Sophie Monk
| Sophie Monk | |
|---|---|
Monk in April 2011 |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Sophie Charlene Akland Monk |
| Born | 14 December 1979 England, UK |
| Origin | Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia |
| Genres | Pop, dance |
| Occupations | Singer, songwriter, actress, model |
| Years active | 1999–present |
| Labels | Warner Music (2000–2004) |
| Associated acts | Bardot, Benji Madden |
| Website | Official website |
Sophie Charlene Akland Monk (born 14 December 1979) is a London-born Australian singer, model and actress. Monk was a member of the girl group Bardot and released a solo album called Calendar Girl. She appeared in films such as Date Movie, Click, and Spring Breakdown.
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Early life [edit]
Monk was born in England, but her parents moved to Australia's Gold Coast in Queensland. She also spent time at A. B. Paterson College and MacGregor State High School,[1] where she was a School Captain in her senior year (graduating in 1997) and was enlisted in the school's CAD (Centre of Artistic Development) Program.[2]
Music [edit]
Bardot [edit]
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 at Warner Bros. Movie World. 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. 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.
Solo album [edit]
In 2002, Monk signed a recording contract with Warner Music Australia and started working on a solo album.[citation needed] 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 albums 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.
In June 2007, Monk recorded a cover of "Push It" by Hip-Hop trio Salt-n-Pepa. The cover was recorded to promote Biofit Bra by Pleasure State which she is a spokeswoman for and was produced by her then boyfriend Benji Madden.[citation needed] Monk performed the song at a Biofit Bra launch in Catalina, Rose Bay. A promotional video was filmed and premiered as part of the add campaign.[citation needed]
Acting [edit]
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 Punk Rock 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. Monk quickly landed her break-out role in the spoof comedy film Date Movie. In July 2007, Monk made her American television debut in the HBO Comedy series Entourage. That same year she appeared in the dark comedy Sex and Death 101.
Monk starred in the Warner Premiere comedy film Spring Breakdown alongside Parker Posey and Amy Poehler. Filming took place in South Padre in 2006. Monk portrayed the role of the films antagonist a bimbo sorority girl named Mason. The film underwent a long post-production period suffering distribution problems. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival to negative reviews. The film was released straight-to-DVD in June 2009.
In August 2008, Monk was offered $1 million to pose for Playboy,[3] which she declined.[4]
In September 2008, Dark Castle Entertainment announced Monk was cast in the slasher horror film The Hills Run Red. Filming began at the start of 2009 in Sofia, Bulgaria and premiered at UK Frightfest. The film was released straight-to-DVD in September 2009 to mixed reviews from critics with some praising Monk's performance. In September 2008, Monk announced she was developing her own reality television series titled Bigger Than Paris. Monk filmed the pilot in January 2010 in Los Angeles, California. The pilot was not picked up.
In April 2010, Nine Network announced Monk would be a special guest presenter on the travel television program Getaway. Following her first appearance Nine announced Monk would continue appearing on the series in a recurring form from then on. As part of her role Monk has visited Hawaii, Las Vegas, Mexico.
In May 2012, Monk was announced to be one of the celebrities to have signed up for the FOX dating-show The Choice. The series is a spin-off to The Voice (TV series) and sees celebrity judges sitting with their backs turned to a pool of "sexy singles" hoping to score a date with a celebrity. Celebrities such as Carmen Electra, Joe Jonas and Pauly D have appeared in the show. The series premiered on 7 June 2012.[5]
Personal life [edit]
Monk started dating Benji Madden in 2006, but in January 2008, media outlets reported that the couple had split up. Monk had returned to Australia alone, almost a year to the day since Madden proposed.[6] On 12 February 2008, it was announced by Monk's Sydney agent, Yoon Kim, that "Sophie and Benji have officially split. The decision was mutual and they remain amicable."[7]
In February 2010, Monk was photographed in a wheelchair following a car crash in Los Angeles.[8]
On 25 January 2011, Monk announced her engagement to boyfriend Jimmy Esebag, chairman of America's Licensing Holding Group. She announced the news on radio during the Kyle and Jackie O show on 104.1 Today FM while temporarily filling in as host for Jackie O.[9] Sophie was placed 96th place for 2011 Maxim's hot 100.[10]
On 7 March 2011, Monk announced on Chelsea Lately that she had separated from Esebag and was single.[11] In 2013, Sophie revealed that she definitely is dating avatar actor 'Sam Worthington' via the Australian radio show ' Fifi and Jules' which Sophie is filling in for co host Fifi Box.
Filmography [edit]
- Film
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | The Mystery of Natalie Wood | Marilyn Monroe | TV movie |
| 2005 | Pool Guys | Janet | TV movie |
| 2005 | London | Lauren | |
| 2006 | Date Movie | Andy | |
| 2006 | Click | Stacey | |
| 2008 | Sex and Death 101 | Cynthia Rose | |
| 2009 | Spring Breakdown | Mason | |
| 2009 | The Hills Run Red | Alexa | |
| 2010 | Spring Break '83 | Brittany | |
| 2010 | Murder World | Brooke | |
| 2010 | The Legend of Awesomest Maximus | Princess Ellen | |
| 2010 | Hard Breakers | Lindsay Greene | |
| 2011 | Dorfman | Vronka |
- Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Popstars | Herself / Contestant | Series One Winner |
| 2007 | Entourage | Juliette | 1 episode: The Day Fuckers |
| 2010 | Getaway | Herself / Reporter | 6 episodes |
| 2011 | Talkin' 'Bout Your Generation | Herself / Contestant | 1 episode |
| 2012 | The Choice | Herself / Contestant | 1 episode |
| 2013 | Live From Mt Richmore | Herself / Host | TBA |
- Music video
| Year | Music Video | Artist |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | "Always" | Blink-182 |
References [edit]
- ^ Somerset Lifetimes, May 2003
- ^ Gregalach 1997
- ^ http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/movies/playboy-offers-monk-1m-to-bare-all/story-e6frfmvr-1111117267793
- ^ http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/lifestyle/sunday-magazine/sophie-monk-men-get-in-my-way/story-e6frf039-1226122204004
- ^ http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/television/aussie-sophie-monk-out-to-find-love-on-dating-show-the-choice/story-e6frfmyi-1226351998275#ixzz1y2lgMR2l
- ^ "Sophie Monk and Benji Madden split up". DailyTelegraph.com.au. 7 January 2008.
- ^ Sullivan, Mike (13 February 2008). "Sophie Monk splits from Good Charlotte's Benji Madden". Herald Sun. Retrieved 15 May 2010.
- ^ "Sophie Monk in wheelchair after car collision in Los Angeles". The Daily Telegraph. 19 February 2010. Retrieved 15 May 2010.
- ^ "Sophie Monk announces her engagement". The Age. 25 January 2011. Retrieved 25 January 2011.
- ^ Maxim Staff (3 May 2011). "2011 Hot 100". Maxim. Retrieved 9 July 2011.
- ^ "Sophie Monk Calls Off Engagement". 7 March 2011.
External links [edit]
| Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Sophie Monk |
- sophiemonk.com.au
- sophie-monk.net
- Sophie Monk at the Internet Movie Database
- Hardbreakers official site
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- 1979 births
- Living people
- Bardot members
- Australian female singers
- Australian film actresses
- Australian pop singers
- Australian people of English descent
- Australian expatriate actresses in the United States
- Musicians from Queensland
- People educated at MacGregor State High School
- 21st-century Australian actresses
- Participants in American reality television series