Tina Cross is an icon of the New Zealand Entertainment Industry and in career spanning more than four decades, she remains one of New Zealands leading ladies of contemporary music, television and musical theatre. As recently as 2014 Tina added singer/songwriter to her list of credits and released an album of her original songs, including ‘Walk Away’ written specifically to help raise awareness of Family Violence. This song led to an ongoing collaboration with the Counties Manukau District Commanders Police Choir involving regular live performances as well as a rerecord of the Walk Away including the Police Choir, in order to feature the song as the NZ Police social message of Christmas and New Year 2015/16. Further to this Tina has created The Power Of Song workshop, specifically for Prisons, with the view to using music and her message based songs, to help refocus and rehabilitate prisoners. As an Ambassador for New Zealand Womens Refuge Tinas passion to support the prevention of Family Violence in New Zealand continues to be a priority.
The girl from Otara, Tina has a power packed list of credits, from first place win in the 1979 Pacific Song Contest and Royal Command performance in 1980, to Best Theatrical Performer in 1995/6. Tina has performed throughout Asia, UK, USA, Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific islands, appearing alongside stars Sammy Davis Jnr, Meatloaf and Tom Jones amongst others. She has won a host of awards including, Rising Star, Most Professional Performer. Top Female Vocalist an Australian Johnny O'Keefe MO and more recently, The Benny, from the Variety Artists Club of New Zealand. With two successful albums and several hit singles under her belt, the 1980’s also saw Tina headlining on TVNZ and BBC Television with her own series and TV specials. While living in Australia in the 1980’s, further record success, topping Australian and German charts was the result of several years of hard work, with her Australian techno pop band, Koo De Tah.
In 1995 Tina ventured into Musical Theatre and received rave reviews for her performances in The Rocky Horror Show and Cats. During that year Tina also recorded a CD of songs from musicals dueting with fellow cast members of Cats and Rocky, produced by Carl Doy. Tina donned the hat of producer and co-produced and performed in a short season of Kander and Ebbs, "The World Goes Round," staged at Auckland's Harrahs Sky Theatre in January 1997. The following year, she stunned Melbourne audiences with her portrayal of evil stepmother Dahlia Kensington, in the Kevin Jacobson in association with Michael Jackson production of "Sisterella" in 1998. The Melbourne Age called her magnificent and mesmerizing while the Herald Sun hailed her as the onstage star of the show.
As theatre Madam, Tina continued the tradition when she starred as Roxy Hart in the 2001 New Zealand tour of Chicago and then in 2005 when offered the role of Velma Kelly in yet another touring version of Chicago, this time starring with Michael Barrymore, Tina simply said, "both leading ladies, hell yes"! In 2003 she toured New Zealand with the UK cast of Boogie Nights and in 2004 she took on the ultimate challenge when she played Beth Heke in the musical stage version of the New Zealand classic, Once Were Warriors.
Just when Tina thought that theatre might be slowing down for her, she reprised her role as Grizabella in Amici's 2009 production of Cats. Once again, the critics raved about her rendition of 'Memory', now one of her signature songs. In 2011 Tina played the role of Gigi for the North Shore Theatre production of Miss Saigon in one of her favourite NZ venues, Aucklands Civic Theatre. Age has no limit for Miss Cross!
Tina has been a judge on several of our popular TV shows including McDonalds Young Entertainers, Showcase, Smokefree Stage Challenge and vocal coach on TV2's Do You Wanna Be A Popstar. Tina was the voice of the Shortland Street theme song and she has also enjoyed performances with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, the Christchurch Symphony and the Dunedin Sinfonia, over the years. She has been a favourite performer of the Starlight Symphony series, Coca Cola Christmas In The Park and Rotoruas Lakeside.
In 2007 Tina was awarded the Queens medal, Order Of New Zealand Merit ( ONZM), for her services to the Music Industry and in 2008 Tina demonstrated her dance talents in TVNZ's Dancing With The Stars. This was followed by an NZSO Nothing But Dreams tour featuring Tina and Carl Doy as a tribute to 30 years, since their Pacific Song Contest Win. Over the past 9 years Tina has continued to perform in harmony heaven with Jackie Clarke, Suzanne Lynch, The Lady Killers, and their debut album continues to be a winner.
Tina is a past National Ambassador for 'Dress For Success', a charity organisation which helps disadvantaged women get back into the workforce. She is currently an Ambassador for Manurewa’s Totara Hospice and she is also Patron of North Shore Music Theatre. Tina is an avid supporter of aspiring young talent as well as many charity organisations throughout New Zealand.