Living the dream on Australian Idol

DELIGHTING many with her unique sound, Bacchus Marsh forklift driver and singing talent Jacinta Guirguis has finally achieved her long-held dream of competing on Australian Idol.

Bacchus Marsh locals have been glued to their screens across recent days to catch the unassuming 26-year-old mix it with the best of the nation’s top raw – and until now – undiscovered vocal talent.

As the competition this week reached the pointy end, Guirguis said that whatever the outcome, just getting onto the show represents an invaluable opportunity as she reaches for her musical dreams.

“Having an opportunity like this opens up a lot of doors,” said Guirguis speaking from Sydney where she’s been staying during filming of the television show.

“This wasn’t my first time applying for this show. It was my third time.

“Being on the show I feel is really special. I’m trying to change the narrative on what an artist should be.”

Away from forklift driving as part of her wider work in warehousing and logistics, the quietly spoken singer is into coin collecting and reading.

“You can have anxiety and lack confidence and have imperfections, but you can still do what you love,” she said.

Guirguis said that as a young child she had no idea she had any particular musical abilities until a friend brought her along to a singing experience and she discovered something she has loved ever since.

“No-one in my family is musical or can sing,” she said.

“I would have been eight years old and a friend took me to a take-a-friend singing day and it’s stuck ever since.

“I’m hoping to continue to write music and record and do anything I can in the industry.”

Besides singing covers as demonstrated on Australian Idol, she also composes a lot of her own original songs using her trusty Casio digital keyboard that she obtained as a young teen.

“When I was 13 it was my big purchase,” said Guirguis who is a major Tori Kelly fan and also counts Billie Eilish and Jacob Collier among her own most admired artists.

She said performing songs like Dreams by the Cranberries in front of a live studio audience has been a remarkable experience.

“I did enjoy it. It was really cool to see the live audience of 1500 people,” she said.

“A lot of people don’t realise how much work goes on behind the scenes.

“It’s a good reminder we are human. There is a massive team supporting us behind the scenes and we’re just trying our best.”

The talented singer, who’s previously performed at many local festivals and events together with Melbourne-based guitarist Josh Vuocolo, also had a special message.

“I just want people to be kind,” she said.

Ballarat’s Harry Lamb has also been competing on the show.