The DeAraugo family have a vast musical background, making Kate’s love for music and singing strong throughout her life. From an early age Kate performed at many functions for school, local theatre productions, as well as many weddings and other gigs around Bendigo with her uncle.
At age fourteen, Kate had the opportunity to sing the National Anthem at a sports function at the Palladium Ballroom at Crown in Melbourne hosted by the Prime Minister. It was at this time Kate was introduced to Ms Venetta Fields.
Venetta has worked with hundreds of international artists such as Ike and Tina Turner, Aretha Franklin, Pink Floyd and many many others as well as Australia’s own John Farnham. Kate began singing lessons with Venetta at 14 and they soon became great friends. Kate decided at 18, after completing VCE, that she would move to Queensland and live with Venetta because of her experience in the music industry and what she could teach Kate about life as a musician. Kate had already auditioned for Australian Idol twice and had decided not to bother a third time. Venetta urged Kate to try again with a new attitude, and on the third attempt Kate made the cut.
After a long season of Australian Idol Kate was the eventual winner over Emily Williams. Kate recorded her first single “Maybe Tonight” during the show which stayed at #1 on the charts for two weeks. Kate went on to release her solo album “A Place I’ve Never Been” and enjoyed success with a further single from the album “Faded” which stayed in the charts for many weeks.
Early in 2006 the idea for The Young Divas was put to Kate and the group was formed. Kate DeAraugo, Paulini Curuenavuli, Emily Williams and Rikki Lee Coulter had a very successful debut single with “This Time I Know It’s For Real” which was in the Top 100 charts for over 8 months. Soon after the single release, the group went on The Young Divas Live tour, originally a two week tour that lasted for 3 months due to sell-out crowds. The Young Divas went on to record a self-titled album which went double platinum.
After Rikki Lee left the group and Jessica Mouboy took her place, the girls recorded their next album “New Attitude”, with the hit single “Turn Me Loose”.
Since then The Young Divas have decided to work on their solo careers and still remain firm friends.
Kate DeAraugo herself is working on many things at the moment.
