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Neighbours TV actress turned-pop-star Holly Valance releases her infectious third single Naughty Girl through London Records.

Down Boy by Holly Valance

Following her first No 1 smash hit Kiss Kiss - which sold over 350,000 copies in the UK and her swift follow-up No 2 single - Down Boy, this third single looks set to thrill pop fans once again.

Taken from her eagerly awaited debut album Footprints - which has just gone straight into the Top 10 of the album charts - the track is an inviting mix of pop, dance and r&b.

Debut Album

Footprints features pop, r&b and drum n’ bass to create a collection that is as varied as it is addictive. Collaborators on the album include legendary producer Nellee Hooper - who focuses his skills on three tracks (Down Boy, Tuck Your Shirt In and All In The Mind).

Other big gun collaborators on the album include Rob Davis (who has worked with Kylie),Phil Thornalley and even Biff & Julian (last seen working with the likes of The Spice Girls).

Holly certainly wears her love of Basement Jaxx, Paul Oakenfold and Missy Elliot - as well as classic pop - thoroughly on her sleeve in these tracks. It seems that music, rather than acting is her first love, performance-wise. She says: "If I could have picked my career from the start, I would have gone straight into singing."

"I love music"

"I love music, and I’m very passionate about it. Singing is such a cool experience because you can really touch people with songs and music."

Holly was born in Melbourne 1983, to an English mother and Yugoslavian father. Broadcast in over 50 countries, Neighbours also set Holly on the road to reaching cult status, and becoming an international sex symbol. 2002 has seen Holly win the GQ 'Woman Of The Year' Award, 'Wella Hot Look Of The Year' at the Elle Style Awards and Best Female Artist at the Disney Awards. Holly has also been named as one of pop's "Most Fanciable" Females after being shortlisted for awards in 4 categories at the Smash Hits Poll Winner's Party.

Her first single - Kiss Kiss was doubly notable - because it was the dawn of a new pop career for the actress already famous to millions Felicity 'Flick' Scully from TV's most popular Australian sop.

Holly herself comes across as smart, funny, and mature beyond her years - a long way from the ditzy character she played in Neighbours - and is an independent gal who moved away from home when she was just 16.

Free Spirit

"I've always been my own little free spirit," she says. "I was financially stable enough to do so." And singing, not acting, is her first love. She's been doing it all her life. "For me, it's not that big a change," says Holly. "Now I'm being recognised on the streets by people who really like the songs, which is good. Music is more me. It's what I really like doing. It's what I can really get my teeth into."

Kiss Kiss reworked a Turkish hit single with a brisk rub down and a taste of the r n' b flavours Holly loves so much. This exotic fusion is what makes it so refreshing.

"That's why I liked it, I love all that sort of music," grins Holly. "I've got a Yugoslav background so it's not that different to what you hear at family parties." Her debut album, though, covers all bases - from r n' b styles through to guitar-based numbers."

Modelling

Both Holly's parents are former models - which is why she was modeling herself by the age of 12. "I was always around people from the industry," she says. "I didn't take it very seriously. If a 13-year-old can earn 300 bucks an hour, why not?" But both parents are also deadly serious about music. Holly's dad Ryko is an accomplished jazz guitarist and pianist. Her mother Rachel is a fanatic music fan who has always kept her daughter ahead of the latest trends: from Soul II Soul through to American trance wonder BT to Marilyn Manson and Slayer!

Holly is as talented a singer as she is an actress, but despite her sun-kissed good looks, she’s as much a breath of fresh air as her hit. Holly’s the kind of star everyone can relate to – an unpretentious, wise-cracking, independent-minded young woman who enjoys swimming near her Brighton Beach home in Melbourne, kickboxing, and hanging out with her mates. It's jeans and boots for Holly, not designer gear.

The visually stunning video to Kiss, Kiss showcased a sexier image for Holly - but she knew she had to signal her change in career. "We had to get as far away from the Neighbours thing as possible - and I don't think you can get much further away from the good little girl in her school dress in Erinsborough," she says.

Holly's movie star looks have also set pulses racing on the pages of men's magazines and tabloid newspapers - but she's no diva, and her feet are firmly on the ground. "I don't think there's anything wrong with doing flattering, womanly shots in a bikini," she says. "I don't have a problem with that. There's nothing distasteful."

Her parents divorced when she was four, but a happy family and a positive relationship between her parents has kept her grounded. "I have the biggest extended family," she says. "It's really hard to explain unless I draw it."

Limelight

Being in the limelight since the age of 12 hasn't affected Holly's breezy, down to earth personality. She nearly didn't take the Neighbours part she was offered after a series of auditions at 15. "I knew how much everything would change. I didn't want to be famous, I didn't care about that side of things."

Luckily Holly's parents made her see sense. "They knew I could set myself up." They’ve also given her a taste of hard work and a head for the pressures of stardom. Which means no matter how hectic things get, Holly never loses her head. "I prefer it when everything's going wrong, and it's chaotic," she grins. Holly's move into music is already proving to be a breeze. And as you can see, she's already used to causing a stir wherever she goes.

Tabloid The News Of The World even placed her at the top of their yearly list of 'The 50 Sexiest Women In The World'. Guess who was No.1? Holly beat of some stiff competition to win this last accolade, including: Claudia Schiffer, 'Buffy The Vampire Slayer' herself - Sarah Michelle Gellar - Caprice, Destiny's Child chanteuse Beyonce Knowles and latest Bond girl Halle Berry.

Superstar Producers

Naughty Girl was produced by Phil Thornalley - who has worked with the likes of another ex-Australian soap star, Natalie Imbruglia, as well as Ronan Keating - and was written by Black, Costi, Taliaferro and Ffrench.

One of the real stand-out tracks from Holly’s sensational album the track comes with another striking video which may just win her another legion of fans!

Down Boy is in the shops now. For more information Holly Valance, visit her official website: www.hollyvalance.com

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