A powerhouse vocalist, who has been singing since before she could walk, has captured audiences nationwide with her larger-than-life stage presence and unwavering confidence.
Daisy Hill’s Paxton Smith is making waves in the music world after securing a spot in the top 30 of Australian Idol.
“I’ve been singing since I came out of the womb, essentially,” Miss Smith said.
“I actually woke my mum out of anaesthetic when I was born, so I’ve always been loud.It’s just who I am.”
Her love for music started early, watching icons like Tina Turner and belting out tunes whenever she got the chance.
“Tina Turner has always been a huge influence,” she said.
“She’s strong, powerful, and full of love. There’s this performance she did at Wembley Stadium of ‘Proud Mary’ where the crowd was louder than the music. That’s the dream for me.”
Miss Smith’s admiration for strong female artists extends beyond their vocal abilities.
“It’s not just about having a great voice,” she said.
“It’s about being unapologetically yourself. People like Tina, they don’t change for anyone.
They hold their ground and believe in themselves, and that’s something I really try to embrace.”
Recognising her talent, Paxton’s mum enrolled her in singing lessons at just five years old, setting her on a path that would eventually lead to national recognition.
That early success opened doors, leading her to John Paul College in Daisy Hill, where she earned a scholarship for the performing arts program.
“My parents moved from Coffs Harbour up to Logan for me to achieve my dreams at John Paul College,” she said.
“It was a big decision for the family, and I will always be grateful to them.”
Though she had been name-dropped for various talent shows while still in high school, her family encouraged her to finish her studies first.
Now, with school behind her, she took a chance and auditioned for Australian Idol.
“I saw the auditions were open and thought, ‘Why not?’ It’s a great way to get some exposure,” she said.
“For my first audition, I sang a few Tina Turner songs, including ‘Proud Mary’ and ‘What’s Love Got to Do with It,’ but I settled on ‘We Don’t Need Another Hero’—it’s a Mad Max classic, and everyone knows it.”
Performing for the Idol judges was a completely different challenge from singing in front of a large audience.
“I actually feel less nervous in front of a crowd,” she said.
“But standing in a room with just three people watching you? That’s terrifying.”
She masked her nerves well during the audition but admitted to feeling the pressure.
“I was shaking beforehand, and I couldn’t get my mouth moist enough—TMI, I know,” she said.
“But when I get nervous, I go even bigger and louder. That’s my way of coping. It’s like a wall of energy that protects me.”
Miss Smith’s family has been her rock throughout the process, especially her grandmother, who didn’t hesitate to make her presence known.
She made her way into the audition room when the process was taking just a little bit too long.
“Grandma just burst through like a force of nature,” she said.
“She’s my biggest cheerleader.”
For now, Miss Smith is soaking up the experience and taking it all in stride.
She knows that putting herself out there means opening herself up to criticism, but she refuses to let it define her.
“If you don’t put yourself out there, you’ll never get anywhere,” she said.
“You can’t let people’s opinions dictate your life. I’m chasing the dream, and I’m giving it everything I’ve got.”
