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When Missy Higgins released her debut album, The Sound of White, at 21, it became an instant hit, propelling her to stardom with its raw, confessional lyrics that resonated deeply with listeners. Now, nearly two decades later, Higgins, 40, remains a fixture in the Australian music scene, not just for her soulful melodies but also for the public’s fascination with her personal life.
As Higgins prepares for her upcoming national tour, she is also set to appear on Australian Story. In the episode, titled ‘This Is How It Goes: Missy Higgins’, she will reflect on the highs and lows of her journey, including the recent dissolution of her marriage to playwright Dan Lee. Presented by Leigh Sales, this candid episode promises to give fans a deeper understanding of the artist behind the music.
How did Missy Higgins meet her husband, Dan Lee?
Missy Higgins’ relationship with Dan Lee began in 2013 in the most unexpected of places—at a friend’s wedding in Broome. The two were drawn together when they ended up singing a duet of Kiss’ ‘I Was Made For Lovin’ You,’ sparking a connection that quickly blossomed into love. Just eight months later, they were engaged, and in January 2015, they welcomed their first child, Samuel. The couple tied the knot in a relaxed farm wedding in Victoria in March 2016, with Higgins walking down the aisle to Colin Hay’s ‘Waiting For My Real Life To Begin.’
Reflecting on her choice of wedding music, Higgins noted that it symbolized her hopes for the future. “I did feel like I was waiting for my real life to begin, in a way,” she told Zan Rowe’s Take 5 program in 2023. “I’m on the edge of starting the life that I’ve dreamed of—being in a relationship, having kids, and having ‘the family.'”
What happened to Missy Higgins’ marriage?
Despite the fairy tale beginning, Higgins and Lee’s marriage eventually came to an end in 2022. Higgins candidly shared the pain of this experience on social media, writing, “The shame of a ‘failed marriage,’ a ‘broken family,’ all the things I swore I would never let happen, happened. I was so determined for this not to be my story.”
Higgins has been open about the difficulty of accepting this new reality, admitting that she still grieves the loss of the life she had envisioned. “I’m still grieving,” she revealed. “Grieving the way I thought things would turn out. Grieving the never-ending storybook love story I will never have.”
Despite the pain, Higgins and Lee have managed to maintain an amicable relationship as they co-parent their two children, Samuel and Luna. Higgins expressed gratitude for the love and respect that still exists between them, noting that their separation, while difficult, is something she can now see as a point of pride rather than failure.
How did Missy Higgins navigate speculation about her sexuality?
Higgins has also faced intense public scrutiny regarding her sexuality, particularly during her early years in the spotlight. At the height of her fame, she was still coming to terms with her identity, and the constant questioning from the media took its toll. “Everyone was speculating about my sexuality, which was such a personal thing, and such a thing I was grappling with,” she recalled in a previous interview for Anh’s Brush with Fame. The pressure to label herself led Higgins to shut down emotionally during interviews, as she struggled to protect her privacy.
During this period, while touring in America, Higgins fell in love with her tour manager, marking her first relationship with a woman. The two kept their romance private, not even sharing it with the rest of the band. “Neither of us had ‘come out,’ we didn’t know if it was anybody else’s business, and we kind of didn’t want it to be anybody’s business because it was this beautiful thing between us,” Higgins told Rowe on Take 5 in 2022. This relationship would later inspire her hit song ‘Scar,’ which she describes as a reflection of her journey to discover her true self.
What can fans expect from Missy Higgins’ upcoming pour?
Higgins’ national tour, which celebrates the 20th anniversary of The Sound of White, promises to be an emotionally charged experience for fans. She has hinted that her new single, ‘You Should Run,’ is deeply personal, touching on themes of love, loss, and self-discovery. As Higgins continues to navigate her “new normal,” she remains committed to sharing her journey through her music, connecting with audiences on a deeply personal level. You can find tickets to her Australian dates and presale information, here.
Her upcoming appearance on Australian Story is expected to shed even more light on her life, offering viewers an intimate glimpse into the woman behind the music. Watch her episode on Monday 2 September at 8pm on ABC TV and ABC iview.
