Five decades have passed since Australian pop icon Tina Arena first appeared on television screens across the nation as "Tiny Tina".
Now the 57-year-old's image features in one of the nation's most prominent galleries.
A portrait of the pop star unveiled on Friday at the National Portrait Gallery, marking 50 years of Arena's career, was hung alongside artwork of other musical artists including Jimmy Barnes, Nick Cave and Olivia Newton-John.
Arena's Sicilian heritage shines through the diptych, which features two black-and-white photos of the star wearing a black leather suit.
"It's probably one of the biggest moments of my life, because what it actually symbolises and signifies: it is the contribution that has been made to the cultural landscape of Australia, which consists of many different people," Arena said.
She believes the portrait sends an important message for women in the Australian music industry.
"It is a country that has always inherently, not typically, really celebrated females in lots of different things, and particularly music," she said.
"I hope that this is the beginning of many more women in different domains that can come out, and feel really comfortable and not feel like they're second class to anybody else."
Arena has captured Australian hearts throughout her impressive tenure in the entertainment and music industry - from child performer, to recording artist and musical theatre performer.
After leaving the television variety show Young Talent Time at 16, Arena forged a solo career.
She has sold 10 million albums worldwide, been inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame and released Australia's highest selling album in 1995, Don't Ask.
"I actually don't know how I've survived, other than the fact that I have an incredible family who have loved and supported me and also been very honest with me," Arena said.
Her images were taken by renowned Australian fashion photographer Georges Antoni, who has previously captured stars including Kylie Minogue, Naomi Campbell and Simon Baker.
Antoni said Arena was nothing short of an icon in his home growing up with three sisters.
"Given my respect and admiration for Tina, it was a daunting prospect to capture her in a way befitting her incredible legacy," he said on Friday.
"Thankfully, her gorgeous personality is as captivating as her stage presence and within a relatively short amount of time I felt like I had known her forever.
The portrait will be on display at the gallery from Saturday.
