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Melissa Tkautz has achieved success as an actress, singer, model, brand ambassador, and presenter.
By age 17, Melissa had appeared in over 160 television and print commercials. This exposure launched her career when she was cast as Nikki Spencer in the popular soap opera 'E-Street.' This role quickly brought her into the homes and hearts of millions. Playing Nikki Spencer marked her first steps into acting, and during her time on the show, Melissa made music history by releasing the iconic track 'Read My Lips.' The song became an instant chart sensation, captivating the nation and earning Melissa the highest-selling single of the year, along with an AMA and an ARIA award. She followed up with major hits such as 'Sexy Is The Word,' 'Skin to Skin,' 'My House,' and 'Is It?'. After extensive touring, Melissa was firmly established on the international stage, with devoted fans waiting hours to see Australia's latest star.
Following 'E-Street' and while managing her successful music career, Melissa remained dedicated to acting. She appeared in many of Australia's top TV dramas, including 'Home & Away,' 'Medivac,' 'Richmond Hill,' 'Paradise Beach,' 'Pacific Drive,' 'Echo Point,' and 'All Saints,' keeping her a familiar face across the country. Over three years, she also performed in various productions of the acclaimed 'The Vagina Monologues' alongside other dramas and soap operas.
After the success of her debut album 'Fresh,' Melissa refocused on acting but kept music close at heart. In 2005, she returned with a cover of Sheila E's classic 'Glamorous Life' and the haunting original 'All I Want,' both featured on her album 'Lost & Found.' She quickly followed with the cult hit 'Easily Affected' and the dance floor smash 'I Want Your Love,' a collaboration with DJ Nick Skitz. Her next solo dance project, 'Something About You,' became a fan favorite, supported by remixes from top Australian DJs and embraced by a new generation of fans. After 20 years in the industry, Melissa had built an impressive body of work and earned well-deserved credibility.
Twice voted 'Sexiest Woman on Earth' and 'Hottest Woman on The Planet,' Melissa has been a media favorite, appearing on the covers of Black and White, Vogue, Cosmopolitan, Ralph, FHM, TV Hits, Dolly, Smash Hits, and numerous other international magazines.
Among the many causes she supports, Melissa is a passionate advocate for marriage equality. She states, "No one has the right to tell someone who they can love. This is one of those injustices that future generations will look back on and be ashamed of." She is also dedicated to fighting bullying. In early 2012, Melissa joined a group of Australian celebrities collaborating with 'The Community Brave Foundation' in a series of online videos promoting anti-bullying. She explains, "Bullying in all forms needs to be taken seriously, whether online or in the schoolyard. These ongoing issues create lasting negative impacts often carried into adulthood … it's time to change, it's time to care."
After over three decades in the entertainment industry, Melissa embraced a new role as mother and wife. Following a break to focus on her family, she returned to acting with roles in TV shows 'Swift & Shift Couriers' and 'Housos.' As a singer, she released the dance single 'Something About You' and remained one of Australia's most sought-after personalities. On Australia Day 2012, she featured in the highly talked-about 'Barbie Girl: Australia Day Lamb Campaign' alongside Sam Kekovich, Richard Wilkins, and Justice Crew. This campaign became the second most viral in Australian history, boosting Melissa's profile as a brand ambassador and making her the top trending topic on Twitter. More recently, she released a greatest hits collection that debuted at number 11 on the charts, coinciding with a nationwide tour. That same year, she welcomed her second child.
Looking ahead to 2015, Melissa announced her new single 'Gotta Let You Go' and will star in the feature film 'Boar.' With more projects on the horizon, she shows no signs of slowing down.
