1. Film

2. Personal life
    Breast Cancer 

3. Recognition and awards

4. Discography

5. References

6. External links

The Topp Twins (born 14 May 1958, Huntly, New Zealand)^[1] are the folk singing and activist sister comedy duo of New Zealand entertainers Jools and Lynda Topp. They are known for their country music influenced style, live shows and television performances. They often perform as characters, the most notable being the roles Ken & Ken, and Camp Mother & Camp Leader.^[2]

The Topp Twins have performed as a country music-singing comedy duo for more than 30 years. In the late 1990s, they created their own TV series, which ran for three seasons and showcased their iconic cast of New Zealand characters, including Camp Mother & Camp Leader, the Bowling Ladies and Ken & Ken, roles for which they cross-dressed as 'typical kiwi blokes'.^[3] The series won the twins several awards at the New Zealand Film and Television Awards and screened on the ABC and Foxtel networks in Australia.

Film

A documentary feature film about the sisters titled Untouchable Girls, directed by Leanne Pooley, was released in April 2009. It broke all previous records for opening day, and opening weekend, for a NZ documentary. After just four weeks at the box office, it made over $1 million. As of 2011, it has made over $1.82 million in worldwide box office sales.^[4] The movie was produced by Arani Cuthbert. The cinematographer was Leon Narbey.^[5] It was well received and has been shown at numerous film festivals worldwide,^[6] winning awards at the Toronto International Film Festival, Melbourne International Film Festival, Göteborg International Film Festival,^[7] Portland International Film Festival and the 2009 New Zealand Film and Television Awards.^[8]

Personal life

Both Jools and Lynda are openly lesbian.^[9] In March 2013, Lynda married her long-time partner Donna Luxton, a preschool teacher.^[10][11] At the time of their marriage, same-sex marriage was not legal in New Zealand, so the couple entered into a civil union as a substitute for marriage.^[11] Same-sex marriage was made legal in New Zealand just a few months after the wedding.^[12]

Before the third reading of the Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Bill, which ultimately passed and legalized same-sex marriage in New Zealand, the Topp Twins publicly endorsed the bill in a post on their website.^[13] In a statement, Lynda said, "Everybody should be able to stand up and say 'I'm getting married'. A Civil Union is demeaning, this idea that you will never be good enough, that your love is somehow less than or not as worthy. There's no romance to it. And today, I feel more romantic and more in love than I've ever felt in my life."^[12]

Breast Cancer

Jools Topp was diagnosed with breast cancer in October 2006 at the age of 48. Originally examined by a physician in January 2006, nothing was done as it was not detected by a mammogram. Topp was diagnosed seven months later when the breast cancer showed up with an ultrasound exam. She recovered well after receiving a mastectomy in October 2006 and several months of chemotherapy.

She and her sister Lynda were already breast cancer activists and continue to use their celebrity status to educate the public about the disease.

Recognition and awards

In 1984 the Topp Twins were named NZOA Group of the Year.

Lynda and Jools Topp were made Members of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) in 2004.

They were inducted into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame at the APRA Silver Scroll Awards in Auckland in September 2008.^[14] This award was given as a lifetime achievement award for songwriting, and the fact that their songs and music have influenced New Zealand culture during their careers which span more than 25 years.

They were presented with the Rielly Comedy Award from the Variety Artists Club of New Zealand in 2009.

In 2010 Wintec awarded the twins honorary masters degrees. In 2011, Waikato University awarded them honorary doctorates.^[15]

In the 2018 Queen's Birthday Honours, both Lynda and Jools Topp were appointed Dames Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to entertainment.^[16][17]

Discography

• The Topp Twins Go Vinyl (1982) Vinyl record
• The Topp Twins Go Vinyl (1982, official Nuclear Free re-issue, plus two extra songs). Vinyl record
• Two tracks on Out of the Corners (Web Women's Collective, 1982)
• Twinset and Pearls (1984) Vinyl record
• No War in My Heart (1986) cassette
• Wear Something Sexy (1990) cassette EP
• Hightime (1992) cassette
• Two Timing (1994) CD
• Grass Highway (2000) CD
• Flowergirls & Cowgirls (2005) CD
• Honky Tonk Angel (2009) CD

References

External links

• {{Official website|http://topptwins.com}}
• Topp Twins TV show on NZ On Screen.
• Biography of Jools Topp
• Biography of Lynda Topp
• {{AllMusic|id=mn0000920231|title=Topp Twins}}
• {{Discogs artist}}

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