Australian Idol: Judge and pop legend Marcia Hines reveals her secrets to longevity in the music industry

Marcia Hines never expected to be a household name. The singer and TV presenter never dreamt taking a chance on the musical Hair at age 16 would mark the start of a 60-year career. She never guessed that, sitting beside Mark Holden and Ian “Dicko” Dickson, their new reality series would produce some of the country’s most beloved performers. And now, 22 years on from the first season of Australian Idol, Hines didn’t even assume she might uncover the next generation of Aussie talent alongside fellow judges Amy Shark and Kyle Sandilands. “We’ve found some incredible, incredible people,” Hines tells STM. “But I never expected anything. That’s just my motto in life: You can expect nothing and you’ll get something.” So you can also bet Hines, 71, also didn’t expect to be told by the contestants they used to stay up late to watch her on the series with their grandmothers two decades earlier. This generation, who were in primary school when Hines was mentoring the likes of Guy Sebastian, Casey Donovan, Jessica Mauboy and Matt Corby, are unlike any wave of contestants Hines has seen during her time on the panel. “They’re all the same in the sense that all they want to do is sing,” she says. “That’s one of the first things they’ll say: ‘all I’ve ever wanted to do in my life is sing’. “But they’re far more hip than the kids 22 years ago, particularly about social media and what they should do and what they shouldn’t do.” The legend of the Australian music scene may be able to pick up tips on going viral or curating a TikTok account from the social media-savvy newcomers, but what she offers them in return is invaluable access to the wisdom that has come from her rich and successful career in pop and musical theatre. Alongside going through life with no expectations, Hines has a few more tips up her sleeve for longevity in the industry. She works hard and makes sacrifices to do what she loves, one of them being living out of a suitcase during her recent 18-week Still Shining 50th anniversary concert tour. Hines knows the importance of teamwork, likening taking part in productions such as Grease as being part of an ensemble show like Friends or Seinfeld — the show can’t go on without a united team. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, Hines swears by the benefits of a good snooze. “I like sleeping,” she says. “Those power naps are the most brilliant thing you can do.” Australian Idol returns on February 2 on Seven and 7Plus.