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~Anna~
FULL NAME: Anna Maria Belperio
NICKNAME: Fruja
BIRTHDAY: July 2nd, 1979
STATE OF ORIGIN: South Australia
BORN: Adelaide- Queen Elizabeth Hospital
FAMILY: Mum, Dad & younger sister Francesca
HEIGHT: Short!
SHOE SIZE: 7- 7 & a half
FAVE TV SHOW: Charmed
PETS: 2 Dogs (Bobby & Bianca) And A Yellow Canary
FAVE COLOUR: Blue and Wearing Red
DISLIKES: Green Lollies and Waking up early
HOBBIES: Shopping, Reading and the Gym
STARSIGN: Cancer
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~Simon~
FULL NAME: Simon James Ditcham
NICKNAME: Kotter
BIRTHDAY: March 15th, 1978
STATE OF ORIGIN: Tasmania
BORN: Hobart, Tasmania
FAMILY: Mum-Pip, Dad-Michael and brothers- Jeremy, Tim and sister Nikki
HEIGHT: 178cm
SHOE SIZE: 10
FAVE TV SHOW: The X-Files
PETS: Holly, A Golden Retreiver
FAVE COLOUR: Brown or Green
DISLIKES: Arrogance, Early Mornings and Healthy Food
HOBBIES: Sport- Tennis and Hockey
STARSIGN: Pisces
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~Daniela~
FULL NAME: Daniela Josepina Scala
NICKNAME: Punky
BIRTHDAY: March 30th, 1982
STATE OF ORIGIN: South Australia
BORN: Adelaide
FAMILY: Mum- Cathy, Dad- Enzo & sister Julianna
HEIGHT: 156cm
SHOE SIZE: 7
FAVE TV SHOW: Mad Tv, or Friends
PETS: A Dalmation called Sebastion
FAVE COLOUR: Aqua and Yellow
DISLIKES: Mosquitoes
HOBBIES: Songwriting and Soccor
STARSIGN: Aries
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~Jason~
FULL NAME: Jason William Christopher Bird
NICKNAME: Jace
BIRTHDAY: May 21st, 1979
STATE OF ORIGIN: Western Australia
BORN: Middlesex, England
FAMILY: Mum, Dad, older sisters- Tracy & Nancy, older brothers- Barry and Simon, & younger sister Melanie.
HEIGHT: About 157!
SHOE SIZE: 8 & a half
FAVE TV SHOW: Popstars!
PETS: None
FAVE COLOUR: Black
DISLIKES: Cough Syrup and Snobs
HOBBIES: Singing, Dancing, Partying...and stuff.
STARSIGN: Taurus
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~Tamara~
FULL NAME: Tamara Anastacia Jaber
NICKNAME: TimTam
BIRTHDAY: August 13th, 1982
STATE OF ORIGIN: New South Whales
BORN: Paddington, Sydney
FAMILY: Mum, Dad and three sisters
HEIGHT: 164cm...
SHOE SIZE: 7
FAVE TV SHOW: Changing Rooms, Popstars & The Simpsons
PETS: None!
FAVE COLOUR: Ming Blue and wearing Pink and Red
DISLIKES: Sultanas
HOBBIES: Colouring-In
STARSIGN: Leo
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Anna's first language is Italian and she didn't speak English until she started school. The first word she learned to pronounce (apart from Mama and Papa) was 'chocolate'!
Anna's earliest memory of loving music was when her mum played Tom Jones'
What's New Pussycat - nothing could stop her dancing around the room to that song! Anna's dad encouraged her interest and bought her a guitar. But after three lessons her fingers hurt so much, she changed to the electronic organ.
At age six, Anna entered the Yamaha International Electone (electronic organ) Festival and has competed every year since. She was a state finalist twice, and won a Young Composer's Music Award. Anna also participated in school musicals, choirs and ensembles and on weekends performed in a band for wedding ceremonies.
Anna has always wanted to be a performer, but thought it would be safe to have a back up profession. Last year she finished her Bachelor of Education and, just before making the final group of POPSTARS, was offered a music teaching position.
Anna said: "To be a performer has always been my dream. When I was chosen for the group, I could not believe I had been offered this great opportunity of a lifetime. I am grateful for every experience and opportunity that has been offered to me in the past, which has enabled me to get this far. This is so cool - getting paid to sing, dance and perform. I must have the best job in the world!"
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Simon had a brief stint in the army after finishing school, and then studied for a Bachelor of Environmental Design at the University of Hobart. He worked in an architectural firm until last year when he decided to follow his passion - a love of music and performing.
Simon's other passion is sport and he has represented Tasmania at both tennis and hockey.
Simon formed his first band 'Serby' with some schoolmates. After numerous line-up changes, they were known to have the finest rhythm section in Hobart. Simon, the last original member, left the group after five years for POPSTARS.
Simon said about POPSTARS: "When the auditions came up, I wasn't even going to go in them. If it wasn't for my friends insisting, I wouldn't be here. So I took a chance and look where it has got me. Life is full of surprises."
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*Daniela Scala*
As a child, Daniela explored the possibilities of all sorts of professions. Her first choice was to become a vet. Worried that her cat Sugar was too hot, Daniela decided to put him into the refrigerator. Next came the idea of becoming a hairdresser. But after finding a pair of scissors and creating a rather unique zigzag fringe, she knew there had to be another calling.
Daniela's mother is a trained Opera Singer and encouraged Daniela to study music. In her HSC, Daniela scored 90% for her exam performance.
At 16, Daniela entered the South Australian Karaoke Competition. Although she was the youngest performer, she came third. In 1997 she came second in the Young Composers Awards and this experience convinced her where her future should lie - singing and songwriting.
In 1998, Daniela travelled to Italy to perform the Australian anthem at an international soccer tournament. This one performance led to a month long stay, performing at shopping centres, cafes and dances. It was her first taste of stardom as the Italians thought she was a well known Australian performer!
Daniela is a keen soccer player, but most of all, loves playing the piano and composing songs. Last year she composed a few songs for an as yet unreleased movie.
Daniela says: "When the first POPSTARS auditions happened, I was too young. So the second time around I took no chances. I convinced myself to strive and reach for it. I tried my best and I did not underestimate my chances. So here I am, with the biggest smile on my face. From the moment I was in, I promised myself to appreciate everything because I knew I would be endlessly grateful."
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Jason was a born performer. He used to make his family listen and watch his impersonations of his favourite pop stars and would get quite upset when they did not pay FULL ATTENTION to his performance!
Jason's first performing job was as a dancer and choreographer which took him to Singapore for six months. Back in Perth, while continuing as a dancer, he also managed a major music store.
Last year, Jason and brother Simon decided to move to Melbourne to further their careers. Three months later, they both auditioned for POPSTARS.
Jason said of this experience: "All my life I have worked and waited for an opportunity like this and now to be given one is a dream come true. Without the tremendous support of my family and friends, I would not be here now. To become a 'popstar' I am realising that a great group of any sort is not made up of perfect individuals, but is a perfect balance of strengths and weaknesses combined, working towards a mutual goal."
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Tamara started singing and dancing at the age of three and always stole the limelight at family functions. By the age of eight she had started formal tap, jazz and ballet lessons.
Tamara successfully auditioned for the Newtown Performing Arts High School where she studied dance and drama. At 14 she represented Australia in the American Song and Dance Championships and won first prize.
Tamara won a scholarship to the Australian Institute of Music for Years 11 and 12, completing a Diploma of Music at the same time as completing her HSC.
Highlights of her career so far include working with John Farnham and Tina Arena.
Tamara said: "I am so grateful for the experience, wisdom and opportunities that I have been given by everyone who has taught me. The discipline instilled during my training has allowed me to stand out from the thousands of people who auditioned for POPSTARS. I wake up every morning feeling blessed that I am able to do what I love and it is this gift that drives me to want to work harder and to be the best I can."
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