Missy Higgins Australian pop singer, songwriter and actress Date of Birth: 12.08.1983 Country: Australia

1. Melissa Higgins: Australian Pop Singer and Songwriter
2. Early Life and Musical Influences
3. Piano Lessons and School Plays
4. Boarding School and the Discovery of Her Voice
5. Songwriting and Early Success
6. "The Sound of White" and International Recognition
7. "On a Clear Night" and Continued Success
8. Activism and Advocacy
9. Personal Life and Education

Melissa Higgins: Australian Pop Singer and Songwriter

Melissa Morrison Higgins is an Australian pop singer, songwriter, and actress. Born on August 19, 1983, in Melbourne, Victoria, she is the daughter of Dr. Christopher Higgins and Margaret Morrison Higgins. Melissa has two older siblings, David and Nicola.

Early Life and Musical Influences

Melissa grew up listening to a wide range of music from her siblings. She was particularly influenced by the music of Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Queen, and Kiss. During her teenage years, she gravitated towards the music of Nirvana and Courtney Love.

Piano Lessons and School Plays

Following the footsteps of her father and brother, Melissa began playing the piano at the age of 6. At 12, she realized her passion for singing after performing in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in a school production.

Boarding School and the Discovery of Her Voice

Seeking independence, Melissa convinced her parents to send her to Geelong Grammar School, where her siblings had attended. There, she resumed piano lessons, focusing on jazz, and performed in David's band on weekends. Music became a sanctuary for Melissa as she navigated boarding school life.

Songwriting and Early Success

At 15, Melissa wrote "All for Believing" for a school assignment. Her sister Nicola submitted the song to Triple J's Unearthed competition, where it won and gained radio airplay. Melissa was approached by both Sony and Eleven Music, ultimately signing with the latter due to their agreement to avoid a stereotypical pop star image.

"The Sound of White" and International Recognition

After returning from her backpacking trip through Europe, Melissa recorded her debut album, "The Sound of White," which was released in 2004. Both the album and the lead single "Scar" reached the top of the Australian charts. Melissa was nominated for 5 Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) awards, winning for Best Pop Release for "Scar."

"On a Clear Night" and Continued Success

In 2007, Melissa released her second album, "On a Clear Night," featuring the hit single "Steer." She embarked on extensive touring throughout Australia, performed at numerous charity events, and spent several months in the United States in 2008.

Activism and Advocacy

Beyond her music career, Melissa has been vocal in her support of animal rights and environmental protection. She has also been an advocate for One in Five, an Australian mental health charity, since 2003. Melissa is a vegetarian and identifies as bisexual.

Personal Life and Education

In 2010, Melissa enrolled in the University of Melbourne as a student. She is currently in a long-term relationship with Kyle Sandilands, an Australian radio and television personality.