Creativity, culture and belonging: Dami Im

Join us in this series that explores the intersection of creativity, culture and belonging with Queenslanders who are making their mark in the world.

We begin with Dami Im, the recent 2026 QMusic Awards (QMAs) Jazz category winner. She’s an artist whose journey reflects her rich cultural identity, and the transformative role creativity has played in shaping her sense of belonging.

Dami Im burst onto the national stage back in 2013, when she took home The X Factor Australia crown. Three years later, she made history as the highest-ever-ranking Australian performer in the Eurovision Song Contest.

But winning the Jazz category at the 2026 QMAs for her single Bubble sees the pop icon return to her roots.

“It was really special being at the QMusic Awards. Getting the Jazz category was especially [nice] as that’s how I started my career,” Dami says. “I [started out] singing at jazz clubs, getting my experience as a performer in jazz and piano.”

She says she’s at a stage of her career now where she has more autonomy over her musical direction. And that jazz is the genre she feels most comfortable performing and expressing herself in.

But it’s been a long road to find that space.

The balance between two identities

“Growing up I really felt like an outsider. And being an introvert too, I didn’t know where I could contribute,” she says.

“As an immigrant, it always felt like I was living in between two different identities and floating between not being fully Korean or feeling fully Australian.”

When she first appeared on The X Factor, she realised that many people from immigrant backgrounds felt the same way.

“Even my friends from my community were saying, ‘we’re really happy for you, but we don’t think you’re going to win—that doesn’t happen to people from our backgrounds’.”

“When I won, people were so happy. Even like, tradies were saying ‘hey, yeah I’m Korean like Dami’.”

She’s drawn on some of that tension—of finding her place in the world—to colour her songwriting. And since becoming a mother, her perspective has shifted again. Her last album, called In Between, drew heavily on those themes.

Her move back into jazz has been part of the process of learning to be more comfortable in herself.

It’s why being recognised with an award from her home state, in the genre she feels most at ease, is extra special.

Speaking from Sydney, where she was rehearsing to perform at an ANZAC Ceremony at the Sydney Opera House, she says she’s now able to fully own her identity. And that helping to increase visibility for other immigrants, especially Asian Australians, feels like a bit of “a calling”.

“I love being able to use my platform to demonstrate that we’re all from different places and different walks of life, but we’re part of the same community.

“Now I’m a mum, I want my kids to be able to feel like they can really contribute to Australian society and not just be stuck on the outskirts.”

Commitment to connecting communities

Developing a sense of belonging for everyone who calls Queensland home does not happen by chance—it is built through intentional action and shared responsibility.

The Queensland Government is committed to improving outcomes for people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds by building safe, caring and connected communities.

Through the Department of Women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships and Multiculturalism, Multicultural Affairs Queensland delivers opportunities to help build a more inclusive Queensland.

To learn more, subscribe to Multicultural Affairs Queensland’s latest news.