On any dance floor in Australia on any given night, there are certain songs whose opening chords will strike an invigorating thrill directly into the hearts of even the weariest dancers. Among that list—alongside classics such as Tina Turner’s ‘Nutbush City Limits,’ Kylie Minogue’s ‘Can’t Get You Out of My Head’ and more recent bangers like Troye Sivan’s ‘Rush’—is an anthem that’s a great uniter of people of all genders, ages and musical tastes: ‘Untouched’ by The Veronicas.
Twins Jessica (Jess) and Lisa Origliasso released the euphoric track in 2007 as part of their breakout album, Hook Me Up. It was around that time that the sisters last appeared on a magazine cover, they tell me during our interview a few days before they’re set to shoot this cover story.
“I think the last cover we did was probably for Dolly magazine in 2006,” Jess says with a laugh. In the now 19-year-old image, the twins stand smiling adorned in colourful striped cotton mini dresses, wide belts and a giant red beaded necklace—looks that would transport any millennial back to the racks of Supré.
“That ’00s fashion was all about big wooden beads and thick leather belts,” Lisa says. There’s a nostalgic twinkle in their eyes as they reminisce about the ’00s. “Oh, yeah, I was obsessed with those thick leather belts worn low on the hip,” Jess says, laughing at the memory of an iconic look that defined the era in which the band rose to fame. That June 2006 Dolly cover features cover lines promoting posters of cute boys and the chance to “score a Neighbours contract”—a snapshot of a time before The Veronicas released Hook Me Up, which would ultimately be certified double platinum and catapult them into global pop stardom.
"We’ve spent so many years being The Veronicas. For at least the first ten to 12 years, it was 24/7. It was our identity. But when we had to step away from that role, it was a moment that really forced us to just be ourselves"
The following two decades would see them build a remarkable career with more than 2 million albums sold globally, and collaborations with legendary songwriters including Max Martin and Billy Steinberg. With multiplatinum certifications and iconic hits like ‘Untouched ‘and ‘4ever,’ they’ve solidified their place in pop history, even famously hosting the ARIAs in red glitter body paint.
Fast-forward to today: after a stint in LA, Jess and Lisa have returned to their Australian homes on the Gold Coast and the Northern Rivers, respectively. The twins have just celebrated their 40th birthday, and the big belts and side fringes have given way to a sleek sophistication and a deep, introspective energy. After 20 years in the industry as the high-energy persona The Veronicas, sitting in front of me are simply Jess and Lisa. Well, Jess and Lisa who are preparing for a tour with Cyndi Lauper (no biggie) in April.
For years, the dynamic duo—whose theatricality captivated fans worldwide—embodied their pop-star identities so fully that it became close to impossible, even for them, to separate the personal from the public. They explain that, for more than a decade, “Veronicas mode” was their default state, a full-time immersion in their career that left little room for anything else. “We’ve spent so many years being The Veronicas,” Lisa says. “For at least the first 10 to 12 years, it was 24/7. It was our identity. But when we had to step away from that role, it was a moment that really forced us to just be ourselves.”
The catalyst for this shift was profoundly personal. Their mother, Colleen, had been battling progressive supranuclear palsy, a rare and debilitating neurological condition; she would pass away in September 2021. “We had to be daughters, we had to be sisters. We had to be there for each other on a whole different life level,” Lisa says.
In the role of caregivers, Jess and Lisa were confronted by the uncomfortable pressure to nurture their identities beyond the spotlight. “We had to take on these other real-life roles,” Lisa says.
And in doing that, we’ve gone through so much of that in the last 10 years. Really being Jess and Lisa, going through life’s tough stuff.” Through this journey, they say they learnt the value of balance and self-care, understanding that their personal lives had to be as carefully tended as their careers. “We have this innate kill switch for anything that’s not 100% authentic,” Jess says, summing up their current outlook.
"Our upbringing very much [allowed us to] create larger than life characters. We were influenced by beautiful costumes and drama, cynical humour and queer-centric cinema and music"
As we talk, their admiration and love for their late mother is palpable. They credit her with encouraging them to pursue a liberated sense of creativity, having filled their youth with wideranging artistic inspiration. “Our upbringing very much [allowed us to] create larger-than-life characters,” says Jess. “We were influenced by beautiful costumes and drama, cynical humour and queer-centric cinema and music, and [it was impactful] having that really special, colourful place that was away from the heteronormative rules of society at that time in the ’90s.” Lisa adds, “Through our mum, we were exposed to a lot of queer arts, cinema, theatre, shows and artists that she loved. So when we came to write within The Veronicas, I think we’ve always written from a queer perspective.” Jess, who identifies as queer, agrees. “Lisa and I both had this innate thing inside of us where we won’t be shamed for something that is natural, and I attribute that to our upbringing, where we had such a free understanding of self-expression and a love of creativity.”
I learn that at the core of Jess and Lisa’s artistic evolution lies a profound and enduring connection to the LGBTQ+ community and queer culture – an influence that has not only shaped their music but has intricately woven itself into their creative philosophy. It’s little surprise that this influence reverberates throughout The Veronicas’ songs, establishing a lasting, almost familial bond with their queer fans. “Our relationship with the LGBTQ+ community has always been special,” Jess says, echoing the sentiment that this connection is not just incidental to their story, but the very essence of who they are as artists.
In the early years of their career, the twins found their musical voice within the underground queer spaces that they discovered on tour. Hook Me Up was an homage to the communities that shaped them. “We really wanted to create an album that felt like the underground queer club we were desperately looking for after our shows in 2006,” Jess says. This was a time when heinous tabloids were in their prime, well before inclusive social media spaces like QueerTok (the queer TikTok) and 11 years before same-sex marriage would be legalised in Australia. Jess didn’t feel the need to shout about her identity in her art. “I think by the time I had The Veronicas and I was coming out, I wasn’t overly conscious of needing to necessarily announce it,” she says. “I was really excited to explore it. I was a little, I suppose, naive, and I really didn’t care what anybody thought.”
"It's taken a lot of commitment and work to be able to reframe being empowered and taking control of that narrative for myself and not letting people dictate for me"
The years of public scrutiny of their bodies, however, hit harder. “Of all the things that impacted me personally, it would have been the talk around my body and my weight that was probably the most severe,” Jess says. “It’s taken a lot of commitment and work to be able to reframe being empowered and taking control of that narrative for myself and not letting people dictate [to] me.
“Everyone has a platform now,” she continues. “Back then, you had to be in the papers or the tabloids to a certain extent to get that many eyes on you, to have that many opinions being thrown at you. But today, with the internet and social media platforms, everyone’s open to it. But I love the way women are just really stepping up and speaking up for other women as well. It’s not just about speaking up for yourself—there’s a beautiful movement and community there.”
The public’s obsession with the musicians’ bodies—too much of this, too little of that—was a constant pressure they felt. But in the years since, the twins have found power in reclaiming control—even taking up weightlifting last year, Jess reveals. “It’s been incredibly liberating,” she says.
The Jess and Lisa of today aren’t simply musicians; they’re also businesswomen. Four years in the making, their beauty brand, Lemons, is set to launch in April. Born from the founders’ struggles with histamine intolerance and sensitive skin, the brand was created to address the lack of allergen-free, autoimmune-friendly makeup options.
“We both have histamine intolerance and sensitive immune responses. For years, we couldn’t find makeup that didn’t cause flare-ups,” Jess says. This frustration sparked their desire to create a line that would meet their needs and help others with similar issues. Lemons is more than a business venture for the sisters – it’s a purpose-driven project that aligns with their values of authenticity, health and empowerment. “It’s not just a celebrity makeup brand,” says Jess. “It’s something we believe in and are passionate about.” That much is immediately evident when Jess proudly shows me the brand’s first product—a chrome tube of peptide lip treatment—beaming like it’s her firstborn.
While as artists, the twins have always felt like “the product” themselves, with Lemons, they explain they have the unique opportunity to create the product – a concept that is empowering in a different way. Lemons represents a way to channel their entrepreneurial spirit, drawing on lessons from their music career while also making an impact on the beauty industry.
"Artists are told they’re ‘aged out’ after 30 and are unable to compete with the ever-changing social landscape"
When it comes to the music world, Jess and Lisa have concerns. “The Australian music industry is severely struggling right now,” Jess says, the frustration evident in her voice. While global markets including the US and UK continue to thrive, music festivals are being cancelled in Australia and local talent is relocating overseas. Jess points to the lack of infrastructure and opportunities, particularly for artists over 30, who are often pushed aside in a rapidly shifting industry. “Artists are told they’re ‘aged out’ after 30 and are unable to compete with the ever-changing social landscape,” she says of the barriers that hinder long-term careers in their home country.
This challenge is compounded by the structural differences between Australia and the global music giants. “In places like America and the UK there’s a foundation built to support artists and showcase their country’s musical legacy,” Jess says. “We just simply don’t have that infrastructure here.” She sees the lack of support as a fundamental flaw that stifles local talent and risks losing it. “The Australian music industry needs to create a patriotic support structure,” she argues, warning that without one, the national music economy could disappear altogether.
The sisters’ vision extends beyond their own music careers; they are deeply invested in the next generation. “Australian artists always stand out,” Lisa says. “It’s this punk spirit, something that’s just a little different, a little left of-centre.” The twins hope that nurturing this spirit and ensuring that local talent thrives is a crucial part of their legacy, even as their hearts remain in their music.
“We hope our music remains our legacy,” Jess says, her voice steady as she considers what has mattered most in their twodecade career. Lisa adds, “It’s not just about accolades, but the connections we’ve made through our music.”
“I hope that one day our fans hear our songs when they’re 85 and just think, ‘Those are some bad bitches'"
The idea that their songs are more than just chart toppers—that they’ve become emotional touchstones for a generation—resonates deeply with both of them. “I hope that one day our fans hear our songs when they’re 85 and just think, ‘Those are some bad bitches,’”Jess says with a grin. Yet the evolution of their profiles extends beyond their discography. “When we created The Veronicas and our personas and our stage personas, it was so different to Jess and Lisa,” Jess says. “I think we have reached this point in ourselves, in our lives, in our careers, where we want people to get to know Lisa and Jess, and we’re ready—we’re really ready for that.”
This article originally appeared in Issue 04 of Cosmopolitan Australia. Get your copy here to see the cover story in full—and much more!
Photographed by Harold David; Styled by Virginia Van Heytuysen; Makeup by Rae Morris; Hair by Gavin Anesbury.
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