From a nervous shy girl who was given a lifeline, when another X Factor contestant left the show, to a global singing sensation at Eurovision, Dami Im has been on the roller-coaster ride of her.
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The now 28-year-old former piano teacher says it has been an amazing journey since winning the talent show in 2013.
“It’s been a crazy experience. I have played piano since I was five years old and always practising and working hard on my craft all my life. But when I look back, so much has happened since X Factor.”
Im says she is grateful for her amazing fans, known as the Dami Army, and for the support given her by her X Factor mentor Dannii Minogue. “Dannii has gvien me so much support and she is a good friend now and an amazing person.”
Minogue is certainly part of the reason Im has blossomed into a fashion queen. “I was not always trendy, but I do love trying on clothes and experimenting with different looks. I am lucky my job is to keep trying new looks as much as it’s about the music and sound.”
She says she is really enjoying how well things have turned out and is grateful to be able to perform to people who want to hear her sing.
Certainly since her wowing all at the Eurovision Song Contest, Im has been in big demand to take centre stage at important events.
She sang the Australian national anthem at this year’s NRL Grand Final and at the Melbourne Cup, where she also performed Celine Dion’s The Power of the Dream, accompanied by the Royal Melbourne Philharmonic orchestra and choir.
“It is a big honour for me to sing the national anthem.”
Two weeks after her Eurovision experience, Im travelled to Uganda to meet a child she supports through the Compassion Australia charity. The visit was filmed and Im says it was important to put the spotlight on the charity and its work.
“It was such a big contrast after the glamour of Eurovision. I felt very humbled to see the terrible conditions Jovia and her family live in. It was good to bring all the attention I was getting on to the charity. It means the children can have medical benefits and go to school.”
Im, who lives in Queensland with her husband Noah Kim, has never been to Port Macquarie. “It’s the first time and I am realy excited. I really hope to have a little look around, go to the beach and enjoy it.”
This tour celebrates her album Classic Carpenters, which might seem an odd choice for her big voice. “I’ve always been a big fan,” she says. “My parents used to play their songs, and they are really great, no matter how old they are. They are really beautiful, and this is my version of them.”
But don’t worry, she will also belt out her X Factor winner’s song Alive, Eurovision hit Sound of Silence and new single Fighting for Love, and she says, a few surprises.