‘I was one of those precocious little kids who thought, Oh yeah, I could do that!’
Ada Nicodemou is one of the cast members of Home and Away with the longest tenure, thus she is well-versed in the subject of longevity.
She began acting at the age of 16, and it was all because of the well-liked Channel 7 drama, which she adored as a viewer before she ever joined the cast. She is now 46 years old.
Ada, who is up for a Silver Logie this year for Most Popular Actress, is reflecting on how she got her start in acting and feeling like she’s come full circle.
She tells 7Entertainment, “You’re going to laugh, but I was literally watching Home and Away because I was a massive Home and Away fan.
Additionally, a contest to create a new character for the show was being held.
“I was one of those precocious little kids who thought, Oh yeah, I could do that!’
“So I went to the audition.
“I didn’t end up getting the job, but it was literally between me and Laura Vazquez, who is now, actually, the head of makeup here.
“Laura got the role, but I still ended up getting an agent that way.
“I went onto Heartbreak High for a bit before coming back to Home and Away.”
In 2000, Ada was chosen to play Leah Patterson, and the rest is history.
She explains that the awards ceremony holds a particular place in her heart and that she is overjoyed to have been nominated for a Silver Logie.
It means a lot to me because it’s the sole awards ceremony for the Australian television business, she adds.
When Bert Newton was the host of the Logies, I distinctly recall watching them.
“Because I was so infatuated with Kylie Minogue as a child, I’ll never forget the year she won so many prizes.
“I’ve always adored the Logies and I still do; I’m the most obnoxious person because I get so giddy over them.
We put in a lot of effort during the year, and now is when the show and we as actors receive credit, so it really means something to us.
Ada is competing this year against Emily Symons and Lynne McGranger, two other members of her Home and Away ensemble, thus it is necessary to inquire whether there is some rivalry between the nominees.
Ada makes a loud laugh before becoming solemn.
Actually, she thinks it’s wonderful that Lynne and Emily have finally received recognition.
They have much more experience in the field than I have.
We’re all incredibly connected as a cast, so it’s amazing that we’ve gotten so many nominations this year, she said.
For Ada, there’s no “magic secret” to longevity in the industry, but she does have a few thoughts on why she still loves what she does.
She has succeeded in finding a healthy work-life balance, and she enjoys creating Home and Away.
She explains, “All I know is that I work with great people, and it is a true family. I’m really lucky.
To be honest, they probably get to see me more often than my actual family.
It really helps that we all get along well.
You won’t get bored because there are always a variety of things to do on this show because it moves along so quickly.
“You need to attempt new things and are constantly pushed.
“The other thing for me is that, as much as we love our profession, it’s not all of me. I have a really nice family life at home.
“I also love other things, so after I leave (the set), I go back to my real life,” the actor said.
The fact that I am a mother and a partner also motivates me.
Filming of Home and Away fills a whopping 46 weeks of every year, but as the mother of a young son, Ada does manage to take some extra time off during the school holidays and over the Christmas period.
Johnas is about to turn 11, so her non-acting time is filled with taking him to sporting events and lots of what she calls “the mum stuff”.
She’s also heading to Europe soon for the first time in four years, about which she is incredibly excited.
Before that happens, there’s Aussie TV’s so-called “night of nights” to enjoy.
“I think about my dress months in advance, my makeup, what my hair’s going to be like!” Ada admits.
“I love all of that side of things.”
When Ada posted pictures from a recent charity ball, fans likened her high-voltage glamour to Hollywood icons such as Sophia Loren and Penelope Cruz.
So, what can fans expect to see her wearing on the Logies red carpet on July 30?
There isn’t a “magic secret” to staying in the business, but Ada does have a few ideas about why she still enjoys what she does.
She has succeeded in finding a healthy work-life balance, and she enjoys creating Home and Away.
She explains, “All I know is that I work with great people, and it is a true family. I’m really lucky.
To be honest, they probably get to see me more often than my actual family.
It really helps that we all get along well.
You won’t get bored because there are always a variety of things to do on this show because it moves along so quickly.
“You need to attempt new things and are constantly pushed.
“The other thing for me is that, as much as we love our profession, it’s not all of me. I have a really nice family life at home.
“I also love other things, so after I leave (the set), I go back to my real life,” the actor said.
The fact that I am a mother and a partner also motivates me.
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