Young Divas

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. 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. 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. Following its release, the group embarked on their Young Divas Live! tour across Australia. 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.

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. 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. The album debuted at number four on the ARIA Albums Chart and was certified double platinum, for sales of 140,000 copies. 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.

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. 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. 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. 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. 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.

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. 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." During this time, rumours began to circulate that Lavina Williams, Casey Donovan or Jessica Mauboy, would be Coulter's replacement. However, during an Australian Idol concert at Federation Square in Melbourne on 26 September 2007, it was revealed that Mauboy was the new member. Her management saw the Young Divas as a perfect learning curve about all that was positive and negative in the music industry.

The group released their second studio album New Attitude on 26 November 2007. The album debuted at number 10 on the ARIA Albums Chart and was certified gold. A cover of Loverboy's "Turn Me Loose", featuring New Zealand rapper Savage, was released the album's first single on 3 November 2007. The song peaked at number 15 on the ARIA Singles Chart. 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. They also stated that the Young Divas were not being dropped and would continue to record music.

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. 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. 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. 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." 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." 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. The concert was held to thank the workers and volunteers who helped those affected by the Black Saturday bushfires.

Discography