, and that its first single would be released in August, with the album launch planned for September.[21] 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.[22] On 24 August 2008, a press release from Sony BMG confirmed that Mauboy and Paulini had left the group to resume their solo music careers.[23] Paulini's manager Nicole Hart 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."[23] 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."[23] 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.[24][25] The concert was held to thank the workers and volunteers who helped those affected by the Black Saturday bushfires.[24]

Discography

Awards and nominations

Year Award ceremony Award Result
2006 Nickelodeon Australian Kids' Choice Awards Fave Song ("This Time I Know It's For Real") Won
Fave Australian Group Nominated

References

  1. 1 2 Sams, Christine (7 May 2006). "Divas know it's for real this time". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney: Fairfax Digital. Retrieved 3 June 2011.
  2. ↑ "Girls get their acts together". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney: Fairfax Digital. 7 May 2006. Retrieved 3 June 2011.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Discography Young Divas". Australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 3 June 2011.
  4. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2006 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 3 June 2011.
  5. ↑ "Young Divas – Tour Diary". Take40 Australia. MCM Entertainment. Retrieved 3 June 2011.
  6. ↑ "Ricki-Lee – Biography". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 3 June 2011.
  7. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2007 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 3 June 2011.
  8. ↑ "Young Divas (Album)". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. Retrieved 3 June 2011.
  9. 1 2 "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2007 Albums". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 3 June 2011.
  10. 1 2 3 "Divas pull out of gig". News.com.au. 11 February 2007. Retrieved 3 June 2011.
  11. 1 2 "Ricki-Lee quits Young Divas". The Daily Telegraph. Sydney: News Limited. 25 June 2007. Retrieved 3 June 2011.
  12. ↑ From Sydney Confidential (12 February 2007). "Are Divas hitting sour note". News.com.au. Retrieved 3 June 2011.
  13. ↑ Murdoch, Alex (14 February 2007). "Nail guns target Brissie". The Courier-Mail. Sydney: News Limited. Retrieved 3 June 2011.
  14. 1 2 "Ricki-Lee goes solo". News.com.au. 22 June 2011. Retrieved 3 June 2011.
  15. ↑ "Diva Antics: Ricki Lee Quits!". The Hot Hits Live from LA. MCM Entertainment. 25 June 2007. Retrieved 3 June 2011.
  16. ↑ "Jessica Mauboy outsings competition". Perth Now. Perth. 26 September 2007. Retrieved 3 June 2011.
  17. 1 2 "Jessica Mauboy is the new Young Diva". Herald Sun. Sydney, Australia: Herald and Weekly Times. 27 September 2007. Retrieved 3 June 2011.
  18. ↑ "New Attitude – Album". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. Retrieved 3 June 2011.
  19. ↑ "Turn Me Loose – Single". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. Retrieved 3 June 2011.
  20. 1 2 "Divas left in label limbo". The Daily Telegraph. Sydney: News Limited. 28 March 2008. Retrieved 3 June 2011.
  21. ↑ Whitfield, Deanne (28 June 2008). "Jessica Mauboy: 'Idol' cultural ambassador". The Jakarta Post. Jakarta: PT Bina Media Tenggara. Retrieved 3 June 2011.
  22. ↑ "Young Divas latest movements". Auspop.net. 10 July 2008. Retrieved 3 June 2011.
  23. 1 2 3 "Paulini Curuenavuli quits Young Divas, Emily Williams, Kate DeAraugo left". Perth Now. Perth, Australia. 24 August 2008. Retrieved 3 June 2011.
  24. 1 2 "Bendigo Sings Thanks". Bendigo Advertiser. Rural Press Limited. 28 March 2009. Archived from the original on 1 April 2009. Retrieved 27 September 2012.
  25. ↑ "Young Divas – This Time I Know It's for Real at Bendigo Says Thanks Concert". NME. Retrieved 27 September 2012.
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