Our Haley off to Iraq

Remember Haley Jensen? AKA Our Haley?

Canberra’s own former Australian Idol competitor is off to Iraq, the Canberra Times reported today.

Along with Angry Anderson, Beccy Cole, Bessie Bardot and Little Pattie, Ms Jensen will entertain troops in “the morale-bosting Tour de Force concert tour over Christmas and the New Year”.

The performers are all donating their time for this tour. One does wonder how many paid gigs Our Haley has actually had since Idol.

She says she’s “really excited” about the tour, but admits she might find the helicopters a bit scary.

Idol star to entertain the troops
By Megan Doherty

In a big boost to her fledgling career, Canberra’s Haley Jensen has been selected to perform for Australian troops in the Middle East over the festive period, including a Christmas Eve concert in Iraq.

Jensen, 22, who was a finalist in last year’s Australian Idol, will join Angry Anderson, Beccy Cole, Bessie Bardot and Little Pattie in the morale-bosting Tour de Force concert tour over Christmas and the New Year.

Now living in Sydney, where she is recording her first album, Jensen said she was honoured to be selected for the tour, in which the performers are donating their time and services.

“At Christmas time, for the troops to be away from their family and not with the people they love, it’s pretty hard,” she said. “But it’s not hard for me to go and do it for one year.

“To give a little of our time and spend it with them to brighten their spirits should be fantastic. I feel very honoured to be invited to do it.”

Performing in Iraq on Christmas Eve would be an unforgettable experience. “I think as we go to get on the Black Hawk helicopters it might be a bit scary but at the moment I’m really excited about it,” she said.

During the concerts, Jensen will be performing songs from her forthcoming debut album, due out in April 2006, and will be supported by the Royal Australian Navy Band.

Little Pattie, who was in Canberra yesterday, to open an exhibition at the National Archives of Australia, did a similar concert tour during the Vietnam War. She expected to be the “mum” figure on the trip this time around.