Sophie Monk

Sophie Charlene Akland Monk (born 14 December 1979) is an Australian singer, actress, television personality, and model.

In 1982 her parents moved to Australia's Gold Coast in Queensland when she was two years old.

She attended Helensvale Primary School, St Hilda's, Somerset College, A. B. Paterson College and MacGregor State High School, where she graduated as school captain in 1997.

She was trained in classical opera growing up.

Following graduation, Monk worked as a Marilyn Monroe impersonator at Warner Bros. Movie World on the Gold Coast.

Monk's professional music career began in 1999 when she responded to an advertisement at the recommendation of her mother which requested girls with vocal and dance experience.

The advertisement was for an Australian reality television series, Popstars, a TV talent show which aimed to create a successful new girl group.

In one audition, she performed a rendition of Marilyn Monroe's famous "Happy Birthday, Mr. President", working on her previous experience as a Monroe impersonator.

After numerous rounds of singing and dancing workshops, Monk was selected as a member of the group, which was named Bardot.

Bardot became the first Australian act to debut at the No. 1 position with both its debut single, "Poison", and self-titled debut album.

Further singles "I Should've Never Let You Go" and "These Days" followed and in August, the group embarked on its first national tour.

She was a member of the pop girl group Bardot, winners of the first season of Popstars Australia in 2000, and later released a solo album titled Calendar Girl (2003).

Bardot performed at the 2000 ARIA Awards at which they were nominated in three categories.

In July 2001, the group released "ASAP", the first single from their second album.

Bardot now had more control over their music and image.

The single peaked Top 5, as did follow-up single, "I Need Somebody", their most successful single since "Poison".

The second album, Play It Like That debuted at No. 16, achieving gold status.

Monk co-wrote the album track "Feel Right" with bandmate Sally Polihronas.

In 2002, final single, "Love Will Find A Way" completed Bardot's string of consecutive Top 20 hits and the group embarked on its second national tour.

In May, the group disbanded.

In 2002, Monk signed a recording contract with Warner Music Australia and started working on a solo album.

The first single "Inside Outside" was released in October 2002 and was produced by Grammy Award winning music producer Rob Davis.

Monk performed the song at the 2002 The Footy Show Grand Finale to promote the single.

The track peaked at No. 5 on the ARIA Singles Chart and went on to sell over 35,000 copies worldwide.

Her next single, "Get the Music On", peaked at No. 10 on the ARIA Singles Chart.

On 5 May 2003 Monk released her debut album Calendar Girl which peaked at No. 35 on the ARIA Albums Chart.

The album received mixed reviews from critics with Monk co-writing four of the album's tracks.

Following the release of the album Monk released her third and final single, "One Breath Away", which peaked at No. 23 on the ARIA Singles Chart.

In 2004, Monk parted ways with Warner Music Group.

In 2004, Monk made her acting debut in a bit role on the Nine Network made-for-television film The Mystery of Natalie Wood portraying the role of Marilyn Monroe.

That same year, Monk appeared in the music video Always by Pop Punk band Blink-182.

Monk has had small roles in films such as Click, Murder World and Spring Break '83.

In 2005, Monk relocated to Los Angeles, California to pursue a career in acting.

She has appeared in various films, including Date Movie (2006), Click (2006), Sex and Death 101 (2007), The Hills Run Red (2009), and Spring Breakdown (2009).

On reality television, Monk was the winner of the fourth season of The Celebrity Apprentice Australia in 2015, and in 2016, she was a judge on Australia's Got Talent.

In 2017, she starred on the third season of The Bachelorette Australia, and the following year, she became the host of Love Island Australia.

In 2021, Monk began hosting Beauty and the Geek Australia and became a regular guest panelist on The Hundred with Andy Lee.

Sophie Monk was born in London, England to an English father and an Australian mother.

In April 2017, Monk performed with country singer Kasey Chambers at Byron Bay Bluesfest.

She has expressed interest in releasing country music in the future.