Casey Donovan (born 13 May 1988) is an Australian singer, songwriter, actress, theatre actress, and author, best known for winning the second season of the singing competition show Australian Idol in 2004. She won the competition at the age of 16, becoming the series' youngest winner. In 2017, Donovan won the third series of I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here. Donovan also hosted the NITV music show Fusion with Casey Donovan.[3]
Early life
Casey Donovan was born in Bankstown, New South Wales,[4] of indigenous descent to a family that included several relatives with musical careers, including her father, who along with his brothers are members of the country band The Donovans. It wasn't until attending Condell Park High that her talent became noticed and was supported especially by both her mother and stepfather.[5]
In 2004, Donovan transferred to the Australian Institute of Music in Sydney and auditioned for the second season of Australian Idol singing Kasey Chambers' "A Million Tears". During the series, Donovan won a Deadly Award for Most Promising New Talent in Music. In November, Donovan was announced the winner of Idol over favourite Anthony Callea. Her success was marred by a typographical mistake by Australian Idol sponsor Telstra, in a half-page nationally run newspaper advertisement including what was assumed to be her website. The link was a memorial for the late American pornography actor of the same name.[6] Telstra apologized for the error.
While starring in the successful concept show, Women of Soul, Donovan was approached by Rhoda Roberts for the theatrical production of Miracle in Brisbane for the Brisbane Festival in October 2009.[8]
Donovan returned to music with the release of her single "Big, Beautiful & Sexy" written with songwriter Beau Golden, released in August 2010. A Facebook named for the song grew to over 10,000 fans shortly after release. Prior to the song's release, Donovan herself lost over 20kg and continued her support larger men and women. Donovan went on to release another single in November 2010 titled "Last Regret," which gained some commercial airplay.[9]
In December 2010, Donovan was nominated for two awards at the 2010 Sydney Theatre Awards for "Newcomer" and "Supporting Actress", continuing to receive praise and recognition from the industry for her work in The Sapphires.[10] Although she auditioned for a role in the 2011 movie version, Donovan was not cast.[11]
2011 saw Donovan reprise her role of Cynthia Macrae in another tour of The Sapphires. The tour ran during February in ACT and NSW, and was followed by two weeks in the UK in March.[12]
Donovan also played several roles in Shakespeare's As You Like It at Sydney's Belvoir Street Theatre.[14]
2017–2018: I'm a Celebrity, TV Advertisements and "Lonely"
In January 2017, Donovan was revealed as a celebrity contestant on the third season of the Australian version of I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!.[15] On 13 March 2017, Donovan won the series and was announced as the first ever Queen of the Jungle.[16][17] In April 2017, Donovan became the face of the Coles Supermarket "Down down" campaign.[18] On 23 April 2017, Donovan performed an acoustic version of David Bowie's "Heroes" at the 2017 Logie Awards in which she received a standing ovation.[19]
In May 2017 the Coles, "Down Down" campaign was refreshed with Casey performing a disco version of the advertisement.[20]
Donovan released her first single in seven years, "Lonely" on 19 May 2017 and Off the Grid & Somewhere in Between EP in August 2017.
In 2020, she became a host on The Space podcast. It is listed in the "Health & Fitness" category through Nova Podcasts on iTunes. Two new short 3- to 4-minute mini-episodes are posted each day by Donovan. It is described as a "mindfulness podcast" and a "mini escape each morning and evening with short (and cringe-free) meditations, motivations, and tips on how to improve your day." 'The Space' is constantly in the Top 3 mindfulness and wellbeing Australian podcast category.[24]
In 2023, it was announced that Donovan would play the role of Angelique/Nurse in the Melbourne production of & Juliet at the Regent Theatre.[27] She then toured with the show to Singapore, Perth and Sydney.[28][29][30]
Personal life
From 2004, Donovan was the victim of a six-year-long hoax telephone relationship with a persona named Campbell, constructed by a woman named Olga.[31]
In 2023, Donovan announced she was in a relationship with a woman, whom she met on a dating app during the COVID-19 lockdowns.[27]
Donovan often states her support for the queer community as a queer woman herself.[27]
Discography
Studio albums
List of albums, with selected chart positions and certifications
The Deadly Awards, (commonly known simply as The Deadlys), was an annual celebration of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander achievement in music, sport, entertainment and community. They ran from 1996 to 2013.
.jpg)
