Two very different envelopes, nearly thirteen years apart. But for Casey Donovan, they were both pivotal moments in proving she is a stayer in the entertainment world, despite the naysayers.
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For let's face it, Casey has never fit the showbiz stereotype. She is far removed from the size eight "package" record producers and corporate executives love to sell when it comes to female stars. She was never the singer - hat's off to you Jess Mauboy - who was also willing to undertake a complete style transformation to make it to the top.
Casey has always been Casey. No apologies about it, no bullshit, just Casey.
The mostly male, mostly seasoned and money-minded record executives never knew what to make of her. How to "package" Casey?
Her first envelope opening was in 2004, it was the final of Australian Idol and the Indigenous teen with a beautiful singing voice took out first place. The show, at the time, was a television ratings sensation and Donovan was rightfully a household name. Her winning song Listen With Your Heart was a testament to her stunning vocals.
But for all the glory and excitement of the win, there was a disquieting discomfort behind the scenes. "We have to deal with what we've been handed," one record industry executive said to me, dismissively, about Donovan's win. It was embarrassing to hear it.
Donovan was being discriminated against almost immediately because of her weight. The shy, incredibly talented teenager, who had already faced her own serious family issues behind the scenes, was thrust into the cut-throat world of showbiz and almost completely chewed up. Her own low self-esteem was never going to help with the transition to the spotlight. Her honesty, though, was always endearing.
Over the years she has been straight-up about her struggles. There were pictures of her busking at Rozelle markets in Sydney, trying to make some extra cash. Then her somewhat bizarre revelations about being caught up in a catfishing scandal, plus her revelation earlier this year that inbetween gigs she has worked as an Uber driver. Of course there have been triumphs too, including her critically acclaimed stage appearance in The Sapphires and her role as Killer Queen in the musical We Will Rock You.
On Monday night, Donovan looked bemused and stunned when her name was called out yet again. The second envelope was for the winner's announcement on Ten's I'm A Celebrity ??? Get Me Out of Here.
Crucially, 28-year-old Donovan was again chosen for first place by a voting public. In many ways, thirteen years on, this was a next generation of television viewers again fascinated by her.
Host Chris Brown told her warmly: "This experience, we really hope, is going to be prove to be an amazing springboard for you, from here on in."
So what will it lead to? Will, this time around, the Australian recording industry show it has changed by giving Casey Donovan, the woman, the television star, the talented singer, another go?
She still has one of the best voices in Australia and, if her win on I'm A Celebrity ??? Get Me Out of Here proves anything, there are plenty of people out there who like Casey just the way she is.
