SYDNEY—Guy Sebastian was rejected by numerous Australian artists for a ballad duet on his new album - before he scored US pop star Jordin Sparks.
Sebastian said he actually wrote the song, Art Of Love, the second single from his new album Like It Like That, with Sparks in mind, but never expected her to sign on.
"We thought we're not going to get her so let's try some local acts and I did, and everything fell over," Sebastian told AAP in Sydney on Wednesday.
"This was before we released Like It Like That (the first hit song from the album of the same name).
"It wasn't about the song, it was kind of like noone wanted to guest."
But instead of getting down about it, the 2003 Australian Idol winner said he decided to approach Sparks, the Grammy nominated former American Idol.
"Overnight she came back and she's like `I love the song, I really want to do it'," Sebastian said.
"I'm like `this is ridiculous, the last bloke she recorded with was Chris Brown and now some random Aussie guy', so it blew me away."
Sebastian, 27, is hoping Art Of Love emulates the success of the first track Like It Like That, which went to the top of the pop charts in Australia, and instilled Sebastian with confidence.
"I didn't expect it to do what it did, it's always gamble," Sebastian said.
"Especially releasing a first single, it'd been three years since I'd released a pop single.
"It's the biggest thing, I've released since Angels Brought Me Here, but to me that was a product of the show (Australian Idol) whereas this one just feels like it's a legitimate fun song that people have found, so it's just really given me so much confidence."
Sebastian also scored the talents of US musician John Mayer, who plays guitar on songs All To Myself, Fail to Mention and sings background vocals on Never Be You.
Perfection, which Sebastian wrote and performed for his wife Jules on their wedding day last year, is the final song on the album.
A pop album, with a slight Motown influence, Like It Like That, Sebastian's fifth album will be released on October 23.
His last album, the Motown offering The Memphis Album, was released two years ago.
