Tina Arena is an iconic Australian singer, known for hits including Chains and Burn.
Hailing from Melbourne, the hitmaker, 56, first burst onto the scene on Young Talent Time at the age of eight.
Today, Arena is one of Australia’s highest-selling female artists.
READ MORE: The iconic supermodels of the ’90s: Then and now
The ARIA Hall of Fame member has 13 studio albums under her belt, three of which are in French. The singer, who is of Italian descent, lived in France for over a decade.
Earlier this week, Arena gave fans a health update after being forced to postpone her Australian and UK shows due to being unwell.
The singer shared a video on Instagram on Monday as she decorated a Christmas tree and assured fans she was “getting much better” after a difficult few months.
9Honey Celebrity takes a look back at Arena’s incredible career over the years and what she’s up to now.
READ MORE: What happened to Cameron Diaz?
What is Tina Arena’s real name?
Arena was born in November 1967 in Melbourne to Italian parents and named Filippina Lydia Arena. She was known as Pina to her loved ones.
She is believed to have changed her name to her stage name for Young Talent Time.
How did Tina become famous?
Arena began her stint on Young Talent Time at the age of eight.
She appeared on the program from 1974 to 1983, making her the longest-serving cast member of all time.
“Saying goodbye to [host] Johnny [Young] was like saying goodbye to my father,” said Arena, who left the show just before her 16th birthday.
“He had tears in his eyes. He’s like a second dad to me. He’s always been very honest. He’s told me things I want to hear and he’s also told me things over the years that I don’t want to hear, but in a beautifully protective way. He’s an honourable man.”
READ MORE: Inside Hugh Grant’s complicated family life
Young Talent Time cast: Then and now
What happened to Tina Arena?
Arena left Young Talent Time and went on to launch a successful solo career – but it didn’t come without its challenges.
Her debut single came in her teens when she released Turn Up the Beat in 1985, but it didn’t really take off or have much commercial success.
“As soon as I stepped off that stage, I knew that my world would never be the same again, that a part of me would never be protected like that again. And I was right,” Arena told Mamamia’s Extraordinary Stories podcast.
Arena’s second studio album Strong as Steel came out in 1990 and she released Don’t Ask in 1994.
“The struggle was real to me because all of a sudden, I wanted to be accepted as an adult performer and I didn’t really accept the fact that there really was a process that I had to go through in order to get to that place,” she added on the podcast.
“I was rather impatient.”
Don’t Ask is one of her most successful albums which produced hits including Chains, Sorrento Moon (I Remember) and Heaven Help My Heart.
Arena said in her 40s, most radio stations stopped playing her songs.
“I hated the fact I hit 40 and radio wouldn’t play me,” she told The Guardian.
“I think it’s bulls–t. I don’t get it… Someone of a certain age and certain experience and certain gender is no longer relevant – says fucking who?”
READ MORE: Star celebrates birthday milestone with help from Taylor Swift
Arena recently relocated back to Melbourne after spending more than a decade in France, although there’s conflicting reports on the exact year she moved overseas.
She’s had considerable success in France and released three French albums.
“The French get me because I’m Latin, I have that feisty thing they totally comprehend,” she previously told The Sydney Morning Herald.
“The difference with Australia is that the Anglo-Saxon culture is not programmed to be ignited by that.
“Somebody who is passionate and fiery in Australia, they call you pretentious or arrogant or a bit of a diva. But can you tell me what is diva-ish about somebody who is passionate?”
Who was Tina Arena married to?
Arena was previously married to her manager, Ralph Carr, from 1995 to 1999.
Now, she’s happily partnered with French artist Vincent Mancini, who she met in 2000 while living in France after the breakdown of her first marriage. The pair share son Gabriel, 18.
“I’ve been living with the most beautiful man for the past 17 years who has taught me about love, who’s taught me about respect, who’s taught me about self-worth, and the beautiful simplistic things in life,” she previously told Mamamia.
She said on 60 Minutes: “It was one of those things that happen in life. You meet someone, and you know, and you just get along like a house on fire, and you feel like you’ve known each other all your lives.
“And it was beyond the looks, a spiritual thing.”
READ MORE: The stars of Die Hard: Then and now
Aussie celebs at the beginning of their career vs. now
What is Tina Arena doing now?
Arena released her memoir Now I Can Dance back in 2013.
She released her 13th studio album Love Saves this year, which debuted at no.2 on the ARIA Charts and was nominated for an ARIA.
Why did she cancel her world tour?
Arena was recently forced to postpone her Australian and UK shows due to being unwell.
The Australian singer, 56, shared a video on Instagram on Monday as she decorated a Christmas tree and assured fans she was “getting much better” after a difficult few months.
”Just wanted to wish everybody a very Merry Christmas. It’s been an interesting year, lots going on. Health wasn’t great, but it’s getting much better,” Arena said in the clip.
The Chains singer thanked fans for well-wishes and added: “I’m getting much better, but I hope all of you are doing well.”
“It’s tough with stuff that’s going on in the world today, but I hope everyone finds some peace and joy this Christmas. I’m sending you lots and lots of lots of love. I’ll see you next year.”
Just two months ago, Arena cancelled the UK leg of her Love Saves world tour shortly after postponing her Australian shows.
An email was sent out to ticketholders of the London concert, which was to be held in Union Chapel on November 24, stating that, “Unfortunately the event has been CANCELLED.”
A statement from Arena was added in the email, where she says the cancellation was a “tremendously difficult decision”, apologising for the last minute cancellation.
For a daily dose of 9Honey, subscribe to our newsletter here
“I understand the disappointment you feel, because I feel it too. Performing live is one of my favourite things in the world – I love to see your smiling faces in the crowd as we spend precious moments together surrounded by love and the healing power of music.
READ MORE: Why Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz are haunted by their wedding day
She hinted towards health issues causing the last-minute cancellation.
“As much as I wanted to soldier on, I realised that the biggest gift I can give you all is to honour my body and prioritise my healing. So when I do return to the stage, I’ll be bringing you the best of me. You deserve nothing less.”
The singer has also cancelled her dates for the US, Canada, and Paris, and has postponed the dates for her Australian show after performing just one show that was the official start of her world tour.