LONG before she stood behind Australian music star Guy Sebastian as a backing vocalist, before recording her own songs and dreaming of releasing an album, Atelaite Ruci Tuiwai was a little girl standing beside her father in church.
Known in the music industry simply as RUCI, the Fiji-born singer’s musical journey began not under bright stage lights, but within the walls of the Methodist Church of Fiji, where her faith and music became inseparable.
“I started singing when I was three years old,” she said.
“My very first stage was at the Methodist Church of Fiji conference, where I sang with the choir led by my late father.”
Those early performances would lay the foundation for a career that has since taken her onto some of Australia’s biggest stages.
Yet despite the opportunities that have come her way, RUCI remains deeply connected to the values that shaped her childhood.
“I am from Lomaji, Kabara, in Lau, and share maternal links to Nadrala, Conua, Baravi in Nadroga,” she said.
“I have been living in Australia for the past 12 years, but Fiji will always be home.”
Her sense of identity extends far beyond geography.
“My identity is deeply rooted in my family, my faith and my vanua. Being iTaukei is more than just knowing where you come from; it is reflected in the values we carry through respect, humility, service and the responsibility of representing those who came before us.”
A childhood built on music
Much of RUCI’s childhood was spent along Fiji’s Coral Coast, where her late father served as a vakatawa (lay pastor) with the Methodist Church of Fiji for 16 years.
Those years were filled with church services, choir practices and family gatherings where music was part of everyday life.
“My father wasn’t just my dad, he was my mentor, my first music teacher and my biggest supporter,” she said.
“Music was part of our everyday life, and through him I learned that singing was never just about performing; it was about serving God and serving people.”
As she grew older, she found inspiration in the works of celebrated Fijian musicians, including Etuate Kautoga, better known as Eddie, whose choir compositions left a lasting impression.
She also admired legendary groups such as Black Rose, Waikoula kei Tavua and the traditional sigidrigi singing bands that remain central to many Fijian celebrations.
“What I love about Fijian music is the storytelling,” she said.
“The songs carry stories of families, villages, ancestry, relationships and traditions passed down through generations.”
That tradition of storytelling continues to influence the kind of artist she hopes to become.
Music finds its way back
Like many young people, RUCI considered different paths as she grew older.
For a time, she questioned whether music would become more than something she simply loved.
“People often say, ‘Your talent is your bread,’ and for a long time I wondered what that really meant,” she said.
“As I grew older, I realised that no matter what I studied or what career path I considered, music always found its way back to me.”
She credits fellow members of the Sydney-based Fijian band Oz Fijian Vibez for encouraging her to embrace her gift.
“The team constantly encouraged me to value the gift God had given me not only because I could sing, but because of the impact music can have on people’s lives.”
That encouragement strengthened her resolve to continue serving through music, whether as a worship leader, choir member or recording artist.
Today, her growing list of musical achievements includes her debut gospel single Me’u muri ga, which she co-composed and recorded with Lesaa.
She has also featured with VLY on the remake of the classic Fijian song O Nadroga okwe kodaki o Amerika and collaborated with the Domo ni Cakau group on Sevataki dina sara, a remake of the Black Rose classic.
“Each opportunity has taught me something different and continues to shape me as a musician and as a person,” she said.
An unexpected opportunity
One of the defining moments of RUCI’s career came without warning.
She received a message asking whether she would be interested in joining the backing vocal team for Guy Sebastian’s Australian tour.
Everything happened within days.
“From receiving that message, to rehearsals, meeting Guy for the first time and then stepping onto the stage only a few days later,” she said.
“Even now, I still look back at that moment and think, ‘Wow.’”
Touring with Guy Sebastian became one of the defining moments of RUCI’s career, but it was not the sold-out venues or the applause that left the greatest impression.
Instead, it was the Australian singer’s humility.
“The first thing that stood out to me about Guy was his humility,” she said.
“Despite his experience and success, he was always kind, appreciative and intentional about acknowledging the people around him.”
She recalled how, before every show, Sebastian would gather the team together to pray before sharing words of encouragement.
“Watching him taught me a lot about professionalism, attention to detail and respect for everyone involved in a production.
Coming from a choir background, she said she had always understood that music was about becoming one voice rather than standing out as an individual.
That experience has since influenced the way she approaches her own music.
“Being in the background does not mean being less important,” she said.
“Standing beside others and becoming one voice can be just as powerful as standing in front alone.”
Songs with purpose
Faith continues to be at the heart of RUCI’s music.
Whether writing her own songs or choosing music to perform, she says the message is always more important than the melody.
“My songwriting is usually inspired by my faith, the seasons I’ve gone through, my personal experiences, my family and the stories I see in the lives of others,” she said.
Her debut gospel single, Me’u muri ga, came from one of the most difficult periods of her life following the death of an aunt she regarded as a second mother.
Later, the loss of her father reshaped not only her life but also the way she viewed music.
“There were moments where music became difficult, and I felt myself stepping away from it,” she said.
Even in grief, one lesson from her father remained with her.
“‘While my hands can still work and my feet can still move, I have no excuse in praising God,” she said.
Those words continue to guide her both on and off the stage.
Representing Fiji wherever she goes
Although she has lived in Australia for the past 12 years, RUCI says Fiji remains central to her identity.
Every performance, she believes, is an opportunity to represent not only herself but also her family, village and country.
“Whenever I step onto a stage, I carry my family, my village, my ancestors and the community that has helped shape me,” she said.
“I hope people see more than just a singer. I hope they see the heart of Fijians, the talent, creativity, hospitality and willingness to serve.”
She believes Fijian music has a unique ability to preserve stories and traditions.
Looking ahead
RUCI is now working towards releasing her first album while continuing to grow as a songwriter and musician.
Although she is open to collaborating with artists from around the world, one name sits high on her wish list.
“If there was one artist I would love the opportunity to work alongside, it would be Jessica Mauboy,” she said.
“More than anything I’m excited about working with people who have a heart to create meaningful music and inspire others.”
She also has a message for aspiring singers in Fiji hoping to follow their own dreams.
“Learn your craft and never stop being teachable,” she said.
“Beyond having a good voice, your character matters just as much. Be humble, reliable, respectful, punctual and willing to work well with others.”
Looking back on her own journey, RUCI describes it in three words: obedience, refining and unexpected.
Each one reflects a different season of her life, from singing as a child in church, to navigating loss, to performing on international stages she never imagined reaching.
“If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that God’s timing is always perfect,” she said.
“Keep serving, keep preparing and trust the process. Sometimes your waiting season becomes the sweetest season because it’s where God prepares you for opportunities you never imagined.”
For RUCI, success has never been measured solely by the stages she has stood on or the people she has performed alongside. Instead, it is found in remaining true to the values that shaped her from childhood.
Wherever music takes her next, she intends to carry a piece of Fiji with her.
Australian singer, songwriter and record producer, Guy Sebastian (centre) with his team of backing vocalists’ including RUCI, far right. Picture: SUPPLIED
One of the defining moments of RUCI’s career was receiving a message asking whether she would be interested in joining the backing vocal team for Guy Sebastian’s Australian tour. Picture: SUPPLIED
According to RUCI, before every show, Sebastian would gather the team together to pray before sharing words of encouragement to them. Picture: SUPPLIED
Right: Ruci with her mum.
Picture: SUPPLIED
Ruci with her parents. Picture: SUPPLIED
Ruci’s journey reflects different seasons of her life, from singing as a child in church, to navigating loss, to performing on international stages she never imagined reaching. Picture: SUPPLIED
