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Tina Arena, she has something special. Born in Melbourne in 1967, she has this unique mix, a hint of Italy thanks to her Sicilian origins and an immense Australian talent. It’s fascinating to see how this “young” girl from the past has transformed into an international icon.
I must admit, her age, 56 years, not only gives her a certain wisdom but also incredible energy. While you might think she’s settled down peacefully, bam! She is preparing a French tour in 2026. Crazy!
Her story begins very early, at only seven years old, when she started on Aussie TV. For someone who grew up away from the spotlight, it’s impressive to see the consistency in her career. No luck, just hard work.
What I love about Tina is her ability to adapt, to learn French by singing phonetically without ever faltering. She is agile, passionate, and has this simplicity that charms.
Tina Arena, the artist at the heart of a passionate and international career
So, who really is Tina Arena? She is Filippina Lydia Arena, but it’s Tina everyone knows. Her age, 56 years, speaks to a solid and well-filled career. Melbourne, her hometown, she often returns there, even if her tours have taken her far away. Originally from a Sicilian family, she grew up in a quiet suburb where her taste for music quickly emerged.
I find it crazy to think that Tina, so “young” at the start, was already a pro on stage with the show Young Talent Time. Imagine living that as a child! The stage, the tours… it was anything but an ordinary life.
Her first single in the 80s did not take off. But she persisted, even worked in nightclubs to make a living. The turning point came in 1990 with the album Strong as Steel, a real success in Australia, with the hit I Need Your Body. The beginning of a beautiful artistic fortune, already.
Her connection with France? It began in 1998 on the soundtrack of the film The Mask of Zorro. The duet with Marc Anthony was a huge hit. There, she did not speak French yet, but French radios immediately adopted her. A big surprise for her; she herself did not quite understand why the French were so interested in her. Well, it’s simple, they saw a star.
The major hits that speak French and remain in our memories
You surely remember Aller plus haut, the hit that exploded in France in 1999. It literally launched her career in the Hexagon, with sales exceeding 600,000 copies. And Tina, loyal, continued singing in French with hits like Aimer jusqu’à l’impossible or Je m’appelle Bagdad. Few international stars dare so much in a foreign language. She does.
Imagine the challenge: learning a language to sing correctly, without a false note. Today, she has become a true francophone icon, even if it wasn’t won in advance. And I must admit, it makes me want to start too.
On stage, her energy is intact. More than 52 singles, ten albums, and about ten awards to her name. Her fortune is far from insignificant, but her freedom is what matters most. She said it well: “My freedom has no price”. I find that quite inspiring.
She alternates years with incredible projects. In 2023, for example, she surprised everyone by participating in Mask Singer. Here, still this desire to reinvent herself, to not rest on her laurels.
You can see here an interview where she talks precisely about her spectacular return in 2026. It’s exciting, believe me.
Private life, behind the scenes of a woman far from the spotlight
Tina Arena often intrigues also by what she chooses to share. Married very young in 1995, she divorced four years later. Then she met Vincent Hare, with whom she had her son, Gabriel, in 2005. The couple lives between France, Australia, and the United Kingdom, with a foot in Melbourne.
But in 2023, she announced their separation. It’s hard for her; you can sense sincerity in her words when she shares her emotions. These slices of life are not just gossip; they humanize the artist. A strong woman, but sometimes vulnerable.
She also speaks openly about her attempts to have other children, unfortunately without success, which adds a very personal touch to her journey. It’s not just about the stage and the glitter; she lives all this up close, with its ups and downs.
I like this honesty. She hides nothing, she has gone through difficult times, but always with dignity. That only makes her closer to her fans; we don’t want to let her go after that.
Surprising anecdotes we don’t suspect
You know that Tina Arena sang on the soundtrack of The Mask of Zorro, yes, but maybe you don’t know that she really started in a children’s show called Youth Talent Time. A crazy experience that shaped her for life, a beginning that contrasts with the international star she has become.
Several of her hits, especially those in French, were recorded while she did not yet speak the language well. She sang phonetically, which is crazy and probably shows her hard work, her courage in the face of challenges. Honestly, you can’t imagine the work that must represent.
Another fact I found funny is her 2013 appearance on the Australian version of Dancing with the Stars, where she finished third, proof that she doesn’t shy away from challenging herself in unexpected areas.
And in 2007, she even sang for Nicolas Sarkozy’s victory in the French presidential election. Can you imagine the atmosphere behind that?! A little unexpected political touch for an artist who often prefers to stay away from controversies.
Recent projects and the eagerly awaited French tour in 2026
Attention, 2026 promises to be busy. After a tour in Australia at the end of 2025, Tina returns to Europe for a series of twelve concerts in France. With a highly anticipated stop in Paris, at the Salle Pleyel, it promises to be a strong moment for her francophone fans.
She also celebrates her fifty years of career, a crazy milestone, especially when you know the rigor of her path. These dates are not just a tour, it’s a real celebration, a tribute to all she has built.
She has also collaborated several times with French and international artists, such as Henri Salvador or Jay, solidifying her connection with the French scene. In 2025, she even did an emotional duet with Victor during Star Academy, which moved all of France.
You can feel she wants to remain in the hearts of the French, and rightly so. Tina Arena embodies elegance, raw talent, and dedication to her art. This link with the young talents of Star Academy is the icing on the cake of her career.
The reasons why Tina Arena remains a major figure in francophone music
What strikes me about Tina Arena is this incredible ability to cross generations. She started young, but her story has never frozen. She knows how to renew herself, take risks, all while keeping her authenticity.
Her fortune certainly reflects her material success, but what really matters is her lasting influence. Young and old respect her, because she sings with her heart and soul. Not just for business.
In France, she managed to establish herself without losing her Australian soul. Her modest stature on stage hides a powerful voice, a true force of nature. Maybe that’s also why we love her; she seems accessible, yet she is exceptional.
And then, she commands respect also by her personal commitment. For a long time, she has talked about important subjects like menopause, ageism, topics still taboo for many. She shows that age is just a number, that talent and passion transcend time.
- 🎤 Early start: on stage at 7 years old
- 🌍 International career with over 10 million records sold
- 🎶 Hits in French: a winning bet despite the language barrier
- 💔 Private life with ups and downs openly shared
- 🔥 Anniversary tour for her 50 years of career in 2026
