Human Nature's Michael: Meet my baby girl!

Michael Tierney’s at the height of his career now that Human Nature has conquered the US. But for the singer, nothing compares to the elation of meeting his baby daughter for the first time.

The band’s youngest member has been on cloud nine since wife Andrea gave birth to Isabel Ellen Tierney at the St Rose Dominican Hospital in Nevada on July 10.

Weighing 3.4kg, Isabel’s arrival completes Michael and Andrea’s remarkable love story that began 17 years ago when they were high school students in Sydney.
‘Andrea and I have been together since I was 16 – and married for eight years – so were already a strong couple, but it’s amazing to think we’ve made another little person together,’ a beaming Michael says.
‘I can see Andrea in her, and to see someone you love in another little person
is a feeling that’s really hard to describe. It is so special.’

Michael, 33, and Andrea, 31, are clearly relishing their new role as parents when they introduce New Idea to their daughter at their lovely home, just outside of the bustling Las Vegas strip.

With its stylish nursery and tranquil pool area, it’s hard to believe their home is 15 minutes away from the bright lights of the hedonistic Sin City. The couple have been based in the US since Michael and his bandmates – brother Andrew Tierney, Phil Burton and Toby Allen – began a year-long residency at the Imperial Palace hotel and casino last year.

Their show, Smokey Robinson Presents Human Nature: The Ultimate Celebration of the Motown Sound, has been such a success that their residency has been extended until May 2012.

Vegas may be an unusual place to raise a baby, but Michael and Andrea are embracing their new life – with their American daughter.
‘Yes, she’s a little Yank,’ Michael laughs. ‘We’re going to have to push her through a different queue at immigration when we come home to Australia.’

Thankfully Michael, who performs six nights a week, was able to take a break from performing and recording a new album to prepare for fatherhood. Speech pathologist Andrea was induced the day before her due date and gave birth to the couple’s first child, named after Andrea’s aunt, after a 12-hour natural labour.
‘Andrea was amazing,’ Michael says. ‘It was pretty overwhelming. I was a bit stunned when Isabel first came out. It took a while to sink in that that was my daughter! But when I got to hold her, all the emotion just hit me at once.’

The couple, who didn’t find out their baby’s sex, were delighted when they learnt they’d added a second little girl to the Human Nature family – Phil and his wife Justine have daughter Willow, two.
‘I didn’t have a preference for a boy or a girl,’ Michael says. ‘I would have been happy so long as we had a healthy baby with 10 fingers and 10 toes. But we are thrilled to have a little girl. I think there is a special bond between daddies and their little girls.’

So did Phil dish out any advice? ‘Not really,’ Michael says. ‘He just said: “You will love it.” His little girl has grown up so fast, so seeing her you think: “Wow, time really goes by quickly.” So I’m just enjoying each day. Everyone says to enjoy it while it lasts.’

After 21 years together, the Human Nature boys are very close, which is important now they’re living so far from home. Michael’s brother Andrew is married to Andrea’s sister Heather and, along with Phil, Justine, Willow and Toby, the group is inseparable.
‘We all get to see each other a lot more here than at home in Oz,’ Michael says. ‘Over here it’s just us – we’re each other’s family.
‘I’m close to my brother. He and his wife have been coming over a lot to see Isabel.’

Having just announced their Direct From Las Vegas! Australian Symphony Tour, which kicks off in December, the boys are looking forward to an Aussie Christmas. Michael admits touring with a tot in tow will be a new experience, but he wouldn’t have it any other way.
‘I can’t remember what life was like before her,’ he says. ‘I look forward to waking up every day and seeing the little changes in her. I feel very lucky.’

By: Amy Mills
Photos: Caroline Greyshock, thehiltonmediagroup.com