Helen Zerefos OAM (born 8 November 1937) is an Australian coloratura soprano. Zerefos was born in Scone, New South Wales to Greek parents, Paul and Katina. Her career was launched in 1961, at a time when musical variety shows were popular on television. She was the first person of Greek heritage to be a regular artist on Australian television.
She was a regular member of the Revue 20 headed by Claire Poole. This was a twenty-piece choral ensemble which provided background choruses for Seven Network variety programs such Digby Wolfe's Revue '61 and '62, John Laws' Startime and Studio A hosted firstly by The LeGarde Twins and then by Colin Croft as well as Curtain Call, a late-night variety program hosted by Revue 20 member John Wickham-Hall. In 1964 she spent a year on Bobby Limb's Sound Of Music. In the mid 60s she was cast in the musicals The King and I and The Music Man. She was the resident soprano on Barry Crocker's Say It With Music for three years until 1969. This was followed by countless appearances on TV shows like The Mike Walsh Show, The Midday Show etc.
Zerefos was encouraged to pursue a career in America but her marriage in 1971 and strong family ties kept her in Australia. Her extravagant costumes earned her the nickname Helen Fairy Floss. She also made a number of LP recordings. Helen Zerefos won three MO awards.
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