Casey Donovan (singer)

Early life

Casey Donovan was born in Condell Park, New South Wales in 1988, of indigenous descent to a family that included several relatives with musical careers, including her father, who along with his brothers is a member 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 10. 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.

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, sining 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. 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 3x platinum. On 13 December 2004, Donovan released her debut album, For You which debuted at number 2 and was certified 2x platinum.

Australian Idol performances

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.

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.

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. "Big, Beautiful and Sexy" has also become an anthem for larger women. The song also saw Donovan's online Facebook support group Big, Beautiful & Sexy (which attracted nearly 2000 fans in its first weeks) grow to over 10000 fans. Donovan herself has lost over 20 kg and continued her support of larger men and women as they achieve their life goals. Donovan went on to release another single in November 2010 titled "Last Regret" which saw the continuation of support from fans and media, and also gained some commercial airplay.

In December 2010, Donovan was nominated for two awards in 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. Although she auditioned for a role in the 2011 movie version, Donovan was not cast.

2011 saw Donovan reprise her role of Cynthia Macrae in another tour of the hit show The Sapphires. The tour ran during February in ACT and NSW, and was followed by two weeks in the UK in March.

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.

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

2017–present: I'm a Celebrity 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!. On 13 March 2017, Donovan won the series and was announced as the first ever Queen of the Jungle. In April 2017, Donovan became the face of the Coles Supermarket "Down down" campaign. 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.

Donovan released her first single in 7 years, "Lonely" on 19 May 2017 and Off the Grid & Somewhere in Between EP in August 2017.

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 a victim of a six-year-long hoax telephone relationship with a persona named Campbell, constructed by a woman named Olga.