Amy Shark (born Amy Louise Billings on May 14, 1986) is an Australian indie-pop singer-songwriter from the Gold Coast, Queensland. She first broke through in 2016 with the single “Adore,” which peaked at #3 on the ARIA Singles Chart. Her debut album Love Monster (2018) hit #1 on the ARIA Albums Chart and spawned multiple hit singles. Shark has won eight ARIA Music Awards (from 29 nominations), including Album of the Year for Love Monster in 2018. She has also earned APRA songwriting awards and won a 2023 TV Week Logie Award for Most Popular Talent.
Raised on Queensland’s Gold Coast, she began making music in her teens under the name Amy Cushway. From 2008–2012 she performed locally in acoustic gigs and released early EPs as Amy Cushway. In 2013 she adopted the stage name Amy Shark, inspired by the movie Jaws, and launched a new career path. Her solo EP Night Thinker (2017) drew national attention, and her breakout single “Adore” (2016) put her on the charts.
Early Life & Background
Shark was born and raised on the Gold Coast. Her mother Robyn remarried, and Amy was raised there with her stepfather David Cushway and a younger half-sibling. She attended Southport State High School, where she performed in theatre and played guitar in bands. Amy’s early jobs included selling T-shirts and even editing video for the Gold Coast Titans rugby league team. She met her future husband at the Titans – in fact, as noted in one interview, her now-husband Shane Billings secretly applied for a grant that led to recording “Adore” and later became her manager.
Music Career
After initial efforts as Amy Cushway, Amy Shark’s career accelerated post-2013. In 2016 she released “Adore,” a dramatic pop ballad that became a nationwide hit. Over the next years she released three major studio albums:
- Love Monster (2018): Debut album that debuted at #1 on the ARIA chart. It earned Amy four ARIA Awards in 2018 (including Album of the Year, Best Female Artist and Best Pop Release).
- Cry Forever (2021): Second album, which also reached #1 on the ARIA Albums Chart (holding the top spot for multiple weeks). Its singles (like “Everybody Rise”) continued her pop success.
- Sunday Sadness (2024): Third studio album, released on August 9, 2024. It included singles like “Beautiful Eyes” and received ARIA nominations (Album of the Year, Best Pop Release, Best Solo Artist).
Her discography also includes acclaimed EPs (e.g. Night Thinker, 2017) and many singles. In addition to her own albums, Shark has collaborated with international stars – for example, she co-wrote songs with Ed Sheeran and has recorded tracks with Keith Urban and Blink-182’s Travis Barker. She has toured extensively: in 2022 her “See U Somewhere” tour took her across Australia (over 60 dates) and abroad. Amy Shark’s style is known for earnest, emotional lyrics and a strong pop-rock sensibility, often writing about her personal experiences and struggles.
- Notable Awards and Achievements: Aside from her ARIAs, Amy Shark has earned over 30 award wins in total, including a Rolling Stone Australia Award and four APRA songwriting honors. In 2023 she won a Logie Award for Most Popular Talent for her work on television.
- Social Media & Public Profile: Shark maintains an active online presence, regularly updating fans on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook with tour news, behind-the-scenes posts and new music announcements. (For example, her official Instagram handle is @amyshark, with hundreds of thousands of followers.) She also engages with fans through her website and streaming platforms.
Television & Appearances
Amy Shark has expanded beyond music into television. In 2022 she appeared on the Australian version of Celebrity Apprentice, competing alongside actors and sports stars. She was a fan favorite and helped raise A$20,000 for the music-industry charity Support Act.
In 2023 Amy Shark joined the judging panel of Channel 7’s revived Australian Idol. Her fellow judges have included longtime personality Kyle Sandilands and international pop star Meghan Trainor (as well as Harry Connick Jr. in the first season). Viewers have noted Shark’s kind and encouraging style on the show. Australian Idol returned for its 2026 season with Amy Shark again on the panel, this time joined by Marcia Hines and Kyle Sandilands. Through her TV roles and tours, Shark has become a familiar face on Australian entertainment television.
Personal Life
Amy Shark is married to Shane Billings, her longtime manager. The couple met in 2007 at their jobs with the Titans club and married in May 2013. They have no children. Her background (Hungarian and English descent) and her earlier stage name (Amy Cushway) are sometimes mentioned in interviews, but she generally keeps her private life out of the spotlight. (Her net worth and exact height are not publicly disclosed.) As of 2024 she is 39 years old.
Public Interest
Amy Shark’s career and upcoming projects often drive search interest. Fans frequently look up her latest singles, her role on Australian Idol, and details of her albums and tours. Google searches often include “Amy Shark new album”, “Amy Shark Australian Idol”, “Amy Shark age” and “Amy Shark husband”. She remains one of Australia’s prominent contemporary musicians and social media figures. Her third album Sunday Sadness and Idol judging have both been widely covered in entertainment news.
FAQ
- Who is Amy Shark? A Gold Coast-born singer-songwriter (real name Amy Billings) known for hits like “Adore” (2016) and albums Love Monster and Cry Forever. She’s also an Australian Idol judge and TV personality.
- How old is Amy Shark? She was born 14 May 1986, so she is 39 years old as of 2025.
- What is Amy Shark known for? Hits: “Adore” (#3 ARIA, 2016), “I Said Hi”, “Everybody Rise” (2020) and albums Love Monster (2018) and Cry Forever (2021), both ARIA #1 albums. She’s also known for her creative music videos and as a judge on Australian Idol.
- Is Amy Shark married? Yes. She married her husband (and manager) Shane Billings in 2013.
- Is Amy Shark on Australian Idol? Yes. Amy Shark joined Australian Idol as a judge in 2023 and continues on the panel for the 2026 season.
- Has Amy Shark won awards? Yes. She has won 8 ARIA Music Awards (from 29 nominations), plus multiple other music awards and a Logie (2023) for her television work.
- What albums has Amy Shark released? She has released three studio albums to date: Love Monster (2018), Cry Forever (2021), and Sunday Sadness (2024). All have been commercially successful in Australia.
- Where can I follow Amy Shark? She is active on social media under the handle “amyshark” on Instagram and other platforms, sharing updates and interacting with fans.
Amy Shark’s journey from Gold Coast indie artist to national pop star and TV personality is well-documented and continues to evolve. Keep up with her latest music and appearances through official news and her social media.
Cover photo: Bruce from Sydney, Australia, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons