Music

“Being Strong Doesn’t Make You A Bitch”: You Need To Hear Kasey Chambers’ ARIAs Speech

Kasey Chambers was just inducted into the ARIA Hall Of Fame -- her speech is a perfect reminder why.

by Jared Richards  28 November 2018
Kasey Chambers and Paul Kelly at 2018 ARIAs

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Tonight, the ARIAs inducted Kasey Chambers into the Hall Of Fame: at 42, she’s the youngest female to nab the honour.

Following a moving medley performance of ‘Not Pretty Enough’ and ‘Ain’t No Little Girl’ (aided by Kate Miller-Heidke, Missy Higgins and Amy Sheppard, no less) Chambers received a standing ovation — and a poem by Paul Kelly.

But it was her speech afterwards — largely dedicated to her parents — which reminded many at home why she’s an all-time great. After wiping away tears and thanking Kelly, Chambers pulled her speech out of her boot, explaining to laughter that she “had nowhere else to put it”.

“The two main things I’ve learnt about how to survive in the music business is to always be true to yourself and to find your tribe,” said Chambers, “…I have had the most amazing tribe in the world, my mum and dad.”

“[My mum’s] the most inspiring woman I know… Over the years, she’s taught me that being a bitch doesn’t make you strong, and to be strong doesn’t make you a bitch.”

“The best advice my dad ever gave me was, ‘just don’t be a dickhead’ — I know it doesn’t sound very profound, but it’s been the best advice to follow. Seriously, you don’t need to be a dickhead to get ahead in this business, you really don’t. You don’t have to drag other people down to get to the top.”

She ended her speech by saying that she wasn’t special.

“I don’t believe I’m up here because I’m a strong woman,” she said, choking up. “I think I’m standing up here because I’m just myself, and that’s all any of us ever need to be.”

On Twitter, audiences were caught off-guard by the refreshing speech, with many saying they were having a cheeky cry.

 

Watch Chambers’ speech and Kelly’s poem below.

Feature image by ARIAs Official Twitter.