Sophie Monk

Sophie Monk
Monk in April 2011
Background information
Birth name	Sophie Charlene Akland Monk
Born	14 December 1979 (1979-12-14) 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 pop singer, actress and model. Monk was a member of female pop group Bardot and released a solo album Calendar Girl. She has appeared in films such as Date Movie and Click.

Career

Bardot

Main article: Bardot (band)

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 #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 #16, achieving gold status. Monk co-wrote the album track "Feel Right" with fellow 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.

Acting career

Monk in an advertisement for PETA

Monk began appearing in films after Bardot disbanded. She appeared in a minor role as Marilyn Monroe for a high-budget telemovie The Mystery Of Natalie Wood (2004), and she was in the music video "Always" for rock group blink-182.

In 2005 Monk portrayed Andy in the spoof comedy Date Movie. Filming took place in Los Angeles, California in late 2005 and the film was released on 17 February 2006. The film stars Alyson Hannigan and Jennifer Coolidge. Despite negative reviews, the film was a box office success earning worldwide $84,795,656. She also appeared in the Adam Sandler comedy Click portraying Stacey, a flirtatious, bimbo secretary whom Monk described in an interview as "... kind of a floozy that kind of just works there because she gets around a bit. Another serious character".

In 2007 Monk made her American television debut in the HBO comedy series Entourage in the episode "The Day Fuckers". She also had a role portraying Cynthia Rose in Sex and Death 101.

In 2006 she was cast to play the villain Mason Masters in Warner Premiere's Spring Breakdown. Monk describes her character as "... the head of the evil girls. I'm like the evil bitch that everyone wants to be like and they all end up hating her". The film suffered a long post-production period due to distribution problems. The film, originally set for a cinematic release, was released to DVD on 16 January 2009 to mixed reviews.

In September 2008 Dark Castle Entertainment announced Monk was to portray Alexa in The Hills Run Red. Filming took place towards the start of 2009 in Sofia, Bulgaria. The film premiered at UK Frightfest, a horror film festival. The film was released straight-to-DVD on 29 September 2009.

In 2009 Monk announced to MTV Australia she has signed on for the comedy film Spring Break '83 portraying Brittney. Filming took place in March 2009 in Los Angeles. The film stars Jamie Kennedy, Raviv Ullman and John Goodman. A preview premiered at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival. The film suffered salary issues and distribution problems and is not yet released.

In 2007 Monk signed on for the indie horror film Murder World portraying Brooke. The film stars Scout Taylor-Compton. The film has suffered in development with numerous pushbacks and distribution problems. The film was announced to be picked up by Lionsgate for a worldwide distribution deal. The film would be later retitled Life Blood. The film was released straight-to-DVD on 27 April 2010.

Monk appeared alongside Cameron Richardson in the indie comedy Hard Breakers portraying Lindsay Greene. Filming took place in 2009 in Los Angeles. She also portrayed Princess Ellen in the National Lampoon comedy The Legend of Awesomest Maximus.

Personal life

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. At MacGregor State High School,she was a School Captain in her senior year (1997), and was enlisted in the school's CAD (Center of Artistic Development) Program.

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. 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."

In February 2010, Monk was photographed in a wheelchair following a car crash in Los Angeles.

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. Sophie was placed 96th place for 2011 Maxim's hot 100.

On 7 March 2011, Monk announced on Chelsea Lately that she had separated from fiancé, Jimmy Esebag and was single.

Filmography

Film

Year	Film	Role	Notes
2004	The Mystery of Natalie Wood	Marilyn Monroe	TV movie
2005	Pool Guys	Janet	TV movie
2005	London	Lauren	Worldwide Gross: $20,361
2006	Date Movie	Andy	Worldwide Gross: $84,795,656
2006	Click	Stacey	Worldwide Gross: $237,681,299
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

Music video

Year	Music Video	Artist	Role
2004	"Always"	Blink-182	Love interest

External links

• sophiemonk.com.au
• sophie-monk.net
• Sophie Monk at the Internet Movie Database
• Hardbreakers official site