ARIA Hall of Famer Missy Higgins took to the stage with a powerful performance on Wednesday, delivering not just an emotional moment but a message to single mums.
Before her ARIAs performance, the Australian singer explained the track was inspired by her daughter, Luna.
Higgins recalled a moment in the car when her daughter asked her a question she didn’t know how to answer.
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“That day I wrote her a song,” she said. “It’s called Complicated Truth.”
The lyrics include the line “I’ll always love your daddy, ‘cause together we made you”, a nod to Higgins’ divorce from comedian and playwright Dan Lee.
In June 2022, Higgins posted on Instagram: “Six months ago Dan and I separated. I became a single parent.”
Following her performance, Higgins returned to the stage to claim her 12th ARIA award, winning Best Adult Contemporary Album.
The trophy was presented by singer Kate Ceberano.
Higgins’ previous accolades include 11 ARIAs and a Hall of Fame induction.
Melbourne pub rock revivalists Amyl and the Sniffers were the big winners on Wednesday, taking home four awards including the coveted Album of the Year trophy won by Higgins two decades previously.
Accepting her award, Higgins spoke candidly about the inspiration behind the chart-topping Second Act album, which she wrote and recorded in a small room in her home.
“This album was about my divorce a few years ago and becoming a single mum,” she said.
“Being a 42-year-old woman singing about divorce isn’t the sexiest thing in this industry.
“But the response has been incredible — it’s made me realise women my age don’t give a f*** about sexy.
“They just want to feel heard and seen.”
Higgins said she felt grateful to be able to tell those stories and intends to keep doing so.
“This is for all the single mums, and my babies Sammy and Luna,” she concluded.
“I love you.”
Backstage, she reflected on the night: “It’s the saddest song I’ve ever written, followed by the most exciting moment.”
She added that Second Act is the album she’s most proud of, describing the songwriting process as vulnerable, honest and raw.
Higgins said she planned to celebrate with a shot of tequila.
Full list of ARIA 2025 winners
Album of the Year
Amyl and The Sniffers — Cartoon Darkness [Amyl and The Sniffers / Virgin Music Group] – WINNER
Missy Higgins — The Second Act [Eleven Music / EMI Music Australia]
Ninajirachi — I Love My Computer [NLV Records]
RÜFÜS DU SOL — Inhale / Exhale [Rose Avenue Records / Warner Music Australasia]
Thelma Plum — I’m Sorry, Now Say It Back [Warner Music Australasia]
Song of the Year
The Kid LAROI — Girls [Columbia Records / Sony Music] – WINNER
Cyril, Maryjo — Still Into You [Warner Music Australasia / Spinnin Records]
Dean Lewis — With You [Island Records Australia / Universal Music Australia]
Dom Dolla Feat. Daya — Dreamin [Good Fortune Records]
FISHER — Stay [etcetc Music Pty Ltd]
Gotye, FISHER, Chris Lake Feat. Kimbra, Sante Sansone — Somebody [Eleven: A Music Company / EMI Music Australia]
ONEFOUR, Nemzzz — Spinnin [ONEFOUR RECORDS / THE ORCHARD]
Royel Otis — Linger (SiriusXM Session) [Ourness]
Sonny Fodera, D.O.D & Jazzy — Somedays [Solotoko / ADA]
Tobiahs — Angel of Mine [Mushroom Music]
Best Solo Artist
Ninajirachi — I Love My Computer [NLV Records]
Best Australian Live Act
Troye Sivan — Something To Give Each Other Tour [Live Nation]
Best Rock Album
Amyl and The Sniffers — Cartoon Darkness [Amyl and The Sniffers / Virgin Music Group]
Best Soul / R&B Release
BOY SODA — Lil Obsession [Warner Music Australasia]
Michael Gudinski Breakthrough Artist
Ninajirachi — I Love My Computer [NLV Records]
Best Adult Contemporary Album
Missy Higgins — The Second Act [Eleven Music / EMI Music Australia]
Best World Music Album
Gurrumul — Banbirrngu — The Orchestral Sessions [Decca Australia & Skinnyfish / UMA]
Best Use of an Australian Recording in an Advertisement
Fox League 2025: Our Greats — Fox Sports Australia, 3% – WINNER
Best Independent Release
Ninajirachi — I Love My Computer [NLV Records]
Best Hip Hop / Rap Release
BARKAA — Big Tidda [Big Apples Music / Island Records Australia / Universal Music Australia]
Best Children’s Album
Emma Memma — Dance Island Party [GYROstream]
Most Popular International Artist
Taylor Swift — [Republic Records / Universal Music Australia]
Best Original Soundtrack or Musical Theatre Cast Album
Various Artists — How To Make Gravy [Origin Recordings]
Best Jazz Album
Lucy Clifford — Between Spaces of Knowing [ABC Jazz / The Orchard]
Best Classical Album
Andrea Lam — Piano Diary [ABC Classic / The Orchard]
Best Hard Rock / Heavy Metal Album
Thornhill — Bodies [UNFD / Community Music]
Producer — Best Produced Release
Kevin Parker for Tame Impala — End of Summer [Columbia Records / Sony Music]
Best Pop Release
Thelma Plum — I’m Sorry, Now Say It Back [Warner Music Australasia]
Best Cover Art
John Stewart for Amyl and The Sniffers — Cartoon Darkness [Amyl and The Sniffers / Virgin Music Group]
Engineer — Best Engineered Release
Kevin Parker for Tame Impala — End of Summer [Columbia Records / Sony Music]
Best Country Album
Kasey Chambers — Backbone [Essence Music Group / MGM]
Best Music Festival
Laneway Festival — St Jerome’s Laneway / Laneway Festival
Best Dance / Electronic Release
Dom Dolla — DREAMIN’ [Good Fortune Records]
Best Video
Dancing2 — Keli Holiday, Ryan Sauer [Keli Holiday / GYROstream]
Best Blues & Roots Album
The Teskey Brothers — Live At The Hammersmith Apollo [Mushroom Music]
Best Group
Amyl and The Sniffers — Cartoon Darkness [Amyl and The Sniffers / Virgin Music Group]
