Talking to Stephanie McIntosh at the AACTA Festival Awards Industry Gala, you’re reminded just how fluid her career has always been – and how thoughtfully she reflects on it. From her breakthrough years on Neighbours and her pioneering pop album, Tightrope, to the accompanying televisual journey The Steph Show that felt almost ahead of its time, McIntosh has continually moved between music, television, and film with a quiet curiosity and openness.
Over the course of her conversation with our Peter Gray at the event, she spoke candidly about why her debut album still resonates so deeply with listeners – including those who found comfort in it while coming to terms with their own identities. McIntosh also teased what a potential return to music might sound like, her flirtation with a country sound, and why she’s “pop at heart,” while reflecting on how motherhood and a new era of Australian filmmaking are shaping the stories she wants to tell next.
Stephanie McIntosh, I can’t go without telling you how great your album Tightrope is. “Overcome,” such a track.
I love that you know all the songs! “Overcome” is a great track. That was a Peter Zizzo song – he worked with so many amazing artists. I was really fortunate with that album.
At the time, I was in my early twenties and still finding myself. That music takes me back to a very specific period where I felt really supported and was figuring out who I was.
Hearing that it meant something to you honestly means so much to me. I’ve had that feedback a bit, especially from men who went through similar experiences with their sexuality growing up. It feels like such a privilege that people connected with it that way. I really miss making music like that – I think I need to get back on the horse.
A lot of artists are returning to music after long breaks. We’re ready for a Stephanie McIntosh comeback!
(Laughs) Are we? Are we here for it?
If you were to return to music, is there a sound you’d like to explore?
I’d probably be more confident in my decisions this time around. I was incredibly blessed with the team I worked with before – Tom Nichols, Desmond Child… you can’t really get better than that. I’m still very much pop at heart – that’s always going to be in me – but I’ve also been intrigued by country pop lately. My dad has always told me to go country, so maybe there’s something there. Taylor Swift obviously paved that path, and I loved Kelly Clarkson too. But let’s be honest, I’ll always love a good pop banger.
If you do come back, can we please have songs longer than two minutes? I miss three-and-a-half-minute pop songs!
I think I only had one under three minutes?
Here’s where I’m going to be that fan, because I know “God Only Knows” was the only one under three minutes.
Honestly, I’m floored right now, you’ve made my year. The fact that you know the album that well really means a lot.
When you made the album, you also had The Steph Show. Would you ever do something like that again?
Potentially. In hindsight, I think it was a little ahead of its time. Imagine having that show now, with social media, it would be a completely different experience. At the time, we ran with every opportunity, which was amazing, but maybe a little premature. I’d have a much clearer sense now of what I’d want to share and my mental space around it. I’d definitely be open to it if the right opportunity came along.
Looking at your career more broadly, is there a story or type of project you’re really eager to work on?
My friend Dylan, who’s a beautiful filmmaker, and I recently got shortlisted for the Big Film Short Film Festival in Sydney, Tropfest, so we’re excited about that. There’s so much talent in Australia right now, and I’m really keen to collaborate more with people I know and admire here. I’m ready for a new era and to put myself out there again for all kinds of storytelling.
Is there a genre you’d particularly like to explore?
This sounds cliché, but I feel very at ease in the dramatic realm. Especially now as a mum – I have two daughters – emotionally, that space feels very close to me. I was really lucky on Neighbours with my character Sky, especially with her same-sex relationship storyline, which was quite groundbreaking at the time. That arc followed me throughout much of my time on the show and meant a lot to me. Now, I’m probably in my “mum era,” so I’m interested in stories that reflect that stage of life as well.
The AACTA Festival is currently running on the Gold Coast until 8th February, 2026. For more information, head to the official site here.
