ELLA HOOPER'S ABOUT TO MAKE HER BIG COMEBACK. SHE HUNG OUT WITH CHICK TO TELL US WHERE SHE'S BEEN AND WHERE SHE'S GOING. --- [View pictures from article]

"Oh guys, sorry, I just woke up - can I get you a coffee or something?"
A small, extremely attractive girl stood in the doorway of the Byron Bay apartment. Her big brown eyes and friendly smiled enticed us to enter. "I'm Ella," she said, extending out her hand. It was kind of a shock to realise this normal girl was the Ella Hooper. As she bustled around he apartment she'd hired for a holiday with her boyfriend Craig, it was obvious how un-rock star she looked. Her small, five-foot frame wore snug dark-blue jeans and a casual al-printed halterneck top. Her well known dreddies had been cut to a messy bob, while two long strips hung down each side of her face. Appearance aside, it was the way she chatted too.

"Look!" she gushed as she fidgeted with the stereo, "Craig and I have just been CD shopping, we went crazy -we got The Best of NWA. The Butterfly Effect, Bob Dylan, Basement Jaxx...we've been listening to so many different types."

If you expect Ella to be a focused, serious kinda chick, you're wrong. The conversation ranged from comments about Ali G's half-naked-women music clip - "Ohmigod -those thighs defy logic!" to stories of her Nanna. "My Nanna asked me who cut my hair and I said 'A friend Nanna,' and she goes 'Well I bet he's not a friend anymore!'" It was nice to be in the presence of someone so popular but so real.

Life for Ella Hooper has changed dramatically since she became the 16-year-old lead singer of the aspiring band Killing Heidi way back in 1999. There's been her appearance on magazine covers - The Australian Style, Rolling Stone, TV Hits and now Chick amongst othes. A long stretch in the studio: "We're working on our new album and we're almost at the mixing stage which is exciting!" And a two week tour through Northern Queensland. "We went on a double decker bus with four bands starting at Brissie and heading up to Cairns - it was awesome!"
All great achievements for a girl who's just faced the two biggest challenges of her life.
"We were invited by Triple J to play for the troops in East Timor along with Something for Kate and Groove Terminator. It was full on -probably the biggest culture shock I've had so far. I'd never been to a Third World country and there it was right in front of me. It was awesome though. Despite the horrible living conditions and hot weather the troops' appreciation made it so worthwhile - you don't get paid so they were so happy we wanted to do it."

If that wasn't enough of a challenge, Ella returned home to face an operation in hospital. "My vocal cord had a cyst in it and I had to get it removed. I couldn't talk for two days - it was hell! And I wasn't allowed to sing for one and a half months."

No matter what the challenge, Ella's open mind saw her positive side shine. "Timor made me realise we've got a lot of work to do. Not everyone is living the great life we do. Meeting the people from East Timor was incredible and they're a zillionth of the people living in pretty shithouse lives."

The same attitude helped her recover from the operaion. "It was pretty horrible, but I just kept a positive outlook and knew it would be OK - well I told myself it would be OK. It'll take a long time to heal fully, but it's getting a lot better - I'm gigging again and my voice is good enough to go on the new album."

With so much growing up already done, the promise of a new album and stacks more media attention, Ella's second shoot to stardom is inevitable, except this time round she's all grown up.
"I think I know a little bit more about the business. I know what to expect from the industry and the media. I'm not so wide eyed - still really enthusiastic - but wiser. I think I know that there's good stuff about people and there's bullshit. You've got to stick to your guns."