Toni Pearen

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Toni Pearen

Born 5 June 1972 (1972-06-05) (age 36)
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Toni Pearen is an Australian actress/singer/TV presenter born in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia on June 5, 1972. Known earlier in her career for her role on the soap opera E Street and for a number of hit singles, she was most recently the host of Australia's Funniest Home Video Show from 2003-2008.[1]

Contents

[edit] Career

[edit] Acting 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.

In 2003 Pearen returned to TV once more, this time as host of Nine's Australia's Funniest Home Video Show.[2][3] In an interview with MSN Australia, 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 1 February 2008, it was announced that Shelley Craft would take over the hosting duties from Pearen, who is leaving to return to acting.[5]

[edit] Music career

After leaving E Street, Pearen became a success in the Dance Pop scene in 1992/1993, scoring 2 consecutive top 10 Gold hits in Australia with "In Your Room" (#10 in January 1993) and "I Want You" (#10 in April 1993). This was followed by two less successful singles "Walkaway Lover" (#35 1994) and "Joy" (#71 1995). Her 1994 album "Intimate" (#56) was well received by critics but sold poorly.[citation needed]

From 1995 to 2002, Pearen lived in Los Angeles, working as a singer and songwriter. Whilst overseas she had a mishap with her boyfriend at the time. She did not have a visa whilst visiting South America and landed herself in trouble with the police, an issue which was eventually rectified.[citation needed] In 2002, she moved back to Australia, taking residence on Scotland Island, New South Wales.[6] In late 2003, it was reported that Pearen was aiming to revive her music career in the near future. It was 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 her plan has been confirmed since then.

[edit] Personal life

Toni began her singing/acting studies at Lynda Keane Studios Sydney with Lynda Keane and Greg Anderson. Lynda Keane and her husband Greg had a daughter Brooke who also worked opposite Toni in E Street as the young Brookie.

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.[7][8] Pearen married Osmond in the north western New South Wales town of Moree at dusk 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.[9]

Notable names among the guests at the wedding party included wife of former Prime Minister William McMahon, Sonia McMahon, Australian Idol host Andrew G, actor Erika Heynatz, GQ magazine's Grant Pearce and Sotheby's Justin Miller.

To note- -Toni was Picture magazine's 'Most Sexiest Aussie actress' in 2004, beating the likes of Rebecca Gibney and Natalie Imbrulia.

[edit] Discography

Albums

  • "Intimate" #56 Australia

Singles

  • "In Your Room" #10 Australia
  • "I Want You" #10 Australia
  • "Walkaway Lover" #35 Australia
  • "Joy" #71 Australia

[edit] DVDs

  • E-Street : The Best of Mr Bad – Volume 1 [10]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Knox, David (2008-02-01). Shelley Craft lands Funniest Home Videos. tvtonight.com.au. Retrieved on 2008-02-01.
  2. ^ a b (excerpt). "Psst... Toni Pearen to host Funniest Home Video Show", newstext.com.au, 2003-01-30. Retrieved on 2007-08-27. 
  3. ^ MSN Australia. "Host Toni Pearen's Profile", funniesthomevideos.ninemsn.com.au. Retrieved on 2007-08-27. 
  4. ^ MSN Australia. "Toni Pearen", MSN.com. Retrieved on 2007-08-27. 
  5. ^ Knox, David (2008-02-01). Shelley Craft lands Funniest Home Videos. tvtonight.com.au. Retrieved on 2008-02-01.
  6. ^ Williams, Garry. "Toni's on a high", Australian Herald Sun, 2006-11-12. Retrieved on 2007-08-28. 
  7. ^ "Christmas proposal", Australian Herald Sun. Retrieved on 2007-10-06. 
  8. ^ "My Island Escape", Australian Herald Sun. Retrieved on 2007-10-06. 
  9. ^ "No Bloopers at Pearen Wedding", Australian Herald Sun. Retrieved on 2007-11-19. 
  10. ^ Idato, Michael. "E Street -The Best of Mr Bad", Brisbane Times, 2007-08-13. Retrieved on 2007-08-27. 

[edit] External links