EXCLUSIVE: You might know Sophie Monk as the face of Love Island Australia but she’s packed a lot more into her more than 20-year entertainment career.

The host sat down with 9Entertainment to talk about the highlights of her singing and acting career, although Sophie is under the impression it’s a little-known fact to many.

“I don’t think anyone knows I sang or acted,” the 45-year-old downplayed her resume.
Sophie is easily one of the most loved faces on Aussie TV. (Nine)
While a modest Sophie said that nobody brings up the movies she’s been in, just about everybody on the street asks her about Love Island.

“Love Island has to be the most special TV show I’ve done. I love seeing people fall in love and be so vulnerable,” Sophie said.

As Sophie fronts Season 7 of Love Island, we thought we’d take a little look back at some of career highlights including the show that kickstarted it all and some lesser-known gems!

New Faces – 1992

Sophie Monk has been on our screens for a long time.

And we’ve even got vision of her first ever TV appearance on Bert Newton’s talent show New Faces.

The then 12-year-old performed an song titled ‘Ugly Duckling’, although the beauty was anything but.

The 1992 performance was Sophie’s first taste of the Aussie entertainment industry and it’s safe to say she caught the bug!
A 12-year-old Sophie Monk performs on Bert Newton’s talent show New Faces in 1992. (Instagram)

Sophie gets her Bardot break on Popstars – 2000

Sophie first launched her career on on the singing competition Popstars hosted by Jackie O’Henderson.

During the series, Sophie, alongside Belinda Chapple, Sally Polihronas, Katie Underwood and Tiffani Wood, was selected to launch the girl band Bardot.
Sophie Monk launched her career on the singing competition Popstars. (Instagram)
Together, they became the Australian girl band of the early naughties.

They were an instant success with their debut single ‘Poison’ rocketing to number one in the charts.

It was barely a year before Katie exited the group and after just two years, Bardot disbanded.

Sophie launches her solo music career – 2003

In 2003, Sophie signed a contract with Warner Music Australia and set about releasing her debut album, Calendar Girl.

Following that Sophie stayed relatively quiet in the music space until 2007 when she recorded a cover of Salt-n-Pepa’s ‘Push It’ and again in 2021 when she released a jazz-inspired single ‘Nice to Meet You’.
Sophie Monk in the music video for her 2021 single ‘Nice to Meet You’. (Nine)

Sophie goes to Hollywood – 2006

Sophie is an Aussie national treasure, and before landing her hosting gig on Love Island Australia she appeared in a number of Hollywood movies including Click, Hard Breakers and Spring Breakdown.

One of her most iconic movie stints was in the 2006 film Date Movie (pictured), which she reflected on in an exclusive interview with 9Entertainment.
Sophie starred in the 2006 film Date Movie. (Stan)
“When you don’t have any other talent but the entertainment industry, you’ve got to give everything a go!” she joked.

“I love entertaining, I love making people happy and I try and go for those positive things… I’m a performer at the end of the day, and I’m lucky to have had opportunities like that.”

Sophie shines on home soil
Sophie Monk has admitted that back on Aussie screens is where she does her best work.

After giving Hollywood a crack she returned home and that’s where she re-entered mainstream popularity and became a prominent television host.

Aside from her most well-known gig as Love Island Australia host, which she’s done since 2018, she has a few other jobs on her resume list.
Sophie Monk has hosted Love Island Australia since 2018. (Nine)
She was also the winner of The Celebrity Apprentice Australia in 2015, served as a judge on Australia’s Got Talent and was the lead of The Bachelorette Australia in 2017.

Sophie is also a regular panellist on The Hundred with Andy Lee and makes regular appearances on LEGO Master Australia.
She’s also a regular on LEGO Masters Australia. (Nine)

Sophie shares her career advice

With more than 20 years in the entertainment industry it’s safe to say Sophie knows a thing or two.

When asked what career advice she would share, she had a surprising answer!

Find out what she had to say by watching the video at the top of this article.