Tina Arena on misogyny, musicians struggling during COVID and the ‘beautiful alchemy’ of performing

During four decades as one of Australia’s best loved singer-songwriters, Tina Arena has seen her industry face a lot of challenge and change.

After a year when the arts were forgotten and musicians “really struggled”, she’s excited to return to the basics of performing on stage, touring Australia later this year.

“Tiny Tina” became a household name aged eight as a favourite on Australian variety TV show Young Talent Time.

Arena says she still gets “really emotional” looking back at old videos of herself performing, because she has “a real respect for that little girl”.

“The arts was my calling,” she tells 7.30.

“I would have to say that I was probably under five, when that became really apparent to me.”

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Reflecting on her life, she…