Jessica Mauboy's Melbourne Cup no-show is not the first time the ARIA award winning singer has cancelled on the Victoria Racing Club.
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In 2013 the 26-year-old was booked to perform at the VRC's Beautiful Girls Fashion Lunch but cancelled at the last minute, with organisers having to call on Kate Ceberano to take the stage.
On Tuesday the This Ain't Love singer was photographed en route to Flemington but did not take the stage to perform Advance Australia Fair or appear in The Birdcage. The job was left to singer Nadia Aya who reportedly had less than a minute to prepare.
Reports that Mauboy's cancellation was a disagreement over her choice of shoes are unfounded, according to senior Myer executives.
Fairfax Media can confirm the VRC approved two different outfits for Mauboy ahead of the Melbourne Cup and she was wearing one of the two approved looks on the day, a fascinator by Nerida Winter and dress by designer Johnny Schembri. Both brands are carried exclusively by Myer.
On Wednesday afternoon the VRC was still seeking an explanation for her last minute absence despite her presence on course.
"The VRC can confirm that it supplied Jessica Mauboy with a mutually approved wardrobe and she undertook a full rehearsal of the planned performance on the eve of Emirates Melbourne Cup," a statement provided to Fairfax Media read.
"The Club has no details as to why Jessica Mauboy didn't perform and continues to seek clarification from her management."
Mauboy has since taken to social media to apologise for her absence.
"Thank you to everyone for all the messages of concern, I am OK," she posted on Facebook.
"I am so sorry I didn't perform at the Melbourne Cup yesterday, I was really looking forward to it and of all the days for things to go wrong, unfortunately this was the one. I am so sorry to everyone for the disappointment xxxx JM."
Her management have issued a statement saying the singer is "devastated that she disappointed fans and racegoers".
"There was a lot going on yesterday and there was miscommunication with her styling team, unfortunately by the time it was resolved the call time had been missed," it read.
Mauboy's stylist refused to be drawn on the situation when contacted by Fairfax Media, "I can't talk about it. No comment," he said.
Another Australian Idol alum cancelled a VRC booked appearance at the last minute on Wednesday when Guy Sebastian failed to attend the Oaks Day Lunch at Crown.
The Australian Idol winner turned X Factor judge was promoted as the entertainment for the popular event but missed his flight from Sydney, according to News Corp.
