Toni Pearen
Toni Pearen |
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Toni Pearen is an Australian actress, singer, songwriter and TV presenter born in Cronulla, New South Wales, Australia on June 5, 1972. Known earlier in her career for her role on the soap opera E Street from 1989 until 1992 and for her music career in the early 1990's which included the release of an album and a number of ARIA certified gold singles, she most recently served as the host of Australia's Funniest Home Video Show for five years from 2003 to 2008 and is currently competing on the eighth season of Dancing With The Stars.[1]
Career
Film and Television career
Pearen came to be known in 1989 when she landed the role of Toni Windsor on the Australian soap opera E Street.[2] She played the role until 1992 when she left to pursue her music career. In 1994 she briefly returned to TV, this time playing Beth Armstrong on Home and Away. She also appeared in a number of films including All Men Are Liars and On the Dead Side, both released in 1995. From 1995 until 2002 Pearen lived and worked in the United States, guest starring in multiple television shows such as JAG.
Upon returning to Australia in 2002, Pearen landed the role as host of Nine's Australia's Funniest Home Video Show beginning February 2003.[2][3] In an interview with ninemsn, she said the show was a perfect fit for her, and it "reminds us that strange things happen every day, and you need to laugh."[4] On February 1, 2008, it was announced that Shelley Craft would take over the hosting duties from Pearen, who left to return to acting.[1]
After Australia's Funniest Home Video Show Pearen took on a guest starring role with the soap Out Of The Blue for five episodes, and in 2009 will also have a small part in the upcoming World War II miniseries The Pacific, produced by Steven Spielberg - the follow up to Band of Brothers.[5]
Pearen began appearing on the eighth season of the Seven Network's Dancing with the Stars as of August 2008 and received the series' first and so far only standing ovation. Pearen is currently in the lead to win the series.[6]
Music career
After leaving E Street, Pearen became a success in the Australian Dance Pop scene in 1992 and 1993, scoring two consecutive top 10 ARIA Gold certified hits with In Your Room and I Want You. A year later, between 1994 and 1995 two less successful singles were released and missed the top 30, Walkaway Lover and Joy. Pearen's 1994 album Toni Pearen's Intimate Album was well received by critics but sold poorly, only peaking at #56 on the ARIA chart - perhaps due to the two year delay since her first hit single was released. [citation needed]
From 1995 to 2002, Pearen lived in Los Angeles, working as an actor, singer and songwriter. In 2002, she moved back to Australia, taking residence on Scotland Island, New South Wales.[7] In early 2003 during an appearance on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire Pearen revealed she could be aiming to revive her music career in the near future. It was later revealed that part of the reason for her hiatus in the United States was to find the time to write new music. Although she has made musical performances at Carols by Candlelight in 2003 and ABBA Mania in 2006, very little of any plans to return to music did not happen until August 2008 when a new untitled demo track appeared on Pearen's Official MySpace page.
Dancing with the Stars Performances
In late 2008, Toni Pearen joined the cast of the eighth season of Dancing With The Stars. Pearen's partner is Henry Byalikov from the first season of So You Think You Can Dance Australia.
| Week # | Dance/Song | Judges' score | Result | ||
| Todd | Helen | Mark | |||
| 1 | Cha-cha-cha / "Mercy" | 9 | 9 | 9 | Safe |
| 2 | Tango / "Toxic" | 8 | 7 | 8 | Safe |
| 3 | Samba / "Work" | 7 | 8 | 8 | Safe |
| 4 | Quickstep / "Let's Go Crazy" | 9 | 9 | 10 | Safe |
| 5 | Salsa / "American Boy" | 8 | 8 | 8 | Safe |
Personal life
Toni began her singing/acting studies at Lynda Keane Studios Sydney with Lynda Keane and Greg Anderson.
Before taking up residence in Los Angeles, Pearen suffered a mishap with her boyfriend at the time. She did not have a visa whilst visiting Europe and landed herself in trouble with the police, an issue which was eventually rectified.[citation needed]
In late 2006, Pearen was engaged to longtime boyfriend and Darling Harbour restaurant co-owner Will Osmond. They have jointly acquired property, and now reside together on Scotland Island.[8][9] Pearen married Osmond in the north western New South Wales town of Moree on November 17, 2007. Pearen's Los Angeles-based actor friend Kym Wilson was her bridesmaid and Osmond's older brother Simon was best man. They were married in the garden of the Osmond family home.[10]
Filmography
Television and Film roles
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | A Country Practice | Patty Morrison | First acting role |
| 1989–1992 | E Street | Toni Windsor | |
| 1993 | Video Smash Hits | Presenter | First presenting role |
| 1993 | Coca Cola Take 40 Australia | Presenter | |
| 1994–1995 | Home And Away | Beth Armstrong | |
| 1994 | Red Music Television | Presenter | |
| 1995 | All Men Are Liars | Angela | Feature film |
| 1995 | On The Dead Side | Unknown | Feature film |
| 1997 | Colin Fitz Lives! | Pandemonium Fan | Feature film |
| 1997 | Carols By Candlelight | Performer | |
| 2000 | JAG | Unknown | Appeared in episodes Boomerang, Part 1 and Boomerang, Part 2 |
| 2002 | The Best of Aussie Drama | Herself | First appearance on Australian television in almost five years |
| 2003 | Who Wants To Be A Millionaire | Celebrity Contestant | |
| 2003 | Carols By Candlelight | Performer | First appearance at Carols By Candlelight in six years |
| 2003–2008 | Australia's Funniest Home Videos | Host | Hosted the show for a record breaking five years |
| 2005 | Celebrity Circus | Herself | |
| 2005 | The Footy Show | Herself | |
| 2006 | Bert's Family Feud | Contestant | Took part in the Celebrity Showdown week from 3-7 April |
| 2006 | ABBA Mania | Performer | |
| 2006–2007 | 20 to 1 | Herself | |
| 2007 | The Rock Eisteddfod Challenge | Host | |
| 2008 | Out Of The Blue | Justine | Appeared in five episodes - First acting role in eight years |
| 2008 | The One | Herself | Was read by a Psychic on the second last episode in July |
| 2008 | Deal Or No Deal | Contestant | Appeared on special August 25 episode Dancing With The Deal |
| 2008 | Dancing With The Stars | Contestant | |
| 2009 | The Pacific | Unknown | The sequel to Band Of Brothers, will appear in one episode |
Discography
Albums
| Year | Album | Australia |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Intimate | 56 |
Singles
| Year | Single | Australia |
Certification | Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | In Your Room | 10 | Intimate | |
| 1993 | I Want You | 10 | ||
| 1994 | Walkaway Lover | 35 | ||
| 1995 | Joy | 71 |
References
- ^ a b Knox, David (2008-02-01). "Shelley Craft lands Funniest Home Videos". tvtonight.com.au. Retrieved 2008-02-01.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ a b (excerpt) (2003-01-30). "Psst... Toni Pearen to host Funniest Home Video Show". newstext.com.au. Retrieved 2007-08-27.
{{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ MSN Australia. "Host Toni Pearen's Profile". funniesthomevideos.ninemsn.com.au. Retrieved 2007-08-27.
{{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ MSN Australia. "Toni Pearen". MSN.com. Retrieved 2007-08-27.
{{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ Meegan, Genevive (2008-07-27). "Quick step for TV's Toni". Adelaide Now. Retrieved 2008-07-29.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Knox, David (2008-07-27). "Toni tangos to Seven". tvtonight.com.au. Retrieved 2008-07-27.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Williams, Garry (2006-11-12). "Toni's on a high". Australian Herald Sun. Retrieved 2007-08-28.
{{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ "Christmas proposal". Australian Herald Sun. Retrieved 2007-10-06.
{{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ "My Island Escape". Australian Herald Sun. Retrieved 2007-10-06.
{{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ "No Bloopers at Pearen Wedding". Australian Herald Sun. Retrieved 2007-11-19.
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