Shirlie Holliman is an English singer best known for rising to fame in the 1980s as a backing vocalist for Wham! and later as one-half of the chart-topping pop duo Pepsi & Shirlie. With her warm vocals, iconic style, and presence across some of the decade’s most memorable hits, she became a familiar face in British pop culture.
Beyond her musical success, Shirlie has built a life filled with family, resilience, and creative ventures, making her story one that spans far beyond her early stardom.
Early Life & Education, Parents
Shirlie Kemp, born Shirley Holliman on 18 April 1962 in Bushey, Hertfordshire, grew up as the fourth of five children in a close-knit family on a council estate. Her parents, Arthur and Margaret Holliman, worked hard to support their large household, and Shirlie often describes her upbringing as simple but full of love.
She originally planned to become a horse-riding instructor, but after developing severe hay fever at 18, that dream quickly faded. With no clear path ahead, her then-boyfriend, Andrew Ridgeley, encouraged her to join him and George Michael at a local gig and that spontaneous decision set her on the road to pop stardom.
Shirlie later became a mother to two children, Roman Kemp and Harley Moon Kemp, who have each built creative careers of their own.
| Full Name | Shirlie Kemp |
| Date of Birth | 18 April 1962 |
| Place of Birth | Bushey, United Kingdom |
| Nationality | British |
| Husband | Martin Kemp |
| Parents | Father: Arthur Holliman
Mother: Margaret Holliman |
| Children | Roman Kemp, Harley Moon Kemp |
| Net Worth | $5–7 million |
| Social Media | Instagram – Facebook – XTwitter |
Net Worth, Religion & Ethnicity
As of 2025, Shirlie Holliman has an estimated net worth of around $5–7 million, earned through her successful music career with Wham! and Pepsi & Shirlie, as well as later television projects, books, and appearances with her husband, Martin Kemp.
She identifies with Christian beliefs, having often spoken about the importance of family values and faith in her life. In terms of ethnicity, Shirlie is British and of white English heritage, born and raised in Hertfordshire to English parents.
Personal life, Husband & Relationships
Shirlie Holliman’s love life and family story are deeply tied to the world of ’80s pop. She first dated Andrew Ridgeley of Wham! for two years, describing him as fun and charismatic, but after their breakup, it was George Michael who encouraged her to call Martin Kemp from Spandau Ballet. That phone call changed her life.
Shirlie and Martin married in St. Lucia in 1988 and went on to build one of the most enduring marriages in British entertainment. They welcomed two children together: Harley Moon Kemp in 1989 and Roman Kemp in 1993. Shirlie later stepped back from performing to raise their family and care for Martin during his battle with brain tumours, a period that brought both hardship and deeper closeness.
Over the years, the couple have openly shared their journey from financial struggles to lasting love through books and documentaries, often appearing alongside their children, who have grown into careers of their own in music and broadcasting.
Height, Weight & Physical Appearance
Shirlie Holliman is known for her graceful and classic look. She stands around 5 feet 4 inches tall with a slim, elegant build. She has blonde hair, which has become one of her signature features over the years, and blue eyes.
Career Details
Shirlie Holliman’s career began when she joined Wham! as a backing singer, performing alongside her friend Dee C. Lee and later with Helen “Pepsi” DeMacque. Though she wasn’t an official band member, she became a familiar face on stage and in music videos. After Wham! ended in 1986, Shirlie and Pepsi formed the pop duo Pepsi & Shirlie, scoring major UK hits like “Heartache” and “Goodbye Stranger.”
They continued performing through the late ’80s and reunited occasionally for special projects, including backing vocals for Geri Halliwell’s No. 1 hit “Bag It Up.” Shirlie later performed at the Concert for George in 2002 and continued working in music.
In 2019, she and her husband, Martin Kemp, released a jazz-inspired duet album, In the Swing of It, featuring songs written by their daughter, Harley Moon. In 2023, she appeared with Martin on The Masked Singer UK as the duo “Cat & Mouse,” adding another fun chapter to her long and varied career.
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