One of Australia’s most-loved performers Casey Donovan is on top of the world. Not only is Casey down to ‘double digits’ on the scales for the first time in her adult life thanks to a dedicated health kick, she’s also brimming with energy. Which is just as well considering how much the former Australian Idol winner currently has on.

Along with her latest single, Shake It, riding high in the charts, Casey is about to debut in hot new musical & Juliet – the story of what might have happened to Juliet from Romeo and Juliet if she’d lived.

She’ll also be performing at the upcoming Australia Day Concert and has a host of other projects on the go. We managed to catch up with the multi-talented powerhouse to talk about life, love, health and happiness.

How have you changed from the days of winning Australian Idol almost 20 years ago until now?

Behind closed doors I was all the things a 16-year-old is – loud and funny – but in the public eye I was very timid, shy and kind of closed off. Whether that was self-protection or me going, ‘I don’t know what to do’ I’m not sure. Now at 34 I’m unapologetically myself and have grown into the skin I was destined to have. I found confidence and love and now when I stumble in life, I get up again.

You’ve had lots of ups and downs with your weight over the years but are now in the best shape of your life having lost 15kg in just 12 weeks on the Jenny Craig program. What’s changed?

I changed from thinking I needed to be on a ‘weight loss journey’ to a ‘lifestyle journey’ instead. I’d done weight loss programs over the years, but they were always unstainable. When Jenny Craig approached me last year to join their program I had a very matter of fact conversation with them. I said, ‘this is my busy life and I want it to work within that’. I also wanted to feel happy and healthy whilst doing it and not feel like it was ‘a diet’.

It’s actually worked so well with my lifestyle which is crazy busy as the meals are all taken care of and are really tasty. I still supplement with groceries form the supermarket, but now I’m in the mindset of just getting what I need. I’ve just learnt so much about nutrition.

Along the way you’ve also become quite close to your Jenny Craig coach Angela, haven’t you?

Yes, I talk with Angela regularly and she’ll ask if there’s any social obstacles for the coming week, or ones recently that were challenging. No one has ever asked me that before. Previously I went out to dinners just hoping for the best. But now I have strategies in place and feel no guilt. It’s much nicer planning a meal to a nice restaurant – I love fine dining and a charcuterie board – instead of going through a drive through to grab a dirty burger! Fast food and hot chippies was my weakness, but now I’m perfectly okay without them!

You’re starring in a new upcoming musical &Juliet at Melbourne’s Regent Theatre debuting on Feb 26 what is your character Angelique like?

She’s a mothering character, ballsy, protective and vulnerable. It’s fun and joyous seeing such a diverse cast on stage.

In the show you’re also starring alongside your good friend Rob Mills, another Australian Idol alum, what’s that been like?

Ah Rob is just such a joyous human – he’s a caring, loveable larrikin who I can always confide it. He used to call me “Pacey Donovan” as backstage I’d just pace around as I’m a very anxious person. He’s a lot of fun.

So, you’ve got the outdoor Australia Day Concert coming up on Australia Day – the weather in Sydney’s been pretty changeable – what happens if it rains?

I’ve done outdoor concerts before where it’s started spitting with rain. It’s actually fine, and a bit of fun. The worse thing is the moths and flies that fly into your face and mouth! But whatever happens it’s going to be a great night full of first nations performers such as Jessica Mauboy, I can’t wait.

You’ve now moved to Melbourne, partly to be closer to your partner, academic Renee Sharples. How has that been going?

It’s been wonderful, we met on a dating app during the pandemic and went on a COVID safe walk. She didn’t know too much about me which was nice and added to the organic nature of the relationship. We like to do healthy dates now as well – we’ll go on walks – it’s just been so lovely. I’m really loving life at the moment.