Dinah Jane pictured in 2017 singing the Tongan anthem at the Rugby League World Cup semi-final between Tonga and England in Auckland. Photo / Jason Oxenham
Dinah Jane pictured in 2017 singing the Tongan anthem at the Rugby League World Cup semi-final between Tonga and England in Auckland. Photo / Jason Oxenham
Twelve years ago, a 15-year-old Dinah Jane Hansen auditioned for a reality TV show sweeping the world - The X Factor.
She could not know at the time that that would be the launch of what would be a successful career initially with all-girl group Fifth Harmony.
And afterselling millions of records and parting ways, Dinah is now riding solo - and still smashing goals.
The US-born Tongan singer spoke with Island Roots, Auckland Ways in an exclusive interview about embracing her culture through the genre of music she now makes.
The eldest of 27 grandchildren, Hansen - like many Pasifika - is heavily centred around family. She describes her grandparents, Amoni Kauvaka Amasio and Seini Uitalia Hansen, as her prayer warriors and feature them in her music video.
“I know the type of responsibility as being the eldest daughter and also holding the title of the future fahu (matriarch).”
She acknowledged that the overlap of her personal and professional worlds was somewhat jarring.
“But then I was like, this is the era where you just have to be authentically yourself - not to be ashamed or afraid to show how you carry yourself within your home.”
With reported sales to the tune of 33 million, Fifth Harmony is one of the world’s best-selling girl groups.
Dinah-Jane Hansen, Ally Brooke, Camila Cabello, Lauren Jauregui and Normani Kordei, of Fifth Harmony, attend the MTV EMA's 2015 in Milan, Italy. Photo / Venturelli
After they disbanded in 2018, Dinah Jane debuted as a solo artist before taking a three-year break from performing.
She emerged last year from her pandemic hiatus with a new musical direction - veering away from the pop tunes that made her known to begin with.
Why representation matters
Recent collaborations with popular Polynesian artists J King and Myshaan would suggest Dinah Jane feels at home more now than ever.
“Why not stay authentically myself,” she said.
“I want [people] to know without even saying [that] I’m a Tongan island girl representing all of the South Pacific.
“Once you know you’re fifty-fifty about it, take a pause. Take a pause until you’re ready to come back.”
She took that pause herself and she is now ready to stage an exciting comeback.
Island Roots, Auckland Ways is hosted by Flava radio host Mariner ‘Maz’ Fagaiava and academic Allyssa Verner-Pula. New episodes are available every Thursday. You can follow the podcast on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
