Coulter placed seventh in the second season of Australian Idol in 2004, and subsequently signed with independent label Shock Records.

Coulter briefly became a member of the Australian pop girl group Young Divas the following year, before resuming her solo career early in 2007.

Coulter's second studio album Brand New Day was released in August 2007, which peaked at number 37 and was certified gold.

Coulter's first compilation album Ricki-Lee: The Singles was released in November 2008, but failed to impact the charts.

Coulter ended her contract with Shock Records in 2011[5] and signed with major label EMI Music Australia.