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Then there were two Young Divas

Article from: Sunday Herald Sun

Fiona Byrne

August 24, 2008 12:00am

FOUNDING member Paulini Curuenavuli has quit the troubled Young Divas singing group to concentrate on her solo career.

Curuenavuli's departure comes on the heels of Jessica Mauboy's decision earlier this year to quit the Divas to also work on a solo album.

Curuenavuli's departure means that only Kate DeAraugo, who recently fell off the Jenny Craig fat fighting wagon, and Emily Williams remain as Divas.

But it is strongly tipped that the two remaining Divas will be dumped and the group rebuilt from scratch.

Curuenavuli's manager, Nicole Hart, described the talented singer's decision to walk away from the Divas as an "evolution" in her music career.

Curuenavuli would not be part of any future Divas recordings.

"It is true, Paulini is not involved in Young Divas any more," Hart said.

"It 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."

Divas manager David Champion said: "The spirit of the Young Divas will live on in a new incarnation with a third album to be recorded once the new line up is finalised.

"Think of the Young Divas not so much as an act but as a finishing school for future superstars."

Curuenavuli recently completed 14 new songs during an intensive three months of writing and recording.

Hart said Curuenavuli hoped to have an album ready for release early next year and was planning an acoustic tour towards the end of the year.

The Young Divas have had a tempestuous career.

The band had chart success with its first album, but was rocked by in-fighting and catty spats between the members.

Ricki-Lee Coulter walked from the group before the second album was recorded.