Sophie Monk

Sophie Charlene Akland Monk (born December 14, 1979 in England) is an Australian pop singer, actress and occasional model. She was once a member of female pop group Bardot and has since established a solo career with the release of an album, Calendar Girl. More recently, she turned her hand to acting, starring in films such as Date Movie and Click. 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. Soon after Bardot's split, Monk began work on her solo career, re-signing a solo contract with Warner Music. She travelled overseas to work with some well-known producers including hit maker Rob Davis (famous for co-writing Kylie Minogue's "Can't Get You Out Of My Head") and this resulted in two tracks, "Inside Outside", Monk's debut solo single and the album track "Don't Push It". Sophie performed her new single for the very first time in September on the grand final edition of the AFL Footy Show at Rod Laver Arena. "Inside Outside" was released October 28, 2002 and after a week of busy promotion, debuted in the Top 5, spending a total of 12 weeks in the ARIA Top 50, receiving gold status.



Monk also co-wrote the b-side "Luv Me" (in dedication to her long-term boyfriend of the time) with producer Shane Monopoly. Adding to her growing profile was her role as model and spokesperson for Expozay Swimwear. Second single, "Get The Music On" became another Top 10 hit, spending 10 weeks in the Top 50. The single's b-side "Shake" was also co-written by her. In May 2003, Monk released her debut solo album, Calendar Girl, which surprised many by mixing contemporary pop-dance and funk with classical opera interludes, Monk having been classically trained growing up. Despite heavy promotion including TV advertising and in store appearances, the album debuted at #35 which was seen as a disappointing result. The album's final single, the ballad "One Breath Away", was re-recorded and mixed for single release, peaking at #23 in July, spending only 9 weeks in the Top 100. Despite beginning work on new material in early 2004, including songs with dance act Rogue Traders, Monk parted ways with Warner Music. The material created during these sessions has yet to surface. Monk has since established herself in Hollywood, having played Marilyn Monroe for a high-budget telemovie The Mystery Of Natalie Wood (2004) and starred in the music video "Always" for rock group blink-182. In February 2006, she starred in her debut feature role as the flirtatious and seductive 'best man' Andy in the spoof comedy Date Movie. A scene in the film sees Monk act out a parody of the infamous Paris Hilton burger advertisement. The film was a box office hit, reaching #2 in the US and #1 in Australia, UK and New Zealand. June saw the release of the Adam Sandler film Click, a story about a universal remote control. The film debuted at #1 on both the US and Australian box office charts. Monk plays Stacey, David Hasselhoff's flirtatious, bimbo secretary who she described in an interview as "... kind of a floozy that kind of just works there because she gets around a bit. Another serious character." She has also appeared in a sex scene with Vincent Chase of HBO's Entourage in the episode "The Day Fuckers". Monk has wrapped up work shooting a role in the dark comedy Sex and Death 101, written and directed by Daniel Waters.

The film will also star fellow Australian actor Simon Baker, and Winona Ryder, and is due for release early-mid 2008. She has also scored a part in, what is described to be her biggest role yet, the upcoming Warner Bros. comedy 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." Monk will appear in the upcoming 2008 horror film Pearblossom along side Scout Taylor-Compton. Monk has also appeared in an array of commercials and advertisements including Primus Telecom, Diet Vanilla Coke and LG Mobile. More recently, she is the face for the launch of the Biofit Bra by Pleasure State, for which she is currently on a promotional press tour of Australia. Monk recorded an update of Salt-N-Pepa's "Push It" for the promotion, and a music-video style commercial to accompany it is being played throughout Myer stores in Australia.

The cover was produced by Monk's fiancee Benji Madden and may be released as a single in the future. Having had a tabloid reported private life, including a period dating actor Jude Law, Monk is engaged to Benji Madden of American pop/punk band Good Charlotte. He proposed on Christmas Eve in Australia with a Neil Lane platinum diamondring. Monk is regulary seen out with socialite Nicole Richie, who is her soon to be sister-in-law.