NZ Woman Weekly 2003年12月22日

After singing for US president George Bush, Prince Charles and the Queen, it is difficult to imagine Hayley Westenra having many more dreams to fulfil.
But as she sits in a beautiful flat in London's Covent Garden, watching the rain drizzle down the big bay windows that overlook the busy city streets, Hayley has a confession to make.
"I'm a bit homesick and I can't wait to get back to New Zealand for Christmas," she says. "I left at the beginning of August and it's been hectic, travelling and performing, but so incredibly exciting. Now I'm ready to have a break at home, to see everyone... oh, and sort my bedroom out. It's such a mess and I haven't had a chance to do anything with it.
"I miss the Kiwi lifestyle, the space and the relaxed attitude. Luckily, there's a shop near here where you can buy New Zealand things such as Toffee Pops and Vegemite so I've not missed out on those things."
Hayley misses her family and friends most during her time overseas.
"I can't believe it's been three months since I saw my sister Sophie and brother Isaac," she says.
"I miss my cockatiel Zac too. I wonder if he's learned any new words? Oh, and we've got a rabbit since I left, a little Netherlands dwarf. She's called Polly but Sophie calls her Polly Darling, which is so cute. Sophie loves Christmas. She makes presents and cards and gets really excited. I can't wait to see her and Isaac my brother too. I miss them all. As it gets closer and closer, I'm like 'wow'. I can't wait to get home."
The past three years have been a whirlwind for Hayley (16), and the past three months possibly most taxing of all, taking her all around Asia and Europe as she promotes her new album Pure.
But Hayley takes it all in her stride, seeing each performance and promotional event as an opportunity.
"It can be hard at times but it is so nice to know that people enjoy what I do," she says. "I'm incredibly fortunate to be doing this. I never forget that."
When she talks about singing for the Queen not just once but twice in one week, Hayley admits to being totally in awe at the famous people listening to her.
The first event was a banquet hosted by President George Bush for the Queen at the US Ambassador's residence in London. The guests included Prince Philip, Prince Charles, British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Prince Andrew and many important political figures from the US.
"It was nerve-racking and I only got a couple of weeks notice about the performance," she says. "I didn't sleep much the night before. It was amazing how much security there was.
I had to go through barricades, then checks by the British police, American police and the FBI. My bag was searched before I was allowed in."
When Hayley took her place in front of the guests, the reality of the situation suddenly hit her.

"It was surreal, although I was more excited than nervous by that stage," she says. "I glanced around the room and saw President Bush leaning back in his chair to get a good look. It's strange seeing all the people you see on TV, sitting there in front of you. They look pretty much the same in real life.
"The scariest bit was that Andrew Lloyd Webber was in the audience and I was singing songs from his show Woman in White, which I had to learn. I was like, 'Oh no, please don't let me forget the words.' Luckily, it went fine.
"President Bush shook my hand afterwards and said something like, 'You sang really well and your performance really capped off the evening.' I can't remember exactly because I was so excited. It's a bit of a blur."
Later that same week, Hayley sang at the Royal Variety Show in Edinburgh, once again in front of the Queen.
"It was quite funny because we were presented to her afterwards and she said, 'Didn't I see you earlier this week?' She's just as nice in real life."
Hayley was not the only New Zealander presented to Her Majesty at that event. Pop star Daniel Bedingfield was also in the line-up and he and Hayley instantly bonded as buddies, sharing lots of anecdotes about home.
"Daniel is such a cool person and very proud of being a Kiwi. And yes, he is very cute," she admits. "A Maori cultural group was also performing and we all had a Maori prayer before the show. It was quite emotional and added to that pride in being a New Zealander."
It's mainly fellow Kiwis who recognise Hayley when she is travelling, probably remembering the early photographs of a freshfaced young girl who was spotted busking on the streets of Christchurch three years ago.
"I don't look much like my album covers when I'm just being me," she laughs. "I'm a jeans and sweatshirt kind of girl and I don't wear much make-up. In fact, I got caught on the hop today. I was doing an interview with a Japanese publication and I thought it was a magazine but it turned out to be TV so I had to put my lipstick on very quickly."
Hayley's mum Jill has been with her throughout the European leg of this promotional tour.
Her dad Gerald accompanied his daughter during the earlier leg of the trip through Asia, then returned to the family's Christchurch home to take care of Isaac (10), Sophie (14), Zac the cockatiel and Polly Darling the rabbit.
Last year Hayley flew home from overseas commitments on Christmas Day. This time she is arriving home a little earlier. The Westenras will then travel south to spend the festive period with other family members.
After her well-earned break, Hayley has a packed 2004 ahead of her, including her launch on to the US market.
But before she goes stateside, Hayley will be touring the country she loves best - New Zealand.
Her album Pure has already gone multiplatinum here and this will be a chance for her many fans to see her perform in person. "Being able to sing in New Zealand is really special and important to me," Hayley says.
"This is where it all started and it will always be my home, wherever I go."

Sharon Course

* The Hayley Westenra Pure tour kicks off in Dunedin on 17 February, then plays Christchurch, Wellington, Hamilton, Palmerston North and ends In Auckland on 29 February.