Christine Anu leaps to Jess Mauboy's defence following Melbourne Cup drama.

“I am so proud of you for coming out and telling everyone how it is.”

Christine Anu has leapt to Jess Mauboys’ defense following the controversy surrounding Mauboy for not performing the Australian national anthem at Melbourne Cup on Tuesday.

In a lengthy Facebook post, the 45-year-old singer and actress described Mauboy as “sunshine on a rainy day”, praising her for being honest with the Australian public about the pressures of the entertainment industry.

Watch Jess Mauboy singing the national anthem at the NRL Grand Final last month (post continues after video):

Anu took the opportunity to remind everyone of the extreme pressure entertainers are put under when they are contracted for big performances.

“The public and media never remember or write about the mechanics. They only ever remember, taunt and criticise the performer for their wardrobe, how they performed, forgotten lyrics, etc.”

The Facebook post comes after Mauboy explained to News.com.au that she suffered a panic attack moments before she was due on stage to sing.

“People on one side are bickering with people on another side and it started to suffocate me, it was crazy and I didn’t know what to do.”

All I could feel was all the bad energy coming from people, time stopped and I could see it all going on around me, I could see me stuck on the lounge and I’m thinking ‘Why aren’t you getting up and getting going?’ It was really horrible.”

Addressing people who berated Mauboy for her last-minute disappearance, Anu explained that Jess’s openness about her anxiety should raise mental health awareness across the country.

“Panic attacks are real and affect 1 in 3 people in Australia. We as a community need to continue conversations around mental health to ensure people who suffer from panic attacks are supported at home, school or in the work place.”

Attaching an image of the pair together, Anu signed off the message with the hashtag #TeamMauboy. We’ll be jumping on that hashtag Christine!

Because we’re #TeamMauboy all the way.

You can read Christine Anu’s full status here.

Have you ever suffered from a panic attack?