Casey Donovan
Casey Donovan at the musical premiere of The Bodyguard in Sydney Lyric on 27 April 2017.
Casey Donovan at the musical premiere of The Bodyguard in Sydney Lyric on 27 April 2017.
Background information
Born (1988-05-13) 13 May 1988
Bankstown,[1] New South Wales, Australia
GenresPop
Rock
Folk
OccupationsSinger-songwriter, actress, author
InstrumentsVocals, guitar
Years active2004–present
LabelsSony BMG (2004–2006)
Independent (2006–present)
Websitecaseydonovan.com

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 just 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.[2]

Early life

Casey Donovan was born in Bankstown, New South Wales,[3] 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. After her parents divorced, her mother and siblings moved in with stepfather Norm Axford. Growing up, Casey was always interested in singing and performing. Contact with the Donovan cousins fostered interest in both singing and playing guitar, which led to busking on the streets of Tamworth during the Country Music Festival when she was ten. Casey's musical interest was noticed at Bass Hill Public School and Georges Hall Primary but was not enough to have any public notice. It was not until attending Condell Park High that her talent became noticed and was supported especially by both her mother and stepfather.[4]

Career

2004–2006: Australian Idol and For You

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.[5] Telstra apologised for the error.

Donovan released her debut single "Listen with Your Heart" on 29 November 2004, which debuted at number 1 and was certified triple platinum. On 13 December 2004, Donovan released her debut album, For You, which debuted at number 2 and was certified double platinum.

Australian Idol performances

Week Theme Song Artist Status
Audition N/A "A Million Tears" Kasey Chambers Selected
Theatre Round
Day 1		 N/A (a cappella) 6,8,12 Brian McKnight Advanced
Theatre Round
Day 2		 Group Performance "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours"
with Em Rusciano, Liza Schulberg and Yasmine Dia		 Stevie Wonder Advanced
Theatre Round
Day 3		 Solo Performance "Exodus" Evanescence Advanced
Top 30 Semi-final Group No. 3 "Here's Where I Stand" (Touchdown) Tiffany Taylor Advanced
Top 12 Australian-Made Music "Symphony of Life" Tina Arena Safe
Top 11 Pop Music "Don't Speak" No Doubt Safe
Top 10 Songs of the Sixties "Somebody to Love" Jefferson Airplane Safe
Top 9 Disco Hits "Shake Your Groove Thing" Peaches & Herb Safe
Top 8 Idol's Choice "Special Ones" (Touchdown) George Safe
Top 7 Lennon–McCartney "Eleanor Rigby" The Beatles Safe
Top 6 Songs of the Eighties "The Flame" Cheap Trick Bottom 2
Top 5 Songs of R&B "Beautiful" (Touchdown) India.Arie Safe
Top 4 Music of Big band "Why Don't You Do Right?"
"Come Fly with Me"		 Peggy Lee
Frank Sinatra		 Safe
Top 3 Songs of the Seventies "You're So Vain"(Touchdown)
"Misty Blue"		 Carly Simon
Dorothy Moore		 Safe
Finale Idol's Choice
Idol's Choice
Idol Winner's Single		 "Take Me as I Am"
"Hello"
"Listen with Your Heart"		 Vanessa Amorosi
Evanescence
(winner's single)		 WON

In February 2005, Donovan released "What's Going On" which peaked at number 18 on the ARIA Charts. At the Deadly Awards 2005, Donovan won Single Release of the Year for "Listen with Your Heart" and Artist of the Year. At the ARIA Music Awards of 2005, Donovan was nominated for Highest Selling Single, losing to Anthony Callea's "The Prayer". In 2006, Donovan was dropped from Sony BMG.[6]

2007–2016: Post-Idol career

In 2008, independently released the extended play Eye 2 Eye.

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.[7]

In 2010, Donovan was cast in the role of Cynthia in a musical stage production of The Sapphires, which saw the show tour Australia throughout the first half of 2010. Donovan won praise from the critics for her role in the production, which was presented by Company B Belvoir and Black Swan State Theatre Company. Donovan went on to take home the Best Supporting Actress award at the 4th Daegu International Music Festival Awards while on tour with the production in South Korea in July 2010.

Donovan returned to music with the release of her single "Big, Beautiful & Sexy" written with songwriter Beau Golden, released in August 2010. A Facebook support group named for the song grew to over 10,000 fans shortly after release. Prior to the song's release, Donovan herself lost over 20 kg and continued her support of larger men and women. Donovan went on to release another single in November 2010 titled "Last Regret", which gained some commercial airplay.[8]

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.[9] Although she auditioned for a role in the 2011 movie version, Donovan was not cast.[10]

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.[11]

In August/September 2011, Donovan created the role of Mama Cass in the world premiere of new musical Flowerchildren – The Mamas & the Papas Story written by Peter Fitzpatrick and produced by Australian company Magnormos. She was joined by Matt Hetherington as John Phillips, Laura Fitzpatrick as Michelle Phillips, and Dan Humphris as Denny Doherty.[12]

Donovan also played several roles in Shakespeare's As You Like It at Sydney's Belvoir Street Theatre.[13]

In 2016, Donovan played Killer Queen in We Will Rock You.

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!.[14] On 13 March 2017, Donovan won the series and was announced as the first ever Queen of the Jungle.[15][16] In April 2017, Donovan became the face of the Coles Supermarket "Down down" campaign.[17] 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.[18] In May 2017 the Coles, "Down Down" campaign was refreshed with Casey performing a disco version of the advertisement.[19] Donovan released her first single in seven years, "Lonely" on 19 May 2017 and Off the Grid & Somewhere in Between EP in August 2017.

She performed on New Year's Eve 2017 in Sydney, singing "Lady Marmalade", "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" and "Nutbush City Limits".

2019–present: Chicago, Australia Decides, and The Space podcast

In 2019 Donovan starred as Mama Morton in the Australian revival of the musical, Chicago, which received positive reviews.[20][21]

In November 2019, Donovan was announced as a participant in Eurovision - Australia Decides; in an attempt to represent Australia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2020. She performed the track "Proud" in the national final on 8 February 2020 and placed second.[22]

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.[23]

In 2021, Donovan appeared as Luna Keys in the third season of the comedy TV series How to Stay Married, alongside Peter Helliar and Lisa McCune.[24]

In 2022, she returned to the stage in the Australian production of the musical 9 to Five, playing the role of Judy Bernly which toured the Capitol Theatre in Sydney, Lyric Theatre in Brisbane, State Theatre in Melbourne and Festival Theatre in Adelaide.[25]

In 2023, it was announced that Donovan would play the role of Angelique/Nurse in the Melbourne production of & Juliet at the Regent Theatre.[26] She then toured with the show to Singapore, Perth and Sydney.[27][28][29]

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.[30]

In 2023, Donovan announced she was in a relationship with a woman, whom she met on a dating app during the COVID-19 lockdowns.[26]

Discography

Studio albums

List of albums, with selected chart positions and certifications
Title Album details Peak chart
position		 Certifications
AUS
[31]
For You 2

Extended plays

List of EPs, with selected details
Title Details
Eye 2 Eye
  • Released: 1 January 2008
  • Format: CD, digital download
  • Label: Casey Donovan
Off the Grid & Somewhere in Between[33]
  • Released: 25 August 2017
  • Format: CD, digital download
  • Label: Casey Donovan

Singles

List of singles, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name
Year Title Peak chart
positions		 Certifications Album
AUS
[31]
2004 "Listen with Your Heart" 1
  • ARIA: 2× Platinum[34]
 For You
2005 "What's Going On" 18
"Flow" 51
2010 "Big, Beautiful & Sexy" — Non-album singles
"Last Regret" —
2017 "Lonely" —[upper-alpha 1] Off the Grid & Somewhere in Between
"The Villain"[36] —
2020 "Proud"[37] — Australia Decides
"You Are Not Alone"
(with Adam Brand)[38]		 — Speed of Life
— denotes releases that failed to chart.
  1. ↑ "Lonely" did not enter the ARIA Singles Chart, but peaked at number 48 on the ARIA Digital Track Chart.[35]

Television

Year Title Role Notes
2004 Australian Idol Contestant Winner
2012 Fusion With Casey Donovan Host
2017 I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! Contestant Winner
2017 Coles Supermarket Ad Herself
2017 Have You Been Paying Attention? Guest quiz master
2017 All Star Family Feud Contestant Team captain
2018 Hughesy, We Have a Problem Celebrity problem
2018 Blind Date Contestant
2019 Show Me the Movie! Celebrity guest
2019 Who Do You Think You Are? Guest
2019 Celebrity Name Game Herself 2 episodes
2020 Australia Decides Contestant
2021 How to Stay Married Luna Keys Season 3, recurring
2022 Darby & Joan Australian Sat Nav Voice Mini-series, recurring

Awards and nominations

ARIA Music Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result Lost to
2005 For You Highest Selling Album Nominated Missy Higgins – The Sound Of White
"Listen with Your Heart" Highest Selling Single Nominated Anthony Callea – "The Prayer"

Deadly Awards

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.

Year Nominee / work Award Result
Deadly Awards 2004 "herself" Most Promising New Talent in Music Won
Deadly Awards 2005 "herself" Artist of the Year Won
"Listen with Your Heart" Single Release of the Year Won

References

  1. ↑ "Casey Donovan: Deadly Singer/Guitarist 16 years". Message Club. ABC. Archived from the original on 14 November 2013. Retrieved 9 November 2013.
  2. ↑ "Fusion With Casey Donovan S1 Ep1 – Series 1 Ep 1". Sbs.com.au. 10 March 2018.
  3. ↑ Shearn, Rohan (3 August 2022). "On the Couch with Casey Donovan". Australian Arts Review. Retrieved 20 September 2023.
  4. ↑ Benns, Matthew (6 November 2004). "Idols face their demons". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 8 December 2007.
  5. ↑ "Porn apology over win". Sydney Morning Herald. 22 November 2004. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
  6. ↑ "Australian Idol winner Casey Donovan now a killer stage queen in We Will Rock You". Herald Sun. 5 August 2016. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
  7. ↑ "ME «". Archived from the original on 13 August 2011. Retrieved 17 December 2010.
  8. ↑ "Casey Donovan back with Last Regret | SYN". Archived from the original on 17 March 2011. Retrieved 17 December 2010.
  9. ↑ "Casey Donovan nominated for two 2010 Sydney Theatre Awards «". Archived from the original on 13 August 2011. Retrieved 17 December 2010.
  10. ↑ "Casey Donovan's omission from a film version of show The Sapphires". The Daily Telegraph. 30 July 2011. Retrieved 9 November 2013.
  11. ↑
  12. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 21 February 2011. Retrieved 11 April 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  13. ↑ "As You Like It Belvoir Sydney 2011". Belvoir.com.au.
  14. ↑ "Celebrities enter the jungle". popsugar.com.au. 12 February 2017. Retrieved 30 January 2017.
  15. ↑ "Casey Donovan is the first woman to win I'm A Celebrity ... Get Me Out Of Here!". news.com.au. 13 March 2017. Retrieved 13 March 2017.
  16. ↑ "Casey Donovan wins I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here! 2017". TV Tonight. 14 March 2017. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
  17. ↑ "Casey Donovan doesn't let the social media jungle get her down". Daily Telegraph. 18 May 2017. Retrieved 19 May 2017.
  18. ↑ Bishop, Caitlin (23 April 2017). "Casey Donovan Logies". Mamamia. Mama Mia. Retrieved 19 May 2017.
  19. ↑ "Casey Donovan latest celeb to front Coles' Down Down campaign". Mumbrella.com.au. 2 May 2017.
  20. ↑ "Casey Donovan Shines As Mama In Chicago The Musical". scenestr. 19 September 2019. Retrieved 16 December 2019.
  21. ↑ "Chicago's casting proves masterstroke". Sydney Morning Herald. 28 August 2019. Retrieved 16 December 2019.
  22. ↑ "Post". aussievision. 7 November 2019. Retrieved 10 November 2019.
  23. ↑ "The Space Podcast". iTunes. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
  24. ↑ Knox, David (3 May 2021). ""I was a bit intimidated about working with Lisa"". TV Tonight. TV Tonight. Retrieved 20 September 2023.
  25. ↑ ACMN. "9 to 5 the Musical". 9 to 5 the Musical. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
  26. 1 2 Koziol, Michael (19 February 2023). "The dating app switch that helped Casey Donovan finally find love". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
  27. ↑ Wilson, Rae (31 May 2022). "Why you must watch Casey Donovan in 9 to 5 the Musical". The Courier-Mail. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 20 September 2023.
  28. ↑ "Why Sydney keeps missing out on some of the world's most popular performances". The Sydney Morning Herald. Nine Entertainment Co. 23 April 2023. Archived from the original on 7 August 2023. Retrieved 20 September 2023.
  29. ↑ Ward, Sarah (23 August 2023). "'& Juliet' Is Taking Its Olivier Award-Winning Shakespeare-Meets-Pop Spectacle to Sydney in 2024". Concrete Playground. Archived from the original on 20 September 2023. Retrieved 20 September 2023.
  30. ↑ Clun, Rachel (26 February 2014). "Casey Donovan: 'I spent six years in a fake relationship'". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 26 February 2014.
  31. 1 2 "Discography Casey Donovan". australian-charts.com. Archived from the original on 10 October 2012. Retrieved 6 January 2011.
  32. ↑ "ARIA Top 100 Albums Chart". Aria.com.au. Archived from the original on 27 September 2011. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  33. ↑ "Off the Grid & Somewhere in Between". iTunes Australia. Retrieved 15 August 2017.
  34. ↑ "Accreditations – ARIA". Aria.com.au. Archived from the original on 13 October 2006. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  35. ↑ "ARIA Report issue 1422" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. 29 May 2017. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 May 2017. Retrieved 11 June 2017.
  36. ↑ "The Villain (single)". Apple Music Australia. 14 July 2017. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
  37. ↑ "Proud – single". Apple Music Australia. 17 January 2020. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
  38. ↑ "Adam Brand teams up with Casey Donovan in this week's New Country Friday 5". Tone Deaf. 5 March 2020. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
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