Deadly's better second time round

By Edmund Tadros
September 23, 2005
Step on up ... Casey Donovan, honoured for Listen With Your

Step on up ... Casey Donovan, honoured for Listen With Your Heart.
Photo: Sahlan Hayes

The last time Casey Donovan walked up the Opera House steps she was oblivious to the sea of screaming fans. It was the Australian Idol final and her main concern was making it to the top without tripping.

Yesterday she walked up the stairs again, sans the screaming teens. She won Idol last year and was a winner again last night at a ceremony for the Deadlys, being named artist of the year and winning single of the year for her song Listen With Your Heart.

"Yeah, it's brought back so many memories, walking up those stairs," Donovan said. "I'm going, 'God, was there that many?' Last year I was overwhelmed with everything. I don't think I was thinking when I was walking. I just had to get to the top, had to not fall over, had to watch my dress."

It is not the first time the 17-year-old has taken home a Deadly, the nation's most prestigious Aboriginal awards, which recognise achievement in music, sport, entertainment and community service.

Last year, when she won for most promising new talent, she could not attend the ceremony because she was busy with Australian Idol.

"This year I'm more excited because I'm actually here," she said. "Last year I was like, 'Oh, I gotta do this song on Sunday'."

A relaxed, smiling Donovan relished the laid-back nature of the Deadlys. "It's running on Koori time."

Donovan said she was working on a new album, taking her time after recording her debut album, For You, in seven days.

She has also watched this year's Idol with what seems to be a sense of relief.

"It is a bit weird, because I know what they're going through and I saw them all yesterday and they're all like, 'Casey, how did you get through it?' They will push you around, you will get sleepless nights, and they were."

Donovan still appears keen to get away from it all and just sing. "I wouldn't mind going around Australia and doing some nice, quiet jazz gigs."
