Clare Bowen

Clare Bowen was born on May 12, 1984, in Minnamurra, New South Wales, Australia. Her early life involved travel due to her parents’ work with Qantas, including a period spent in Zimbabwe. A significant part of her childhood was marked by her battle with pediatric cancer, diagnosed at age four, which she overcame by age seven. Following this, she pursued an education in the creative arts, graduating with a Bachelor of Creative Arts degree from the University of Wollongong in 2006. Initially performing in theatre, Bowen took on leading roles in Australian productions, most notably as Wendla in the Sydney Theatre Company’s musical production of “Spring Awakening” in 2010. She also gained early acting experience through guest appearances in Australian television series such as “The Cut,” “Chandon Pictures,” “All Saints,” and “Home and Away,” and appeared in films like “The Combination” (2009) and “The Clinic” (2010).

Bowen’s career trajectory saw a major shift in 2012 when she relocated to Los Angeles and secured the role of Scarlett O’Connor in the American musical-drama series “Nashville.” This role, which she held for all six seasons (2012–2018), brought her international recognition as an actress and singer. During her time on “Nashville,” she contributed significantly to the show’s music, with Scarlett O’Connor’s songs appearing on over twenty soundtracks, which collectively sold over one million album units and five million single downloads. This period also marked her entry into the music industry, leading to collaborations with artists such as Zac Brown, Vince Gill, and Grammy-winning producers T Bone Burnett and Buddy Miller. Her musical performances extended beyond the screen, as she reunited with the “Nashville” cast for international live tours, playing sold-out venues like the Royal Albert Hall and London’s O2 Arena.

Following the conclusion of “Nashville” in 2018, Bowen continued to expand her musical and acting ventures. Her self-titled debut solo album was released on August 31, 2018, leading to a 16-month headline tour across the UK, US, Germany, and Australia. In 2019, she starred alongside Bryan Brown in the horror series “Hungry Ghosts,” and in 2020, formed the Cinematic Americana duo BOWEN * YOUNG with her husband, Brandon Robert Young. Signing with UK label Snakefarm Records, BOWEN * YOUNG opened for Billy Joel in London and embarked on their own sold-out global shows, with their debut album released in May 2024. Bowen is also recognized for her advocacy work, particularly for cancer survivors and individuals with neurodevelopmental differences such as autism and ADHD, which she openly shares about.