Casey Donovan (singer)
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 age 16, becoming the series' youngest winner. In 2017, Casey won the third series of I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here. Casey also hosted the NITV music show Fusion With Casey Donovan.[2]
Casey Donovan | |
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Casey Donovan at the musical premiere of The Bodyguard in Sydney Lyric on 27 April 2017. | |
Background information | |
Born | Bankstown[1], New South Wales, Australia | 13 May 1988
Genres | Pop, rock, Folk |
Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter, actress, author |
Instruments | Vocals, guitar |
Years active | 2004–present |
Labels | Sony BMG (2004–2006) Independent (2006–present) |
Associated acts | Guy Sebastian, Kate DeAraugo, Damien Leith, Natalie Gauci |
Website | caseydonovan |
Early life
Casey Donovan was born in Condell Park, New South Wales, of indigenous descent to a family that included several relatives with musical careers, including her father, who along with his brothers are members of 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.
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 Millon 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.[4] 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 Millon 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.[5]
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.[6]
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.[7]
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.[8] Although she auditioned for a role in the 2011 movie version, Donovan was not cast.[9]
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.[10]
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.[11]
Donovan also played several roles in Shakespeare's As You Like It at Sydney's Belvoir Street Theatre.[12]
In 2016, Dononvan 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!.[13] On 13 March 2017, Donovan won the series and was announced as the first ever Queen of the Jungle.[14][15] In April 2017, Donovan became the face of the Coles Supermarket "Down down" campaign.[16] 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.[17] In May 2017 the Coles, "Down Down" campaign was refreshed with Casey performing a disco version of the advertisement.[18] Donovan released her first single in 7 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 and Australia Decides
In 2019 Donovan starred as "Mama Morton" in the Australian revival of the musical, Chicago, receiving positive reviews.[19][20]
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.[21]
Personal life
Donovan lends her name and support to a number of charitable and non-profit organisations. Donovan is an Ambassador for APRA/AMCOS and an Advocate for the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence.
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.[22]
Discography
Studio albums
Title | Album details | Peak chart position |
Certifications |
---|---|---|---|
AUS [23] | |||
For You |
|
2 |
Extended plays
Title | Details |
---|---|
Eye 2 Eye |
|
Off the Grid & Somewhere in Between[25] |
|
Singles
Year | Title | Peak chart positions |
Certifications | Album | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
AUS [23] | |||||
2004 | "Listen with Your Heart" | 1 |
|
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"[28] | — | ||||
2020 | "Proud"[29] | — | Australia Decides | ||
"You Are Not Alone" (with Adam Brand)[30] |
— | Speed of Life | |||
— denotes releases that failed to chart. |
- "Lonely" did not enter the ARIA Singles Chart, but peaked at number 48 on the ARIA Digital Track Chart.[27]
Television
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2004 | Australian Idol | Contestant | Winner |
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 |
Awards and Nominations
ARIA Music Awards
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
---|---|---|---|
ARIA Music Awards of 2005 | For You | ARIA Award for Highest Selling Album | Nominated |
"Listen with Your Heart" | ARIA Award for Highest Selling Single | Nominated |
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
- "Casey Donovan: Deadly Singer/Guitarist 16 years". Message Club. ABC. Archived from the original on 14 November 2013. Retrieved 9 November 2013.
- https://www.sbs.com.au/nitv/video/46874691702/Fusion-With-Casey-Donovan-S1-Ep1-Series-1-Ep-1
- "Donovan". Dynasties. ABC. Retrieved 9 November 2013.
- "Porn apology over win". Sydney Morning Hearld. 22 November 2004. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
- "Australian Idol winner Casey Donovan now a killer stage queen in We Will Rock You". Herald Sun. 5 August 2016. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 13 August 2011. Retrieved 17 December 2010.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 17 March 2011. Retrieved 17 December 2010.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 13 August 2011. Retrieved 17 December 2010.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- "Casey Donovan's omission from a film version of show The Sapphires". The Daily Telegraph. 30 July 2011. Retrieved 9 November 2013.
- http://www.jspac.com.au/dev2010/qtheatre/the-sapphires.php
- "flowerchildren". magnormos.com. 2011. Retrieved 11 April 2011.
- https://belvoir.com.au/productions/as-you-like-it/#performance-cast
- "Celebrities enter the jungle". popsugar.com.au. 12 February 2017. Retrieved 30 January 2017.
- "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.
- "Casey Donovan wins I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here! 2017". TV Tonight. 14 March 2017. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
- "Casey Donovan doesn't let the social media jungle get her down". Daily Telegraph. 18 May 2017. Retrieved 19 May 2017.
- "Casey Donovan Logies". Mama Mia. 23 April 2017. Retrieved 19 May 2017.
- https://mumbrella.com.au/casey-donovan-coles-down-down-442005
- "Casey Donovan Shines As Mama In Chicago The Musical". scenestr. 19 September 2019. Retrieved 16 December 2019.
- "Chicago's casting proves masterstroke". Sydney Morning Herald. 28 August 2019. Retrieved 16 December 2019.
- "Post". aussievision. Retrieved 10 November 2019.
- Clun, Rachel (26 February 2014). "Casey Donovan: 'I spent six years in a fake relationship'". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 26 February 2014.
- "Discography Casey Donovan". australian-charts.com. Archived from the original on 10 October 2012. Retrieved 6 January 2011.
- "ARIA Charts – End Of Year Charts – Top 100 Albums 2004" Archived 27 September 2011 at the Wayback Machine
- "Off the Grid & Somewhere in Between". iTunes Australia. Retrieved 15 August 2017.
- "ARIA Charts – End Of Year Charts – Top 100 Singles 2004" Archived 13 October 2006 at the Wayback Machine
- "ARIA Report issue 1422" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. 29 May 2017. Retrieved 11 June 2017.
- "The Villain (single)". Apple Music Australia. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
- "Proud – single". Apple Music Australia. 17 January 2020. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
- "Adam Brand teams up with Casey Donovan in this week's New Country Friday 5". Tone Deaf. 5 March 2020. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
External links
Preceded by Guy Sebastian |
Australian Idol Winner Season 2 (2004) |
Succeeded by Kate DeAraugo |