Jessica Mauboy Breaks Silence On Mundine's National Anthem Sledge: 'Of Course I Was Angry'

27 February 2017 | 9:05 am | Staff Writer

'I've sung that so many times... so how come only now a leader comes up and says I'm wrong?'

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Jessica Mauboy has broken her silence after Anthony Mundine claimed she was only asked to sing the Australian national anthem for the boxing rematch between him and Danny Green earlier this month because "she is black".

The Darwin-born singer refused to comment leading up to the fight and even shouted "Go Mundine" as she left the ring following the performance, but in a new interview with News Corp, Mauboy said Mundine's comments did get to her. 

"Like I was dumb and that I didn’t care… of course I care!" Mauboy said.

"I've sung that so many times, I've sung it in (indigenous) language, so how come only now a leader comes up and says I'm wrong?"

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"Because I haven't walked in his shoes that now for some reason I'm the bad person."

When asked about his thoughts on Mauboy being asked to sing the anthem prior to the bout, Mundine responded, "[Mauboy] might not have researched or know the actual facts around the anthem. If she wants to do that, that's on her, but I want to educate black and white people".

Mauboy continued, "That's his story. I'm still growing, I'm still making my pathway and trying to be a physical presence of my identity.

"I think that says enough. Being there and getting up and having the courage to share with people and even just being asked to sing, first of all, that’s all part of how I express my identity.

"Of course I was angry and upset but it was more of a feeling of being disowned, because he is such a big leader and people look (up) to him."

Despite her stance on the subject, the 27-year-old admitted to being "shit scared" when she stepped out onto Adelaide Oval. 

"I was more worried to the point of seeing my mob or people in the community (disapprove) because it means a lot to be a representation of something.

"It was more of a unifying moment for me. Maybe singing it isn’t right according to some people's beliefs but I'm here, I'm here with everyone."