Table of Biography
Early Life and Childhood
Shirlie Kemp(neé Holliman) was born on 18 April 1962. At present, she is 61 years old and her birth sign is Aries. She is originally from Bushey Heath, Hertfordshire, England. Moreover, she was the fourth child of five born to Arthur and Margaret Holliman.
This personality intended to train as a horse riding instructor, but after she developed hay fever at age 18. And, with nothing else to do, Shirlie’s then-boyfriend Andrew Ridgeley suggested she come and dance while he and his friend George Michael’s band played a local gig.
Caption: Shirlie Holliman’s childhood picture. Source: Instagram
Career and Professional Life
Shirlie was never a band member of what became Wham! But, like her friend Dee C. Lee, she was paid on a per-performance basis as a backing singer. And, after Lee left to join the Style Council and later marry its lead singer, Paul Weller, Shirlie was replaced by “Pepsi” DeMacque and this duo performed on All the Wham! songs and concerts.
Moreover, as George Michael desired to create music targeted at a more sophisticated audience than Wham!’s teenage fan base, the announcement of Wham!’s break-up was made in the spring of the year 1986. Therefore, with a grand finale concert at Wembley Stadium on 28 June 1986, called ‘The Final’. Likewise, during their Wham! career, she and DeMacque decided to form their act, named Pepsi & Shirlie.
Therefore, created immediately after the Wembley concert with an upbeat and more pop genre sound, they had two UK top 10 hits: “Heartache”, which was produced by Phil Fearon, and Tambi Fernando, reaching #2 on the UK Singles Chart behind the #1 hit of George Michael. Similarly, Aretha Franklin’s “I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)”, and “Goodbye Stranger”, produced by Tambi Fernando and Pete Hammond, reached #9.
Caption: Shirlie Holliman performing along with her band members. Source: The Sun
More
Furthermore, the duo with DeMacque went on hiatus in the year 1989 but briefly returned in 2000 to record backing vocals on the UK number-one Geri Halliwell hit “Bag It Up”. They also reunited to perform for the ‘Here and Now 10th Anniversary tour’ which started on 24 June 2011. Likewise, on 29 November 2002, she was a backup vocalist in the Concert for George, a concert celebrating the music of the late George Harrison.
Furthermore, in November 2019, Shirlie and her husband released their first album together as Martin & Shirlie, titled In the Swing of It via Sony Music. Moreover, the album contains duet covers of classic jazz standards plus two original songs written by their daughter Harleymoon Kemp. Additionally, she retired from steady performance after the birth of her daughter.
After Shirlie took time out from work to care for her husband through his illness with brain tumors, she was declared bankrupt in September 1996. And, along with her family moved from Hampstead Heath to Muswell Hill to allow Kemp to recover. Then, she went to work managing Aegean, a business associated with music and entertainment production. Similarly, in October 2020, she with her husband published ‘Shirlie and Martin Kemp: It’s a Love Story,’ an autobiography-come-relationship advice book.
Moreover, the Kemps said the book was published in response to “growing media interest” in the couple’s long-lasting relationship. Furthermore, in the year 2021, she appeared with her son in the documentary ‘Roman Kemp: Our Silent Emergency’ in which Kemp revealed that he came close to attempting suicide after battling depression for 13 years.
Brand Endorsements
Like any other public figure, Shirlie Holliman has also endorsed or advertised different products places, or things from different brands. And, some of her recently endorsed products or places are Mission EmployAble, @lovefoodibiza, The National Garden Scheme, Selina Lake, Peter Beales Roses Ltd, and many more. Additionally, she is the creator of Maison #9 by Shirlie Kemp (@maisonnumber9).
Personal Life
This personality married Spandau Ballet bassist and singer, Martin Kemp. She met Kemp through mutual friend George Michael, and the duo married in St. Lucia in the year 1988. The two have two children: daughter Harley Moon Kemp (born August 1989), and son Roman Kemp (born January 1993). She and her daughter Harley had brief roles together in the music video for the Spice Girls’ “Mama”.
Caption: Shirlie Holliman and her husband. Source: Instagram
Body Measurements
This personality is a gorgeous woman. Shirlie Holliman has a set of hazel eyes and blonde hair. She has a good height and moderate weight but her measurements are unavailable at the moment. Similarly, her other body stats including her chest-waist-hip, dress size, etc are also unavailable.
Shirlie Holliman – Social Media
Her Instagram account ‘@shirliekemp’ has gained over 174K followers. She has earned over 56.7K followers on her Twitter account. Similarly, her Facebook page has amassed over 1.2K followers.
Shirlie Holliman – Net Worth 2024
Throughout her whole career, Shirlie Holliman has gained massive recognition from her fans because of her singing abilities. However, this personality has not publicly announced her net worth and other earnings.