Delta Goodrem was already working on her debut album when the producers of the Ten Network's long-running nightly program 'Neighbours' approached her to fill the role of Nina Tucker.
Nina is the painfully shy new girl at Erinsborough High who has an amazing voice but is too afraid to sing in front of anyone. So she practices at night and finally decides to record a demo of her song, 'Born To Try'.
Delta wrote the song with Selwyn's producer and co-writer Audius after a frenzied one-day writing session at her Sydney home. When the script called for Nina to record a demo she presented the show's producers with 'Born To Try'. "Everything fit, in terms of the music and the lyrics, with what I'd heard they wanted to do with the character," Delta explained.
The 17-year-old pianist, who has been writing for the past five years, met Audius almost a year ago. "Audius and I got on really, really well and someone at the record company suggested we write together. He came out to our house, mum made some lunch and we wrote four songs. 'Born To Try' was the last one. "We just naturally clicked and there was no pressure so it was just music for music's sake."
Delta's love of singing permeates her long days on the Neighbours set, often to the amusement of the crew. "I always gets into trouble from the audio people for singing too much," she laughed. "I get told to be quiet all the time."
Her nights are spent at the studio, recording the songs which will feature on her debut album which will be released in 2003. "The album changes every day. It's kind of a process of elimination at the moment," she said. "Juggling Neighbours and recording isn't a problem because they are both so important to me and I want to take the opportunities and the experience. "I'll sleep next week."
Nina debuts 'Born To Try' on Neighbours on October 11 and is released by Sony on November 11.
Sixteen-year-old Sydney singer/songwriter Delta Goodrem is one of those lucky people who have always known what they wanted to do.
Delta started piano lessons at 8 years of age; singing school when she was 10; then went on to drama and dancing. Propelled by her love of music and performance, Delta began writing songs at 12-years-old and recorded her first demo CD at 13 - funded by the money she saved from television appearances.
"My parents said the money could eventually go to buying a car or I could put it into my music and record a demo CD of five or six songs. I sent it out to lots of people. I wasn't sure of the system, of what you actually did with it after that. I sent it to friends and my parent's friends."
Knowing her passion for the Sydney Swans, friends sent Delta's CD to the club. Delta had included the Australian anthem in the hope she might be invited to sing it sometime before a game. "Anything to get on that pitch," she laughs.
The demo then found its way to fellow Swans supporter, John Farnham's manager Glenn Wheatley. Three years ago, he rang her and began overseeing the development of her songwriting. When she was ready, a new CD was sent to record companies. Her love of live performance, which she was able to demonstrate even in a record company boardroom, announced the arrival of an exciting new talent.
"I enjoy the pure catchiness of pop but I'm trying out different things on the album. There's some Latin feels in there and dance grooves. Everyone wants a little variety."
Like all true entertainers, it is taking that music to an audience, which gives Delta her greatest thrill.
"Performing is always my favourite part; it is a totally different world and you become a totally different person. I love it. I even love the nervous butterflies before I go on stage."
