"As Australia's most successful female recording artist, Tina Arena, born Filippina Arena, has a little bit of everything in her. From pop to rock, R&B and soul, this ""rock bitch"" really knows how to entertain.Arena was born in Melbourne to Italian immigrants and from an early age began listening to everything in her parent's record collection from Spanish, Italian and French music to Barbara Streisand, Aretha Franklin and Carole King. Participating in television talent contests, which she won three of four, she earned a permanent spot on Young Talent Time, a popular Australian TV show, where she was nicknamed ""Tina Tina."" Though she stayed away from the tabloid spotlight, she performed constantly on television shows and in local pubs, eventually becoming a pop music icon. By 21, she started focusing on collaboration work and released her single ""Turn Up the Beat"" in 1985. Her debut album appeared while she was in her early 20s, tilted Strong as Steel, and showcased a racier Arena. Her single ""I Need Your Body"" reached platinum status but drove Arena away from the spotlight once again as she felt her talent was being wasted on something other than just her strong vocal chords.After her early ‘90s hiatus, she returned in Los Angeles with an Epic record deal and a new album, Don't Ask, in 1996. The album eventually went 10 times platinum in Australia as more personal lyrics melted away the hearts of millions in both Australia and the United States. Her single ""Chains,"" which focused on breaking stereotypes, went platinum and became an international hit single. Her third album, In Deep, had fewer songs written by Arena but more work with legendary producers like Mick Jones, Christopher Ward and others. The album went on to become Australia's bestselling album of '95. In 1997, she announced she was starting a charity to help disadvantaged children."