Tina Arena has spoken publicly for the first time about her ex-husband Ralph Carr’s rape conviction.
The Australian music icon made the comments at the world premiere of her new documentary Tina Arena: Unravel Me at the Melbourne International Film Festival on Wednesday night.
Tina Arena attended the world premiere of her new documentary Tina Arena: Unravel Me at The Astor Theatre during the Melbourne International Film Festival. Supplied/Nick Robertson
The comments come more than a week after Carr was unmasked as a convicted rapist, following the lifting of a long-standing suppression order protecting his identity.
Arena wore an all-white suit to walk the red carpet at the Astor Theatre, where she fronted the media before the screening.
But it was an on-stage Q&A on-stage after the premiere where Arena addressed “the elephant in the room”, where she said she was a strong believer in karma.
“You reap what you sow so now he’s reaping what he sowed,” Arena said.
“I believe that justice has been done and the right thing has happened.”
Arena no longer speaks to Carr, whom she was married to for four years, with the pair divorcing in 1999. (Photographed together in 1993) Rodger Cummins
Arena said she did not know her ex-husband’s victim, who remains legally anonymous, but the singer praised the woman’s courage in coming forward.
“I don’t know her name, I have never met her [but] my heart goes out to her, to her mum, her family for having the unbelievable courage to come forward in unbelievably complicated circumstances,” Arena said.
“So first and foremost a big thank you to you, whoever you are darling, wherever you are, a big thank you, not only from me but a big thank you from a lot of people.”
Carr was once a high-profile agent and behind the careers of former AFL player Dustin Martin, singer Kate Ceberano and his ex-wife, among others.
Carr (pictured in July) was once a high-profile agent and behind the careers of former AFL player Dustin Martin, singer Kate Ceberano and his ex-wife among others. Luis Enrique Ascui
Arena no longer speaks to Carr, whom she was married to for four years, before the pair divorced in 1999.
However, she speaks about him in the 86-minute film and he appears in the archival footage used.
Arena, a former child star, said now at 58 years old she felt like it was the right time to share her story of growing up in the spotlight.
“Because I’ve had a life that’s been lived,” Arena told podcast Curtain Call with Sim on the red carpet.
Arena was supported by some famous faces, including singer Anthony Callea (pictured), TV personality Julia Morris and celebrity chef Anna Polyviou. Supplied/Nick Robertson
“So now’s the time to tell the story – once you’ve lived more than half your life, it’s probably a good time to start telling your story, right? I was a bit young before, but I think now’s just the right time.”
Arena was supported by some famous faces, including singer Anthony Callea, TV personality Julia Morris and celebrity chef Anna Polyviou.