Behind The Scenes
The reality show winner makes a smart move to acting in a new Aussie comedy
She’s won Australian Idol and been crowned queen of the jungle on I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!. But Casey Donovan’s next role is something completely different – she’ll be making her TV acting debut as parking officer Tia in a new comedy, Street Smart.
However, Casey had to overcome her fear of auditions before landing the part. While the 30-year-old is confident singing on stage in front of thousands of screaming fans, acting auditions terrify her.
“I hate them – they’re the most nerve-racking thing in the world,” Casey tells Woman’s Day.
Her success on stage and screen doesn’t mean Casey gets special treatment when it comes to landing acting jobs, either.
“You don’t just get roles handed to you,” she says. “I’ve been auditioning for years and you either get the call back or you don’t.”
Despite her fear of auditions, Casey, who’s wowed on stage in the musicals The Sapphires and We Will Rock You in addition to her reality TV successes, says she’s open to giving Hollywood a crack one day.
“I would love to! I think it would be a great experience and it’s something that’s completely out of my comfort zone,” she spills, adding that she’d even love to take her singing career Stateside.
“It would be great to go over there and get my hand in acting and music.”
In the meantime, Casey’s concentrating on playing Tia in Street Smart. “She’s fun, witty and has some great one-liners,” she says of her character.
Casey is in good company on the show, working alongside co-stars Rob Shehadie and Tahir Bilgic, who are best known for their hit comedy Here Come The Habibs.
Street Smart revolves around unemployed criminal “mastermind” Steve (Bilgic) and his gang as their plans for riches, respect and girls are constantly thwarted by his parking officer cousin Joseph (Shehadie) and his sidekick Tia.
“Joseph’s very by the book – he gets his tape out to measure the wheel to curb ratio,” Casey says of her onscreen partner. “Tia’s more easygoing.”
Street Smart is s the kind of show Casey herself likes to watch.
“It’s funny, it’s written really well and it’s got a great cast,” she says.
“It’s one of those shows where you don’t have to think – you can just have a laugh and enjoy what’s happening.” STREET SMART Sunday, 8pm, Ten