Sophie Monk
Encyclopedia
Sophie Charlene Akland Monk (born 14 December 1979) is a London-born Australia
n 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.
series, Popstars
, a TV talent show which aimed to create a successful new girl group
. Monk, who has been trained in classical and pop singing and has been performing since she was eight years old, drove all night to audition. 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.
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 27 April 2010.
Monk will appear alongside Cameron Richardson
in the indie comedy Hard Breakers portraying Lindsay Greene. Filming took place in 2009 in Los Angeles. She will also portray Princess Ellen in the National Lampoon comedy The Legend of Awesomest Maximus.
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.
Television
Music video
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
singer, actress and model
Model (person)
A model , sometimes called a mannequin, is a person who is employed to display, advertise and promote commercial products or to serve as a subject of works of art....
. 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
Date Movie
Date Movie is a 2006 American parody film, which was directed and written by Jason Friedberg and Aaron Seltzer, two of the writers of the first Scary Movie. Much of the story line was based on that of the well-known romantic comedy My Big Fat Greek Wedding and Meet The Fockers...
and Click.
Bardot
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 televisionReality television
Reality television is a genre of television programming that presents purportedly unscripted dramatic or humorous situations, documents actual events, and usually features ordinary people instead of professional actors, sometimes in a contest or other situation where a prize is awarded...
series, Popstars
Popstars
Popstars is an international reality television franchise and a precursor to the Idol series. The series first began in New Zealand in 1999 when producer Jonathan Dowling formed the five member all-girl group TrueBliss...
, a TV talent show which aimed to create a successful new girl group
Girl group
A girl group is a popular music act featuring several young female singers who generally harmonise together.Girl groups emerged in the late 1950s as groups of young singers teamed up with behind-the-scenes songwriters and music producers to create hit singles, often featuring glossy production...
. Monk, who has been trained in classical and pop singing and has been performing since she was eight years old, drove all night to audition. In one audition, she performed a rendition of Marilyn Monroe
Marilyn Monroe
Marilyn Monroe was an American actress, singer, model and showgirl who became a major sex symbol, starring in a number of commercially successful motion pictures during the 1950s....
's famous "Happy Birthday, Mr. President
Happy Birthday, Mr. President
"Happy Birthday, Mr. President" is a song sung by actress and singer Marilyn Monroe on Saturday, May 19, 1962, for President of the United States, John F. Kennedy, at a celebration of his forty-fifth birthday, ten days before the actual day of his 45th birthday . Sung in a sultry voice, Monroe...
", working on her previous experience as a Monroe impersonator at Warner Bros. Movie World
Warner Bros. Movie World
Warner Bros. Movie World is a popular movie related theme park on the Gold Coast in Australia. It is owned and operated by Village Roadshow since the take over from Time Warner and is the only movie related park in Australia...
. 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
Poison (Bardot song)
"Poison" is a pop song by Australian female group Bardot, and was the first single from their debut album Bardot . It was co-written and produced by Australian producer Michael Szumowski....
", and self-titled debut album
Bardot (album)
Bardot is the debut album by Australian female pop group Bardot, released in May 2000 .The album went to number one in Australia and New Zealand and spawned the singles "Poison", I Should've Never Let You Go" and "These Days" ....
. Further singles "I Should've Never Let You Go
I Should've Never Let You Go
"I Should've Never Let You Go" is a pop song by Australian female group Bardot, and was the second single from their debut album Bardot...
" and "These Days
These Days (Bardot song)
"These Days" is the third single by Australian pop group Bardot, released in August 2000 on the back of their first national tour. It debuted and peaked at No.19 on the ARIA Singles chart and was certified gold. The single was available in two unique formats...
" 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
ASAP (Bardot song)
"ASAP" is a pop / R&B song performed by former Australian pop group Bardot, and was the first single from their second album Play It Like That .-History:The fast tempo R&B track is about a partner's interfering mother...
", 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
I Need Somebody
"I Need Somebody" is a pop–dance song by Australian pop group Bardot and was the second single from their second album Play It Like That . It was produced by United Kingdom producer Ray Hedges....
", their most successful single since "Poison". The second album, Play It Like That
Play It Like That
Play It Like That is the second album by Australian female pop group Bardot, released in November 2001 .The album debuted at number 16 in Australia and spawned the singles "ASAP", "I Need Somebody" and "Love Will Find a Way"....
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 began appearing in films after Bardot disbanded. She appeared in a minor role as Marilyn MonroeMarilyn Monroe
Marilyn Monroe was an American actress, singer, model and showgirl who became a major sex symbol, starring in a number of commercially successful motion pictures during the 1950s....
for a high-budget telemovie The Mystery Of Natalie Wood (2004), and she was in the music video "Always
Always (blink-182 song)
"Always" is a song by American pop punk band Blink-182. It was the fourth and final single released from the band's fifth album, the eponymous Blink-182....
" for rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
group blink-182
Blink-182
Blink-182 is an American rock band consisting of vocalist and bass guitarist Mark Hoppus, vocalist and guitarist Tom DeLonge, and drummer Travis Barker. They have sold over 27 million albums worldwide since forming in Poway, California in 1992...
.
In 2005 Monk portrayed Andy in the spoof comedy Date Movie
Date Movie
Date Movie is a 2006 American parody film, which was directed and written by Jason Friedberg and Aaron Seltzer, two of the writers of the first Scary Movie. Much of the story line was based on that of the well-known romantic comedy My Big Fat Greek Wedding and Meet The Fockers...
. Filming took place in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
in late 2005 and the film was released on 17 February 2006. The film stars Alyson Hannigan
Alyson Hannigan
Alyson Lee Hannigan is an American actress. She is known for her roles as Willow Rosenberg in the cult classic television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Michelle Flaherty in three American Pie films, and Lily Aldrin on the CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother.-Early life:Hannigan was born in...
and Jennifer Coolidge
Jennifer Coolidge
Jennifer Coolidge is an American actress best known for playing "Stifler's mom," the older woman in the film American Pie ; Hilary Duff's stepmother in A Cinderella Story ; Paulette, the manicurist in Legally Blonde and its sequel; the voice of Aunt Fanny in the animated feature Robots ; for her...
. Despite negative reviews, the film was a box office success earning worldwide $84,795,656. She also appeared in the Adam Sandler
Adam Sandler
Adam Richard Sandler is an American actor, comedian, screenwriter, musician, and film producer.After becoming a Saturday Night Live cast member, Sandler went on to star in several Hollywood feature films that grossed over $100 million at the box office...
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
Entourage (TV series)
Entourage is an American comedy-drama television series that premiered on HBO on July 18, 2004 and concluded on September 11, 2011, after eight seasons...
in the episode "The Day Fuckers". She also had a role portraying Cynthia Rose in Sex and Death 101
Sex and Death 101
Sex and Death 101 is a 2007 dark comedy science fiction film written and directed by Daniel Waters released in the United States on April 4, 2008...
.
In 2006 she was cast to play the villain Mason Masters in Warner Premiere
Warner Premiere
Warner Premiere is the direct-to-video label of Warner Home Video, itself the home video unit of Warner Bros.In 2006, Warner Home Video announced they would enter the market of releasing original direct-to-video films, a market that has proven lucrative for studios over the past few years...
's Spring Breakdown
Spring Breakdown
Spring Breakdown is a comedy film starring Amy Poehler, Parker Posey, and Rachel Dratch. Three years after principal photography, and after the film's owner, Warner Independent Pictures, was shut down by its parent company, it was released direct-to-video in 2009.-Plot:The film begins with Gayle,...
. 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
Dark Castle Entertainment
Dark Castle Entertainment is a division of Silver Pictures, a production house affiliated with Warner Bros. It was formed in 1999 by Joel Silver, Robert Zemeckis, and Gilbert Adler...
announced Monk was to portray Alexa in The Hills Run Red
The Hills Run Red (2009 film)
The Hills Run Red is a 2009 horror film directed by Dave Parker and written by David J. Schow and starring Sophie Monk and William Sadler.- Plot :...
. 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
Spring Break '83
-Plot:Four friends who were bullied by their graduating high school class seek revenge against the now freshman college students while on Spring break during 1983.-Production:...
portraying Brittney. Filming took place in March 2009 in Los Angeles. The film stars Jamie Kennedy
Jamie Kennedy
James Harvey "Jamie" Kennedy is an American comedian, rapper, and actor.-Early life:Kennedy, the youngest of six children, was born in Upper Darby Township, a suburb of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His family is of Irish descent and he was raised Roman Catholic. He attended and graduated from...
, Raviv Ullman and John Goodman
John Goodman
John Stephen Goodman is an American film, television, and stage actor. He is best known for his role as Dan Conner on the television series Roseanne for which he won a Best Actor Golden Globe Award in 1993, and for appearances in the films of the Coen brothers, with prominent roles in Raising...
. A preview premiered at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival
Sundance Film Festival
The Sundance Film Festival is a film festival that takes place annually in Utah, in the United States. It is the largest independent cinema festival in the United States. Held in January in Park City, Salt Lake City, and Ogden, as well as at the Sundance Resort, the festival is a showcase for new...
. 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
Scout Taylor-Compton
Scout Taylor-Compton is an American actress and singer. She has appeared in numerous small television roles and in feature films that range from dramas to those in the horror genre....
. 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 27 April 2010.
Monk will appear alongside Cameron Richardson
Cameron Richardson
Cameron Richardson is an American actress and model, who portrayed Chloe Carter on the CBS television series Harper's Island.- Early life :Born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Cameron grew up in New Jersey....
in the indie comedy Hard Breakers portraying Lindsay Greene. Filming took place in 2009 in Los Angeles. She will also portray 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 CoastGold Coast, Queensland
Gold Coast is a coastal city of Australia located in South East Queensland, 94km south of the state capital Brisbane. With a population approximately 540,000 in 2010, it is the second most populous city in the state, the sixth most populous city in the country, and also the most populous...
in Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
. She also spent time at A. B. Paterson College and MacGregor State High School
MacGregor State High School
MacGregor State High School is a co-educational, state secondary school, located in Macgregor, a southeastern suburb of Brisbane, Queensland Australia. The current principal is Karyn Hart and there are around 1600 students that are enrolled in this school...
. At MacGregor State High School
MacGregor State High School
MacGregor State High School is a co-educational, state secondary school, located in Macgregor, a southeastern suburb of Brisbane, Queensland Australia. The current principal is Karyn Hart and there are around 1600 students that are enrolled in this 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
Benji Madden
Benji Madden is an American guitarist and backup vocalist for the band Good Charlotte, which he co-founded with his identical twin brother, Joel Madden.-Early life:...
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
Chelsea Lately
Chelsea Lately is an American late night comedy talk show hosted by comedian Chelsea Handler on E!. The show debuted on July 16, 2007, and is produced by Handler's production company, Borderline Amazing Productions...
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 Marilyn Monroe Marilyn Monroe was an American actress, singer, model and showgirl who became a major sex symbol, starring in a number of commercially successful motion pictures during the 1950s.... |
TV movie |
| 2005 | Pool Guys | Janet | TV movie |
| 2005 | London London (2005 film) London is a 2006 romantic drama film centering on a Manhattan party. The movie is directed and written by Hunter Richards, his first. It stars Jessica Biel, Chris Evans, Jason Statham, Joy Bryant, and Lina Esco.-Plot:... |
Lauren | Worldwide Gross: $20,361 |
| 2006 | Date Movie Date Movie Date Movie is a 2006 American parody film, which was directed and written by Jason Friedberg and Aaron Seltzer, two of the writers of the first Scary Movie. Much of the story line was based on that of the well-known romantic comedy My Big Fat Greek Wedding and Meet The Fockers... |
Andy | Worldwide Gross: $84,795,656 |
| 2006 | Click | Stacey | Worldwide Gross: $237,681,299 |
| 2008 | Sex and Death 101 Sex and Death 101 Sex and Death 101 is a 2007 dark comedy science fiction film written and directed by Daniel Waters released in the United States on April 4, 2008... |
Cynthia Rose | |
| 2009 | Spring Breakdown Spring Breakdown Spring Breakdown is a comedy film starring Amy Poehler, Parker Posey, and Rachel Dratch. Three years after principal photography, and after the film's owner, Warner Independent Pictures, was shut down by its parent company, it was released direct-to-video in 2009.-Plot:The film begins with Gayle,... |
Mason | |
| 2009 | The Hills Run Red The Hills Run Red (2009 film) The Hills Run Red is a 2009 horror film directed by Dave Parker and written by David J. Schow and starring Sophie Monk and William Sadler.- Plot :... |
Alexa | |
| 2010 | Spring Break '83 Spring Break '83 -Plot:Four friends who were bullied by their graduating high school class seek revenge against the now freshman college students while on Spring break during 1983.-Production:... |
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 Popstars Popstars is an international reality television franchise and a precursor to the Idol series. The series first began in New Zealand in 1999 when producer Jonathan Dowling formed the five member all-girl group TrueBliss... |
Herself / Contestant | Series One Winner |
| 2007 | Entourage Entourage (TV series) Entourage is an American comedy-drama television series that premiered on HBO on July 18, 2004 and concluded on September 11, 2011, after eight seasons... |
Juliette | 1 episode: The Day Fuckers |
| 2010 | Getaway Getaway Getaway is Australia's longest-running and most popular holiday and travel television programme. Debuting on 14 May 1992, it is currently broadcast on the Nine Network and TLC... |
Herself / Reporter | 6 episodes |
| 2011 | Talkin' 'Bout Your Generation Talkin' 'bout your Generation Talkin' 'Bout Your Generation is an Australian game show produced by Granada Productions which premiered on Network Ten on 5 May 2009. It is hosted by Shaun Micallef.... |
Herself / Contestant | 1 episode |
Music video
| Year | Music Video | Artist | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | "Always Always (blink-182 song) "Always" is a song by American pop punk band Blink-182. It was the fourth and final single released from the band's fifth album, the eponymous Blink-182.... " |
Blink-182 Blink-182 Blink-182 is an American rock band consisting of vocalist and bass guitarist Mark Hoppus, vocalist and guitarist Tom DeLonge, and drummer Travis Barker. They have sold over 27 million albums worldwide since forming in Poway, California in 1992... |
Love interest |