Holly Valance first captured public attention in the late 1990s and early 2000s through her role as Flick Scully on the long-running Australian soap opera Neighbours. This breakthrough led to numerous television appearances and a successful music career, establishing her as a familiar face in entertainment circles. However, nearly three decades after her initial rise to fame, Valance has embarked on a dramatic career shift, reinventing herself as a vocal right-wing political activist.
A Dramatic Political Transformation
In recent years, Valance has publicly aligned herself with conservative causes and figures, marking a significant departure from her earlier public persona. She has become an outspoken supporter of Reform UK and has expressed solidarity with far-right, anti-Islamist campaigner Tommy Robinson. Valance has been candid about her reasons for leaving Australia, citing the country's embrace of what she terms 'woke stuff' as a primary motivation for her relocation.
Her political influence has grown to such an extent that there have been serious discussions about her potential candidacy as a Member of Parliament in the United Kingdom. Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, she has cultivated connections with American political figures, including former President Donald Trump, whom she has described in glowing terms as 'fabulous'.
From Liberal to Conservative Firebrand
This represents a remarkable transformation for the former performer, who has openly acknowledged that she once identified as a proud liberal. Valance attributes her political awakening to what she describes as becoming aware of the 'crap ideas' promoted by the political left, leading to her reinvention as a conservative commentator and activist.
Her controversial anti-woke song 'Kiss Kiss (XX) My A**e' briefly reached the number one position on the iTunes best-selling songs chart before being temporarily removed by Apple. This track serves as the soundtrack to Pauline Hanson's film A Super Progressive Movie and represents a reworked version of Valance's 2002 hit 'Kiss Kiss'. The lyrics directly address transgender issues, criticise so-called 'snowflakes', and take aim at cancel culture.
Controversial Statements and Public Backlash
Valance recently generated headlines for using derogatory language about people with learning disabilities during a discussion about pandemic responses. On the programme Free Speech Nation, she employed offensive terminology while making comparisons between different countries' approaches to COVID-19 restrictions. When challenged about her language choice, Valance responded defiantly, questioning whether the programme truly supported free speech principles.
Her emergence as a prominent figure in right-wing circles can be traced back to 2022, when Nigel Farage shared a photograph on social media depicting Valance meeting with Donald Trump at the Mar-a-Lago estate. This connection was facilitated through Farage, who extended an invitation to Valance and her then-husband, property billionaire Nick Candy, to visit Palm Beach, Florida. The dinner meeting provoked considerable backlash from some of her fans, who threatened to boycott her musical work.
Political Alliances and Influence
Farage has revealed that Valance's political views did not surprise him, as they had been discussing such matters for approximately a decade prior to her public declarations. He noted that she had maintained discretion about her political leanings for many years, cautioning her that once she went public with her views, there would be no turning back.
In an interview with GB News during Liz Truss's PopCon launch event in 2024, Valance elaborated on her political evolution, suggesting that many people begin with left-leaning perspectives before shifting to the right as they encounter practical realities of employment, business ownership, and property acquisition. During this same interview, she expressed support for Jacob Rees-Mogg as a potential Prime Minister.
Fundraising and Party Politics
Several months later, Valance hosted a fundraising event for Donald Trump's election campaign at a Chelsea townhouse, with Farage enthusiastically describing the occasion as 'a Holly party'. Valance has since claimed credit for influencing Farage's decision to stand as a parliamentary candidate in the General Election, stating she had been 'whispering in his ear for a long time' and made a substantial financial contribution to Reform UK when Farage announced his candidacy.
Her close relationship with the Clacton MP saw her deliver a speech at his 60th birthday celebration, where she praised him as 'one of the bravest men I know'. Interestingly, the Conservative Party had previously expressed interest in Valance standing as a parliamentary candidate, with insiders suggesting she could serve as a 'secret weapon' for the party in the 2024 elections.
Choosing Reform Over Conservatives
Valance ultimately declined the Conservative Party's overtures, instead declaring her intention to vote for Reform UK. She emphasised the importance of researching all political perspectives before aligning with the party whose values most closely matched her own. There were suggestions she might stand as a Reform candidate in the Conservative safe seat of Basildon and Billericay in Essex, but Valance declined due to logistical challenges as a mother of two.
Provocative Commentary and Personal Life
Valance further endeared herself to right-wing audiences with her criticism of climate activist Greta Thunberg, whom she described as a 'demonic little gremlin' during an appearance on Chopper's Political Podcast. She questioned why educational institutions would promote what she termed the 'high priestess of climatism', suggesting such focus contributed to anxiety and depression among young people.
The Melbourne-born actress, who grew up in Australia with her Serbian father and British mother, relocated to Britain in 2018. After a brief period in Los Angeles, she returned to the UK to live with her then-husband Nick Candy, from whom she separated last year after thirteen years of marriage.
Cultural Criticism and Career Evolution
Valance has stated she has no plans to return to Australia, lamenting what she perceives as the country's embrace of woke culture. She has expressed particular concern about educational approaches to sexuality, arguing that such discussions should not involve children and that personal sexuality should remain a private matter.
Beyond her early success on Neighbours, Valance appeared in several American television series and films including Taken, Entourage, and Prison Break. She semi-retired from acting in 2015, though made a brief return to Neighbours in 2022. Her television appearances also include participation in Strictly Come Dancing in 2011, where she reached the semi-finals with professional dancer Artem Chigvintsev.
Holly Valance's journey from soap opera star to political activist represents one of the most dramatic career transformations in recent British public life, reflecting broader cultural divisions and the increasing involvement of celebrities in political discourse.
