Having grown up watching Young Talent Time each week, I was very interested to read Tina Arena's autobiography. Being one of the few who successfully made the transition from child entertainer to extremely successful recording artist, her story was an interesting and entertaining read from start to finish.
Perhaps one of the most significant facts I learned about Tina was that her name is in fact Fillipina and she was (and still is) known to her friends and family as Pina. The name Tina was adopted when she started on YTT. Tina grew up in a very normal household in Moonee Ponds in Melbourne, the middle daughter of two hard working Sicillian immigrants. From a young age she loved to sing and entertain and as we know he big break came when she joined the Young Talent Team. Tina speaks fondly of her time on the show and has only kind words to say about host Johnny Young and her fellow team members. I thought this was refreshing in an age where many people like to dish the dirt on former castmates whenever the chance provides itself.
Perhaps one of the most significant facts I learned about Tina was that her name is in fact Fillipina and she was (and still is) known to her friends and family as Pina. The name Tina was adopted when she started on YTT. Tina grew up in a very normal household in Moonee Ponds in Melbourne, the middle daughter of two hard working Sicillian immigrants. From a young age she loved to sing and entertain and as we know he big break came when she joined the Young Talent Team. Tina speaks fondly of her time on the show and has only kind words to say about host Johnny Young and her fellow team members. I thought this was refreshing in an age where many people like to dish the dirt on former castmates whenever the chance provides itself.