De Vito first came to fame in 2003 for her role on the extraordinarily popular reality music show, Australian Idol.

She knocked out Paulini Curuenavuli to place amongst the top three contestants, with eventual winner Guy Sebastian and runner-up Shannon “Nollsy” Noll.

There were many barracking for De Vito’s triumph, including Idol judge Ian “Dicko” Dickson, who claimed that she would win.

Millions were shocked when at the final hurdle, De Vito quit the competition due to developing soft nodules in her throat.

While public outcry condemned the move as a “publicity stunt”, De Vito explained that her illness was real and it was necessary to put her health above it all.

“You do not sing with nodules because it can lead to surgery and your voice is never the same,” she said recently on Instagram, in response to Mark Holden’s comment that under public speculation she “shrivelled and cracked”.

“So Mark Holden, no I did not crumble under the lights. I am a fighter but I'm also a realist. My health will always come before fame and career,” she retorted.

And so it should.

De Vito went on to acclaimed musical success following her stint on Australian Idol, releasing her first album Cosima in 2004, which achieved gold certified status.

This was followed by 2007’s This Is Now.

Both albums were released independently, after a brief period out of the lime-light while her voice was in recovery.

De Vito told La Fiamma that her decision to go full forward as an independent artist was the best she ever made.

She cited well-known influences such as Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, and the more contemporary Adele.

But she is also influenced by Italian music and heritage.

Her grandfather was an Italian tenor from Puglia who sang Neapolitan folk songs and opera, and she “grew up listening to him sing”.

The singer emphasised her on-going love for Neapolitan music.

She named Andrea Boccelli, the world famous Italian opera tenor, as a much-loved artist, alongside Italian operatic pop trio, Il Volo.

When queried, De Vito insisted that she does not tire of speaking about her time on Australian Idol, despite it being so long ago.

She said that that time for her was the birth of her music career.

“It was a very important time for me; I learnt a lot about myself because of show pressure,” she added.

“You’re on stage performing and being judged.

“It really teaches you about your strength and resilience.”

De Vito is currently performing and teaching singing to students.

She also has a new baby girl, Amelia, born in January to her and husband Gus De Romanis.

About her daughter, De Vito said: “She loves music. Every time I sing, she smiles!”

The couple are uncertain whether she’ll be a singer herself, given that she is still only squealing.

De Vito will perform at Brisbane’s Festitalia with her band, The Giovanotti.

“We’re going to be doing all Italian songs,” she declared happily.

“I love doing festivals. There’s a great feeling of community spirit that comes with it.

“And I love performing in Italian language, because it’s such a passionate language!”

Cosima De Vito will perform at Brisbane’s Festitalia on Sunday, October 14.

To get your tickets, visit Festitalia's website.