06-05-2025
Aussie star who toured with Michael Jackson looks completely unrecognisable in new photos as she embarks on tour
She's the Aussie guitar goddess who once rocked the stage with Prince and Michael Jackson.
But Orianthi looked worlds away from her edgy rocker roots in stunning new photos.
The Adelaide-born musician, who turned 40 in January, left fans stunned after sharing some glamorous new photos to social media.
In one picture, the According To You star exuded style and sophistication as she posed with an electric guitar.
Wearing a plunging white blazer dress and thigh-high boots, Orianthi oozed confidence as she struck a sultry pose against a purple-lit backdrop.
The guitarist, who rose to global fame after being handpicked by Michael Jackson for his ill-fated This Is It tour, has always embraced a glamorous rock-chic style.
But her latest look – complete with flawless skin, plump lips, and perfectly styled locks – has left fans doing a double take.
She looked almost unrecognisable from her earlier days on stage, where she was known for her edgy eyeliner, tousled beachy hair and more laid-back fashion.
However, she still sported the same cheeky grin and slick aviator sunglasses she rocked in the early 2000s.
The performer is currently touring across the US and Europe and wowed fans with highlights from some of her recent concerts.
Orianthi rose to fame in 2009 for her blistering guitar solo while supporting Carrie Underwood at the Grammy Awards and for being chosen as Michael Jackson's lead guitarist for his This Is It tour, which was ultimately cancelled due to his death.
She has released five studio albums, with her most recent, titled Rock Candy, releasing in 2022.
In 2018, Bon Jovi alum Richie Sambora and Orianthi ended their four-year relationship, but they made clear they would still be working together musically.
The New Jersey-born Grammy winner is 26 years older than his Australian girlfriend (last name Panagaris) and, collectively, their band is known as RSO.
'Thank [you] to all our fans who have bought the new RSO record [Radio Free America, which dropped in May] and attended our shows, we love and appreciate you all,' the musician duo told TMZ in a statement.
'We love and support each other but are taking the summer off to focus on family and other endeavours. We will regroup in the near future with our music. Peace and love to you all and thank you for your continued support.'
Richie loved that Orianthi had 'a lot of soul for someone so young' and they became a couple immediately upon meeting through her former employer, Alice Cooper.
'There was no hesitation with anything,' Sambora gushed to Guitar World back in October 2017.
'We dove right in and became a couple right away. We didn't really think, "Oh, we should keep the musical and personal things separate".'
The wig-loving blonde - who also used to work for Michael Jackson - added: 'I think what really helped is the fact that we're both guitarists.
'We share a language, and we have so much respect for each other. That makes everything easier.'
