When Roseanne Park informed her teachers at Canterbury Girls’ Secondary College in Melbourne that she was leaving in year 10 to pursue a music career in Korea, the news was met with surprise. Fast forward twelve years, and the once “shy” and “normal” Melbourne teenager has transformed into Rosé, a global K-pop sensation whose hit single has garnered nearly 2 billion views on YouTube.
On Monday, Rosé’s collaboration with Bruno Mars, titled APT, was awarded Song of the Year at the MTV Video Music Awards in New York. In her acceptance speech, she dedicated the award to her 16-year-old self, a poignant gesture that resonated with many.
“Someone asked me the other day what my fear in life was,” she said to an audience of over 5.5 million viewers. “I told them I feared that somewhere along the way in this journey of pursuing my dreams, I might hit a wall and possibly disappoint my 16-year-old self, who grew up always an oddball among society that wished some day she, too, could be herself and equally pursue her dreams just as well as anyone else I saw on television.”
Inspiration for Future Generations
For students at her former high school in Melbourne’s east, Rosé’s success story is a beacon of inspiration. Year 10 student Sabrina Towers, who shares a similar background to Rosé, expressed her admiration. “It shows me that anything can happen when you put your mind to it,” Towers remarked.
Canterbury Girls’ head of senior school, Amanda Jackson, recalled Rosé’s determination. “I remember when Rosé was in year 10, she came to see me and told me she was going to Korea to pursue a career in singing. I remember being surprised about that news, and I wished her well at the time. Now we are so proud of what she has achieved.”
Principal Mary Cannon echoed this sentiment, stating, “It is always pleasing to see former students achieve what they want to achieve.”
Impact on Local Schools
Rosé’s journey from Melbourne to the international stage has not only inspired her former school but also other local institutions. At Kew East Primary School, where Rosé once studied, principal Matt O’Hern noted the impact of her achievements on current students. “You can definitely see a number of the students are really inspired by the feats that she’s achieved,” O’Hern said.
“I think having that connection to someone, you can see that it’s possible, even for someone that’s at a primary school, and at Kew East primary school you can obviously make it on the global stage,” he added.
Rosé’s success story has created a buzz among prospective students and their parents, as noted by acting assistant principal Georgina Padula. “Even on school tours, last week we got asked – even by younger students – is it true this is the school Rosé came to?”
The Path to Stardom
Born in New Zealand, Rosé moved to Australia with her family at the age of seven. Her journey to stardom began in earnest when she passed an audition for YG Entertainment, one of Korea’s leading music companies, and moved to Seoul at 16. Reflecting on her early aspirations, Rosé once remarked, “In Australia, I didn’t think that there was much of a chance for me to become a singer – especially to become a K-pop star … I was living so far from the country that it never really occurred to me as a possibility.”
After four years of rigorous training, Rosé debuted with the K-pop group Blackpink, which quickly rose to international fame, topping iTunes charts in 18 countries. In 2021, she released her solo single, On the Ground, further cementing her status as a global icon. Beyond music, Rosé has also made her mark in fashion, serving as an ambassador for high-profile brands like Saint Laurent, Tiffany & Co., Rimowa, and Puma.
Looking Back and Ahead
Despite her global success, Rosé remains connected to her roots. During visits to Melbourne, she often revisits her old neighborhood and school, sometimes stopping by to greet her former teachers. “I didn’t really have friends around me who became singers or anything. It’s just like normal, I went to school and I really didn’t think of it as a possibility,” she shared in a 2024 interview with Nova FM.
As Rosé continues to inspire future generations, her story serves as a testament to the power of dreams and determination. Her journey from a Melbourne schoolgirl to a global superstar underscores the message that with passion and perseverance, anything is possible.
