Spotlight on Singer/Actor Casey Donovan

WORDS: Caroline Russo hushhushbiz.com PHOTOGRAPHY Benny Capp & Daniel Boud

Casey Donovan 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. We caught up with Casey as she will be coming to Brisbane for Sister Act in February.

Casey, from your start on Australian Idol to where you are now, what have been some of the biggest lessons you’ve learned along the way?

You need to keep going, keep showing up, keep dusting off your knees and just get out there and give it a go. I’ve also learned along the way to say no to things and be okay with that. The music industry is quite small in Australia.  So I’ve been okay with saying no and yeah, knowing that there’s always been something.

Your career has taken you from pop music to the stage and beyond. Was there a moment when you realised you wanted to pursue both singing and acting?

I was studying drama at school but when I was doing that, it was a subject for some school kids that wasn’t taken seriously. But I always wanted to do acting. I just never knew how I was going to get into it. So thankfully one of my ex-managers got me an audition for the film The Sapphires back in 2009. I auditioned for  Cynthia McCrae and I haven’t looked back since.  

You’ve faced and overcome various challenges over the years. What advice would you give anyone who feels like their dreams might be out of reach?

I think my advice would be to reach for the stars. It may not be the easiest path and it may not work out how you wanted it to, but never stop dreaming. Once we stop dreaming it kind of eliminates us. Keep dreaming, keep striving towards your goals and know that there are other opportunities that come with those dreams. Keep your eyes out for them, and don’t be so tunnel-visioned. ‘Cause there are so many amazing, wonderful things to do in this world. So yeah, never stop dreaming and just keep trying.

With Sister Act, you’ve taken on the dynamic role of Deloris Van Cartier. How does playing Deloris connect with your sense of self and personality?

Deloris Van Cartier is so different to me as a person and it’s quite beautiful to be able to, you know, pull her on each day and just let her take the take the wheel. There are things I wish I could do as myself, but I get to do as Dolores and I think that’s one of the joyful things of playing a character.  Being able to do those things and allow yourself to go there. As an actor trying new things, Delores is very front footed, she’s very loud and proud and just there. But she also brings a little joy to people, and being able to both as a character and as myself is a really beautiful thing, and we get to do it through music.

Staying authentic in the entertainment industry can be difficult. How have you managed to stay grounded and true to yourself?

First up by being unapologetic to myself. This is very difficult in a world that is forever changing, as you know people want you to be a certain way. But at the end of the day, I think it’s just really important to check-in with yourself and, if necessary, get the help that you need… we never stop learning about ourselves. We never stop growing and we never stop evolving.  I also have amazing people around me. Like my beautiful fiancé. Just doing the work inside for my mental health and anxiety…things like that.  It’s just really important to look within. Also to do things that fill your cup like going to see family and smile at passing dogs! There are lots of things.

 Mental health and self-acceptance are causes you champion. How have these values influenced your career choices and your interactions with fans?

Look, I’ve always been very up-front and honest about mental health and its challenges. And I think you know, by talking. We’re breaking that barrier and that stigma. You know the quiet that can sometimes happen around mental health…like not feeling you’re good enough. And the self-impostor syndrome.  It’s a big thing to deal with in silence.  I just feel the more we talk about it and the more we champion it, it helps people to come out and just be open and honest. Everyone is going through something always, and sometimes we lose sight of that because we’re busy at work or we just need to get things done, and we sometimes push our mental health to the side and don’t look after our bodies. And then our bodies try to tell us something. Yeah, it’s something that I do value. Just speaking out about mental health does connect me with a lot of fans and gives them the space to be able to talk openly and freely. 

Q. You’ve been open about finding your voice, both artistically and personally. How has that shaped the kind of projects you choose to work on?

It has shaped everything I always wanted, to be a part of the things that make me happy. And that I can champion.  It’s been and is great to be artistically creative in those spaces that yeah, kind of challenged me and I get to put my name and my face to. Things I believe in. 

Q. Looking back at the young woman who won Australian Idol, what do you think you should be most proud of in the person you are now?

I think she’d be proud of just… I don’t know. I’m just stepping onto the stage when I’m having all of these feelings. I think she’d be proud that we did it together and kept rising to the occasion, challenging ourselves and pushing ourselves, keeping going even when we’re tired and exhausted. I feel like she would just be proud. Yeah, very proud.

After achieving so much, are there any goals or dreams that you still have in your sights? 

Look, I’ve got a lot of goals and dreams. I’d love to try my hand at the West End or Broadway in a musical theatre stage show. Get some family time off. There are lots and lots of things to look at, at the moment but for now, I’m just singing out the rest of Sister Act, having fun with the amazing cast that I get to play with on stage. So with that, all I can say is…watch this space!