Marcia Hines moved to Australia at age 16. A few months later, she found out she was pregnant.

These days, Marcia Hines is a musical icon who has called Australia home for over five decades. 

But in 1969 at 16 years old, she was only just leaving her hometown of Boston in the United States to pursue a career that wasn't guaranteed. 

Hines made her way to Australia to star in the musical Hair. It was a scary journey for anyone to make, but Hines, who was still only just a teenager, took comfort in her mother who told her she could return home if she didn't like Australia.

"That’s the best thing you can say to a kid, that you can come home. I auditioned and maybe nine [to] 12 days later, I was on a plane to Sydney," she told SMH in 2022. "I just wanted to sing. I had no idea what would happen after that. I’ve always been game. Not stupid, but game."

Marcia's journey acclimating to Australia was difficult enough, but when she arrived in Sydney, she found out she was pregnant. 

Watch this clip of Marcia Hines performing Fire and Rain on Countdown in 1975. Post continues after video. 

At the age of 17, she became a single mother. 

"I was onstage the night I had my daughter, Deni. I was back onstage nine days later," she told Stellar Magazine in 2017. "When Deni was born, she had me all day, and a nanny when I went to work. Eventually, my mother came to live with us; I was blessed with good people around me."

Hines added, years later, that her mother looked after her daughter while she was on long tours. 

"We had three generations. It’s always interesting because you’ve a common enemy — you’re the common enemy," Hines recalled. "She’d say, 'She’s just a baby.' I’d say, 'Mum, she’s 25.'"

Marcia Hines and her daughter Deni Hines, 2000. Image: Getty.

Now at 69 years old, Hines is yet to call any other place home.

Hines settled in nicely during the 1970s, finding solace in her creative friendships, especially with gay men during a time when homosexual sex was still considered a crime in NSW until 1984.

"I lived in a bubble, let’s be honest," she told Sydney Morning Herald. "Being a performer allows you to be with like-minded people. You don’t have to venture out, and I didn’t. I’m a very accepting person. Everybody goes to hell in their own way."

Her career has seen immeasurable heights. She's sold 2.6 million copies of her music and released 22 albums. In 2007, Hines was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame and in 2009, she was awarded the Order of Australia. 

Marcia Hines, 1976. Image: Getty.

Hines was the first Australian female artist to have a platinum-selling album and the first woman to have seen consecutive Top 20 album releases. 

But what cemented her as a legend in Australia was when she appeared as a judge on Australian Idol between 2003 and 2009. 

It was announced in September 2022 that Hines would join the judging panel of the singing competition's reboot as a guest judge.

It was announced in September 2022 that Hines would join as a guest judge for the rebooted singing competition. This week, it was revealed that she will be reprising her judging role and replacing Meghan Trainor for Australian Idol in 2024.

"Australian Idol is a great vehicle for uncovering some fantastic Australian talent," she said in a statement issued by Channel Seven in 2022. 

Marcia Hines with Mark Holden and Kyle Sandilands on American Idol. Image: Ten.

"I know it’s not an easy task singing in front of strangers," Hines said, who was known for being the compassionate voice amid harsh critics on Australian Idol. "But I hope that contestants show us their heart and the gift that is their voice."

Hines admittedly doesn't like the attention that comes with fame, but the singer does love sharing the joy of her music with others. 

"People tell me great stories about what their music has meant to them," Hines told SMH. "That’s a great feeling."

Feature Image: Getty/Mamamia.