Danielle Stearman

For Melbourne singer Danielle Stearman, it has been a case of being third time lucky. Danielle shot to fame on the third series of "Popstars", but narrowly missed out on the coveted prize of being the first solo popstar to emerge from the successful TV show. Fellow finalist Scott Cain became the series winner but Danielle has since been given the chance to also live out her pop dreams with her first single release "Tell Me If You Like It".

In this telling interview, Danielle reveals to us the pain of losing a loved one; discusses her single release and reflects on life after Popstars.

GIRL: You narrowly missed out on being the winner of the third Popstars series but are fulfilling your music dreams anyway. Do you think things worked out the way they did for a reason?

Danielle: I was so lucky I didn't win I think because I got time to go home and ask myself 'do I really want to do this?' I had the opportunity to come home and take it all in and decide if I was willing to put in 110 per cent to make it work. Well now I'm actually doing it, so everything has worked out great.

GIRL: So spill the beans, how did you land a record deal?

Danielle: Well after it was announced that Scott [Cain] was the winner I was approached pretty much straight away by Warner and they said "we love the track and we'll be in touch". And I think had it gone either way, they would have released both anyway because the tracks came up really good. After I went home, the negotiations started right away and it happened pretty quickly. The contract was issued on the Thursday and I signed it on the Friday afternoon.

GIRL: Are there plans for an album or further releases?

Danielle: It is just a single deal at this stage, they want to see how the first one goes, but it's backed by a five-album deal. So fingers crossed that it goes well.

GIRL: What was the whole Popstars experience like for you?

Danielle: Fantastic, I had the time of my life! I walked away with so many experiences that I'd never had and with such an insight into the whole industry, in every aspect. The six people I lived with were just amazing too.

GIRL: "Tell Me If You Like It" is your debut release. What did you think of the song when you first heard it?

Danielle: I loved it! And when I found out that the boys from Kaylan had written it, I was like "yay" because I am big fan of their work.

GIRL: Kaylan also sing backing vocals on the track. What was it like to work with them?

Danielle: Those two boys are amazing, I couldn't speak highly enough of two people. They're so professional in what they do and they've got a really laid back attitude. They ooze talent; I was just sitting there in awe of how talented they both are. And it was great that one of them was doing backing on my track, I can say I've got them on my CD forever now! (laughs)

GIRL: We read in your bio that you have "a plan for this career", what is that plan exactly?

Danielle: I haven't got a plan like 'ok, I want to be here in a year', it's more got to do with having longevity in a career. I want stability and I want to be able to say no to things, I don't want to do everything for the sake of doing it. Some people get into this industry and they just over-expose themselves and get caught up in the whole media hype. I want to step back from that a little and don't want to do the whole "industry thing" where you are at the opening of an envelope. Basically it's about being selective in what you do.

GIRL: On the Popstars show, it was revealed that your dad passed away a few years ago. What do you think he'd be saying now about your musical debut?

Danielle: It was funny because when I got back home and had signed the deal, my mum asked me the same question and I said, he'd probably drag me out of the house and we'd be looking at new cars! (smiles) He was always the hyperactive one; everything was a major issue! He'd be very proud I think.

GIRL: When your dad passed away, you made a vow that "you would never sing again". But obviously, your desire to sing was stronger. Do you think that there could ever be another occurrence that would bring you to vow something like this again?

Danielle: There was…six months after my dad passed away, my best friend also passed away. And he was in the music industry, signed to a record label; about to release an album and I just watched it all fall apart after that. And I was devastated and I swore I'd never get myself into this industry. It just got really catty and it was horrible to watch a family destroyed by the music industry just because there was a lack of support in that situation. But on the other hand, my friend Aaron also showed me that music is my passion and that I'm the happiest when I'm singing and people are happy when I sing. My dad was always happy when I sang. So I went back to singing and auditioned for the Popstars series by accident.

GIRL: How grateful are you to the "friend" who encouraged you to accompany her to the auditions for the third series of Popstars?

Danielle: Thank you Lauren! (laughs) I'm very glad she dragged me along! I actually drove her down to the auditions and when we got there, she asked me if I wanted to audition as well, I think she was nervous.

GIRL: You started out singing country music; do you think you will move back into that music genre?

Danielle: Well I haven't closed that off which is good. I only got into it just before the Popstars series but I love it! I look up to artists like Shania Twain and Faith Hill because they seem like lovely people and are very talented. The B-Side track on my single is the Janis Joplin cover so I'm just going to keep it in there. I don't want to be stuck in one style, I don't want to be a pop princess or a rock chick, I want to have a bit of variety. I love all styles of music.

GIRL: What was Matt Medcraf referring to when he commented that you've given your current single "a real Danielle trademark"?

Danielle: I don't know, that's funny! I guess my own style is having fun and certainly my personality comes across in my recordings. It's just me, being me.

GIRL: Do you still keep in contact with Scott Cain or any of the other Popstars finalists?

Danielle: Yeah I saw Scott last night in Sydney and I keep in contact with the other finalists. They're all doing really great things.

GIRL: How do you feel about being nicknamed "Barbie" by your friends?

Danielle: I hate it, I was given that nickname when I was in Grade Six and it's only because I'm blonde.

GIRL: Do you have any future plans to move into other areas of the entertainment industry?

Danielle: No not really, I mean I wouldn't say no to it but singing and music are definitely my main passion. I'd really like to get into the production side of things, I love being in the studio and playing around with things.

GIRL'S 60 SECOND QUIZ


Full Name: Danielle Patricia Stearman
Nickname(s): Barbie, Dan Dan, Dani
Star Sign: Leo

Fave Food: Chocolate freckles
Fave Film: My Girl
Fave Actor: Cameron Diaz
Fave Animal: Dog

Describe Yourself In 3 Words: Down-to-earth
Best Feature: My personality
Worst Feature: My temper
Person You Would Most Like To Meet: Madonna
Hobbies/Interests: Singing, roller-blading & anything active

First Job: In a Milkbar
A Talent You Wish You Had: To play an instrument
The Best Advice Given To You: Stay true to myself
What Can You Never Leave Home Without: My lip gloss
If you were a cartoon character, which one would you be? Daffy Duck
If you were told you had a minute to live, what would you do? I'd probably eat!
What is the first thing you think of when you wake up in the morning? I think about getting five more minutes sleep!
What do you think of when we say Tom Cruise? Nicole Kidman

- Annemarie Failla & Michelle Palmer