Elly-May Barnes has always looked up to her father Jimmy Barnes

Elly-May Barnes is a musician, best known for signing backup for her dad, Jimmy Barnes. Here, the 35-year-old talks about wanting to be just like her famous father, meeting her celebrity childhood crush and having a song written for her by Neil Finn.

My maternal [step] grandfather John Mahoney was a career diplomat and an incredible man. He married my grandmother after she divorced, and brought her and my mum [Jane] to Australia at a time when you didn’t see many Asian families come to this country. It was a big move on his part, and he embraced a big family wholeheartedly.

My dad [Jimmy Barnes] and I have a special unspoken connection – we have a similar sense of humour and I love a dad joke! We have both been through a bit of trauma in our lives, but he doesn’t let it define him. He is kind, funny and my favourite person in the world.

When I was littleI wrote books of poetry and always looked to Dad with stars in my eyes as I really wanted to be like him. I nearly died when I was born, and at age three, was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. I am the youngest of four children and everyone says I got away with so much more than my siblings. My parents never made me feel any different.

My first crush was singer Daniel Johns from Silverchair when I was five. I loved the album Frogstomp and got to meet him as a child through my dad. He was very nice to me.

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My first boyfriend was a family friend. We dated for a few years when I was 13. I had known him my whole life, so it didn’t feel unusual at all to be around guys. I have always been monogamous. When I’m in love I am totally in that zone and don’t notice anybody else. Maybe I have listened to too many love songs in my life.

I dated Elroy Finnthe son of Neil and Sharon Finn for a few years. His parents are like my second parents. I left my private girl’s school in Sydney to do my final years in England. Elroy went over as well. He was my first real love.

Neil Finn wrote a song for me on my new album called She’s A Thought. He was in the middle of writing a new album and not something he would usually do randomly. But he sent me three songs, and I chose the one that resonated with me most. He did that out of love and kindness, and I am so grateful.