When legendary girl group Jamali first entered the reality TV talent show Coca-Cola Popstars in 2003, their powerhouse vocals took South Africa by storm. Back then, they were just young women with a massive dream, trying to figure out how to make it a reality.
Now, years later, Jacqui Carpede, Liesl Penniken and Mariechan Luiters have stepped back into the spotlight together after thirteen years and they are ready for their new chapter – their highly anticipated three-track EP titled Full Circle.
READ MORE | Full Circle - Jamali returns after 13 years to reclaim their throne in music
Speaking to TRUELOVE about their homecoming after a thirteen-year hiatus, the trio opens up about their personal growth as women and artists, life with resilience and finding their way back to each other.
Though they are back together, the women who stepped away are not the exact same ones stepping back onto the stage. Reflecting on their individual and collective journeys, the mindset shift has been profound.
“I think with age, you kind of have to learn new things. You evolve; you just get better with time,” Liesl notes.
“I think when you’re at that age, then you’re full of excitement and ambition and big dreams, you’re eager to learn and prove yourself. We were very young,” she says with a hint of nostalgia in her voice.
That evolution brought a profound shift in mindset. “I have much deeper appreciation and sense of confidence, as well as self-awareness. I’ve learned that success isn’t just about talent, it’s resilience, discipline - patience. It’s staying true to your values and your core. I’ve become more intentional with my choices, both creatively and personally.” Mariechan says.
“I’m no longer afraid to trust my instincts,” she adds.
Jacqui reflects similarly on her own journey, “I think I’ve always liked the person I was or am, but I’ve enjoyed the journey of just discovering who else I’m becoming. Outside of what the world may or may not know about me, I’m also enjoying the space to get to know who I am on my own.
Looking back on the hurdles of life, Jacqui credits her resilience: “Life is hard but when you really sit down and be like, ‘I did that, I managed to go through life with grace and a smile’ and remain optimistic for the future.”
When asked about what they are choosing to do differently moving forward, their answers reflect a deep sense of self-awareness.
“It’s staying in the present, it’s being more intentional. It’s not taking things personal,” Mariechan notes. “Everything is a part of the growth process, everything within my stride, and I think our personal evolution, our personal development, is what is already rewriting the next chapter.”
Jacqui says, “For me, it’s just staying open to learning new things, being more patient with people [and] accepting things for what they are and accepting people for who they are. Sometimes just because you are different, doesn’t necessarily mean their way of doing things is, is wrong per se.”
As part of their rebirth, the group intends to have an epic rebrand, “We’re also trying to up all our profiles,” Liesl notes. “People are still stuck on what they know.” Liesl says acknowledging that many still see them as the 19- and 20-year-olds they once were.
Reflecting on their journey, the group offers profound advice to hopeful South African women looking to carve out their own full-circle moments.
“If I’m speaking to somebody who does resonate with my story and who I am and where I come from, anything is possible.” Jacqui notes, “Everything that you set your mind to is possible because it sounds cliched. It sounds like a bumper sticker, but through this you really can become whoever you want to be. I really am a living testament of the fact that you can make it out, and you can become somebody,” Jacqui adds.
Through every high and low, their faith remains their anchor and main philosophy.
“My last hope would always be my faith in God. If there’s no one else to turn to, you can always turn to God. He will never leave you and he will never forsake you, no matter what you’re going through - that’s been my philosophy in my life.” Liesl says.
Mariechan shares the same sentiment, “That is a very important part of growing up. It’s to strengthen your spirituality and, most important, the ladies have to trust their journey. You can keep God in the centre of everything - trust the journey and don’t compare your timeline to anyone else’s.”
Closing out with advice for aspiring creatives, Mariechan notes that a full-circle moment isn’t something that happens overnight, “It’s literally built through the small and consistent choices that you make every single day.”
“Don’t be afraid to start before you feel ready. Just learn to embrace the challenges and understand that setbacks are often preparing you for something greater, something different,” Mariechan concludes.
“Every season, even the hard ones, has a purpose. So just take it in your stride, stay the course, and in the end, you have to stay true to yourself, because there’s nothing else you can do.”
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