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DELTA Goodrem's ARIA dream blossomed into an emotional reality last night as tears and awards flooded her evening.
The 18-year-old, who is currently undergoing a rigorous regime of cancer treatment, cleaned up at the 17th annual awards fest for Australia's music industry, falling one short of the record of eight gongs in a night with seven of her own.
The record is held by Savage Garden, although Delta did spoil one of their records this week when her album Innocent Eyes topped the charts for its 20th seven-day stretch, one more than the Garden managed.
It was perhaps fitting that former frontman, Darren Hayes, was the man responsible for truly honouring Delta on the night.
He paid tribute to the young star with his own rendition of her No.1 Lost Without You and as his final note echoed to the upper echelons of the Sydney Superdome, Delta could no longer contain herself.
It was in that moment the events of the past 12 months hit home, and she applauded before breaking down in tears at her table, where she sat pretty in pink, her Lisa Ho-styled gown fit for a princess.
"I thought I was doing so well but as soon as he sang that song I just lost it," she said.
"He is such an amazing artist and it's just such an honour to be here and it was a privilege to watch."
Delta had just struggled through another acceptance speech, emotions getting the better of her as she became all too aware that her dream to be at the ARIAs as the star rather than the gazer was complete.
"Last year I was watching with the same people - my family - and I was thinking 'next year, I've just got to work a bit harder'," she said backstage.
"So to actually be here and see all the fans and people in the industry ... it's just amazing. There are so many great artists here - Amiel and Powderfinger - and it's just great to be one of them myself."
Asked why she thought her music had touched so many people, Delta turned up a predictable but utterly believable response.
"You just try to tap into yourself and identify who you are and hope that it connects with people," she said.
Having spent the past 12 months shooting up the charts after establishing her fame through Neighbours, her heady success was cruelly countered by the crushing news of cancer earlier this year. Delta, it's clear, has a story as unique at it is full of inspiration.
But her aim now is to step away from the glare of the spotlight and concentrate on returning herself to full health, as tough and frustrating as it will be.
"I am sitting here tonight looking at everybody and I can't wait to get back into it. But you have to look after your health or you don't have anything," she said.
"It's been a very interesting journey this past little while."
Delta turns 19 in a few days' time, but will spend her birthday and the months thereafter in private rehabilitation. She is likely to be out of the public eye for at least six months.
Her parting gift was a message not only for her fans, but everybody who has been following her incredible story.
"You have been wonderful to me," she beamed upon leaving. "I appreciate that so much."
