Harder than childbirth

By Kelly Yates
Marijana Topalovic, who has made it through to the top 24 contestants, performed the power ballad ‘It Must Have Been Love’ by Roxette on Tuesday night.
The 27-year-old spoke to the News this week and said she felt like she lost herself on stage during the semi-finals, with judge Dicko saying he felt like he was watching the Eurovision Song Contest in 1983.
“I was overwhelmed up there on stage,” she said.
“And if I was a judge rating my performance I would have said the same thing.”
Ms Topalovic said she auditioned for the Idol phenomenon because she wanted to take her music to the next level.
The performer said she realised she wanted to become a singer when she was about eight years old.
“My piano teacher’s sisters convinced me to hang around for some singing lessons and the rest is history,” she said.
Ms Topalovic was born in Dakovo in Croatia and migrated with her family to Australia when she was 11.
She has spent the past 12 years singing in a wedding band.
While admitting it would be hard to be apart from her children if she made it through to the next round, Ms Topalovic has accepted that it’s something she has to do.
“I have to do this as I won’t achieve it sitting at home,” she said.
“My children are very proud of my achievements. They keep asking when I’ll be on stage again.”
Ms Topalovic said she would love to bring home the title of Australian Idol but has the ultimate goal to enjoy every part of being in the competition.
“I’m just going to live in the moment and enjoy myself whether I win or lose,” she said.
The former Victorian College of Arts student says she draws her inspiration from singer Eva Cassidy.
“I love the fact that every time she sings she tells a different story,” she said.
Ms Topalovic is hoping the Endeavour Hills community will back her if she’s chosen as one of the top 12 contestants.
Will Marijana Topalovic be the next Australian Idol?