Jan Hellriegel was born in West Auckland (d.o.b est une secret, bien aur), to a family of 6 (she has three brothers). It is true that her father operated a panelbeaters at which Jan worked; but, contrary to popular legend, it was doing office work. Nonetheless, she is still the media's 'Westie' darling.

Jan then moved to Dunedin to attend Otago University, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts. She also spent 3 years in the University Drama Club, and met up with friends who would become Cassandra's Ears. Jan also took vocal training in Speech and Singing at Sister Mary Leo.

Jan joined her brother(Rob Hellriegel)'s band, Working With Walt, and sang on their 1985 4 Sides EP, writing one song Christina and playing guitars. Between 1989 and 1991 Cassandra's Ears formed to record a song for a Dunedin rock compilation, Weird Culture Weird Custom. Their song The Replacements was released by National Student Radio. The band played local gigs, wrote more material, and eventually released two records, Private Wasteland and Your Estimation.

By 1991, Jan was back in Auckland to begin recording material for her first solo album, having signed a record deal with heavyweights Warner Records. It's My Sin was released in 1993, and created Jan's first real wave of success. There were big hits, and some popular anthems. Jan played live at Mountain Rock in 1993, and has since fronted for many visiting bands (including Ron Sexsmith, Diesel, The Cure and Jeff Buckley).

While working on her second album Jan featured on an ad for Coca-cola in 1995, before touring Australia both solo and with her band (Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne). In July, Jan graced the front cover of MORE Magazine, along with an indepth article. In August, Manic (is a state of mind) was released as a single, and reached the Top 5. Next, her Geraldine single reached Number 1 on Max TV, and in 1996 her second solo album was released - the exquisite Tremble.

Meanwhile, Jan had also been working as a presenter on Orange TV's Juice Show, and she won the Most Promising Female Vocalist award at the 1996 New Zealand Music Awards. (She was also nominated for the NZ Music and Entertainer awards, Top Female Vocalist and Top Single.) Jan opened for the Auckland Blues, and in February Mika and Jan Hellriegel staged their sell-out Cabaret Show. Jan also performed at the Comedy Festival (St James Theatre), and toured for 6 weeks with Jeff Buckley (Auckland, Sydney, Melbourne).

In 1997, Jan was on television throughout the year with her new Ford adverts, the Television One documentary 10 Guitars, and an interview on August 7th's Assignment. Sentimental Fool was released and Jan flew to Australia to write and record the theme song for ex-Ears girl Flick Rhind's short film My Geraldine. The song is called Unravelled and was recorded with a full orchestra. Jan also starred on an episode of Xena: Warrior Princess as NemoSyne, Goddess of Memory.

1998 saw a nomination for the Fox Of The Year award on the Mikey Havoc show, and Jan embarked on her Girl's Blouse Tour of the North Island. She also played numerous gigs, such as the CBD's Music on the Streets and MTV's Closedown Show. Jan and Warner Records parted ways, Jan bought a new car, and in December her latest single, Melusine, was released on Universal Records.

1999 has been a busy year, as Jan and Fiona MacDonald sold-out the Comedy Bar with their Torched shows, and Jan appeared on another episode of Xena as Hestia, the Virgin Goddess.

Later in the year she toured with Mark de Clive-Lowe and together they played at the Zambesi fashion awards, with another sell-out gig at Manifesto Wine Bar. Jan was on Shortland Street for a week as 'Jackie', an abused wife. She also worked for the Alan Duff charitable foundation Books in Homes scheme as a celebrity spokesperson. She also wrote the Duffy Kids' Books in Homes song (sung by 60,000 children).

Jan is finishing off this year with the Underwater Tour with both Mark de Clive-Lowe and Mika, and looks set to record her third solo album early next year.