Tina Arena grew emotional on camera as she discussed long-standing issues with her appearance while viewing a new portrait of herself at the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra.
The 57-year-old singer made the remarks during a television segment with 10 News+ reporter Jennifer Keyte on Friday, telling the reporter she had "never been terribly confident" about how she looked and that image had played "such a big part" of her career. The interview included footage of Arena reacting to the unveiling of the portrait commissioned to mark her five decades in show business.
The photograph, by fashion photographer Georges Antoni, is presented as two black-and-white panels: one a close-up of Arena and the other showing the singer in a leather-like suit striking a dramatic pose. Arena said seeing herself "captured so honestly" left her "taken aback" and prompted tears when she first saw the work on display.
"I’ve never been terribly confident, although people might think the contrary," Arena said in the interview. "I have struggled with image things, because image plays such a big part of what it is that we do. Unfortunately, a bigger part than I feel that it should." She added that being honoured by the National Portrait Gallery for a 50-year career was "incredibly special," and said she was excited that "there is still so much more to come."
Arena began performing as a child, first stepping into the spotlight at age 8 as a contestant on the TV talent show Young Talent Time. The portrait was commissioned to mark her five decades in the industry, a career that includes the 1994 album Don't Ask. The record debuted at No. 1 on the Australian album chart in November 1994 and was later certified 10-times platinum in Australia. Singles from the album included "Chains," "Wasn't It Good" and "Sorrento Moon," and the record achieved sales in the United Kingdom, United States and New Zealand.
The interview and portrait unveiling come after Arena completed the Australian leg of a 30th anniversary tour celebrating Don't Ask. She is scheduled to resume the tour with dates in Europe next month. In a 2024 appearance on Channel Ten's The Project, Arena said she decided to undertake the anniversary tour after acknowledging the practical realities of ageing and the possibility of missing the opportunity if she waited.
The portrait by Antoni will remain on display at the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra. Arena's comments during the televised segment underscored the contrast between public perception of established performers and the private insecurities they can continue to face over long careers in the public eye.