Christine Anu
Christine Anu (born 15 March 1970) is an Australian pop singer-songwriter and actress of Torres Strait Islander heritage. She gained popularity with the cover song release of the Warumpi Band's song "My Island Home". Anu has been nominated for 17 ARIA Awards.[1]
Christine Anu | |
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![]() Anu in 2007 | |
Background information | |
Born | Cairns, Queensland, Australia | 15 March 1970
Origin | Torres Strait Islands, Queensland, Australia |
Genres | Pop |
Occupation(s) |
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Instruments | Vocals |
Years active | 1993–present |
Labels | Independent |
Website | christineanu |
Life and career
Early life
Anu was born on 15 March 1970 in Cairns, Queensland,[2] to a Torres Strait Islander mother from Saibai.[3][4]
Anu attended Emmaus College in Rockhampton where she graduated from in 1987 before studying at the National Aboriginal and Islander Skills Development Association in Sydney.[5][6]
Music career
![](../I/201000_-_Opening_Ceremony_Christine_Anu_performs_-_3b_-_2000_Sydney_opening_ceremony_photo.jpg.webp)
Anu began performing as a dancer and later went on to sing back-up vocals for the Rainmakers, which included Neil Murray of the Warumpi Band. Her first recording was in 1993 with "Last Train", a dance remake of a Paul Kelly song. The follow-up, "Monkey and the Turtle", was based on a traditional story. After "My Island Home", she released her first album, Stylin' Up, which went platinum.[2]
In 1995, Neil Murray won an Australasian Performing Right Association songwriting award for writing "My Island Home". Anu won an ARIA Award for best female recording artist as well as a Deadly Sounds National Aboriginal & Islander Music Awards award in 1996 for best female artist.
Baz Luhrmann asked her to sing on the song "Now Until the Break of Day" on his Something for Everybody album. It was released as a single and the video then won another ARIA award and led to her being cast in Moulin Rouge!.[2]
In January 1998, Anu teamed up with Archie Roach, Paul Kelly, Judith Durham, Renee Geyer, Kutcha Edwards and Tiddas and formed Singers for the Red Black and Gold. Together they released a cover of "Yil Lull".
In, 2000, Anu released Come My Way which peaked at number 18 on the ARIA albums chart and went gold.[2] In 2000 she sang the song "My Island Home" at the Sydney 2000 Olympics Closing Ceremony.[7]
In November 2003, Anu released her third studio album, 45 Degrees.
In 2007, Anu toured a children's show and released an associate album titled Chrissy's Island Family. The album gained an ARIA Award nomination.
On 26 September 2010, she released a new digital only single, "Come Home".
On 7 November 2014, Anu released a Christmas album, titled Island Christmas.[8]
In March 2018, Anu released a duet version of "Without You" from the musical Rent with Greg Gould. The lyric video featured photography from around the world, each photo with a splash of red for HIV/AIDS support and awareness.[9]
Acting and TV career
Anu has also had an acting plus TV career. She appeared in Dating the Enemy, a 1996 Australian film starring Guy Pearce and Claudia Karvan. She then appeared in an Australian production of the stage musical Little Shop of Horrors in the same year.
Anu's stage career developed with a starring role in the original Australian production of Rent in 1998 and 1999. Anu was offered a role in a Broadway production of this musical but had to decline due to commitments in recording her second album. Her links with Baz Luhrmann led to him offering her a part in Moulin Rouge!. In 2003, she appeared as Kali in The Matrix Reloaded and played the character on the video game Enter the Matrix.
In 2004, she became a judge on Popstars Live, a television quest broadcast on the Seven Network at 6.30 pm on Sunday night in Australia along the lines of Australian Idol. The program failed to achieve a similar level of success, leading network executives to pressure the judges to offer harsher criticism of the contestants. Anu refused to offer harsher criticism, leading to her resignation as a judge in April 2004. In a statement issued on her departure, she said: "I chose to play a positive role model and wanted to encourage these young people in their endeavours, rather than criticise them. Although leaving Popstars Live was a difficult decision for me to make, I do feel somewhat relieved that I can now focus on my music."[10]
In 2009, Anu participated in Who Do You Think You Are.[11] She appeared again on television in 2012, in the Australian sci-fi television series Outland, about a gay sci-fi fan club. Anu plays wheelchair using Rae, the sole female member of the group.
In August 2020, Anu was revealed to be the 'Goldfish' in the second season of The Masked Singer Australia and was the third contestant unmasked, placing 10th overall.[12]
Radio
In December 2015, ABC announced that Anu will host the Evenings radio program on ABC Radio Sydney, ABC Radio Canberra and ABC Local Radio stations across New South Wales.[13] Anu shared the role with Dominic Knight, then took over full reigns in April after Knight's resignation. In the first half of 2016 the program suffered a dip in the ratings after she began hosting.[14][15][16]
In November 2016, ABC announced will host a national Evenings program on Friday and Saturday across ABC Local Radio. Chris Bath replaced Anu as host of Evenings from Monday to Thursday on ABC Radio Sydney, ABC Radio Canberra and ABC Local Radio stations across New South Wales.
Personal life
Anu is a mother of two, son Kuiam (born 1996) and daughter Zipporah (born 2002).[2][17][18] Zipporah's father is actor Rodger Corser.[19]
Anu married her childhood sweetheart, Simon Deutrom, in 2010.[17][20]
In June 2016, Anu announced that she and Deutrom were separating after six years of marriage.
On 24 February 2020, Anu pleaded guilty in the Rockhampton Magistrates Court to mid-range drink driving after recording a blood alcohol reading of 0.109 after she was pulled over by police in Rockhampton on New Year's Eve.[21][22] Magistrate Philippa Beckinsale fined Anu $650 and suspended her driver's license for three months.[21][22]
Discography
Studio albums
- Stylin' Up (1995)
- Come My Way (2000)
- 45 Degrees (2003)
- Acoustically (2005)
- Chrissy's Island Family (2007)
- Rewind: The Aretha Franklin Songbook (2012)
- Island Christmas (2014)
Live albums
- Intimate and Deadly (2010)
- ReStylin' Up 20 Years (2015)
Filmography
Films and television
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1996 | Dating the Enemy | Minor role, first feature film[23] | |
1998 | Wildside | TV guest appearance[2][24] | |
2000 | It's a Wiggly Wiggly World | Herself | The Wiggles video and album[25] |
2001 | Moulin Rouge! | Dancer | [2] |
2003 | The Matrix Reloaded | Kali | Also lent voice to video game Enter the Matrix[26] |
2004 | Popstars Live | Judge | [27] |
2004 | Play School | ||
2005 | The Alice | Valerie | Episodes 1.11 and 1.13 |
2005 | Blinky Bill's White Christmas | ||
2007 | East West 101 | Fiona Baker | Episode "Death at the Station" |
2007 | Toasted TV | ||
2009 | Who Do You Think You Are? | Herself | Episode "Christine Anu" aired 18 October 2009[28] |
2012 | Outland | Rae | Lead role[29] |
2012 | Excess Baggage | Herself | Celebrity contestant[30] |
2013 | Dance Academy | Summer | Episode "Travelling Light" |
2015 | Ready for This | Vee | |
2017 | Kiki and Kitty | Mum | 5 episodes |
2018-2020 | Black Comedy | Herself | 4 episodes |
2020 | The Masked Singer (Australia) | Goldfish | Contestant (10th Place) |
Theatre and stage performances
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1994 | Bad Boy Johnny and the Prophets of Doom | Stage musical | |
1996-97 | Little Shop of Horrors | Crystal | David Atkins musical[24] |
1998–99 | Rent | Mimi | Stage musical[32] |
2002-03 | Kissing Frogs | ||
2010 | The Sapphires | ||
2011 | Rainbow's End | Gladys Banks | Stage play. 2009 Parramatta production and 2011 national tour. |
2013 | South Pacific | Bloody Mary | Stage musical[33][34] |
2014 | Parramatta Girls | Stage play | |
2016 | Hairspray | Motormouth Maybelle | Arena production |
Awards and nominations
ARIA Awards
Year | Award[1] | Work | Result | Lost to |
---|---|---|---|---|
1994 | Best Video | "Last Train" | Nominated | INXS - "The Gift" |
Breakthrough Artist – Single | Nominated | The Badloves - "Lost" | ||
1995 | Best Indigenous Release | Stylin' Up | Won | N/A |
Breakthrough Artist – Album | Nominated | Silverchair - Frogstomp | ||
Best Female Artist | Nominated | Tina Arena - Don’t Ask | ||
Album of the Year | Nominated | Tina Arena - Don’t Ask | ||
Song of the Year | "Island Home" | Nominated | Tina Arena - "Chains" | |
1996 | Best Indigenous Release | "Come On" | Won | N/A |
Best Pop Release | Nominated | Nick Cave & Kylie Minogue - "Where The Wild Roses Grow" | ||
Best Female Artist | Won | N/A | ||
1998 | Best Video | "Now Until the Break of Day" | Won | N/A |
2000 | Engineer of the Year | "Sunshine on a Rainy Day" | Won | N/A |
Best Female Artist | Nominated | Kasey Chambers - The Captain | ||
2001 | Best Pop Release | Come My Way | Nominated | Kylie Minogue - Light Years |
Best Female Artist | Nominated | Kylie Minogue - Light Years | ||
2007 | Best Children's Album | Chrissy's Island Family | Nominated | The Wiggles - Pop Go The Wiggles! |
2015 | Best World Music Album | Island Christmas | Nominated | Gurrumul - The Gospel Album |
Deadly Awards
The Deadly Awards, (commonly known simply as The Deadlys), was an annual celebration of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander achievement in music, sport, entertainment and community. They ran from 1996 to 2013.
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
---|---|---|---|
Deadly Awards 1996 | "herself" | Female Artist of the Year | Won |
Deadly Awards 1998 | "herself" | Female Artist of the Year | Won |
Deadly Awards 2000 | "Sunshine on a Rainy Day" | Single of the Year | Won |
Deadly Awards 2003 | "herself" | Female Artist of the Year | Won |
Deadly Awards 2004 | "Talk About Love" | Single of the Year | Won |
Green Room Awards
Year | Award | Work | Result |
---|---|---|---|
1999 | Green Room Award for Best Female Actor in a Leading Roles (Music Theatre) | Rent | Won |
References
- "History: Winners by Artist: Christine Anu". ARIA Awards. Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Archived from the original on 19 May 2011. Retrieved 18 May 2009.
- Keenan, Catherine (18 January 2003). "Frog princess". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
- "Christine Anu – Biography". BiggestStars.com. Archived from the original on 7 July 2009. Retrieved 14 December 2009.
- "Christine Anu". Who Do You Think You Are?. Season 2. Episode 4. 18 October 2009. 3:55 minutes in. Special Broadcasting Service. SBS One.
- (2013) Christine Anu: The New Bloody Mary, Stage Whispers. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
- (23 October 2013) Catching up with Christine Anu, Deadly Vibe. Retrieved 7 March 1988.
- Christine Anu's 45 Degrees. Abc.net.au. Retrieved on 12 June 2012.
- "Island Christmas - Christine Anu". iTunes Australia. Retrieved 6 November 2014.
- "Without You". iTunes Australia. Retrieved 24 March 2018.
- Sydney Morning Herald article on her departure from Popstars Live, smh.com.au, 14 April 2004. Retrieved on 12 June 2012.
- "Season 2 episodes | Who Do You Think You Are on SBS". Retrieved 7 January 2014.
- Woolford, Lisa (17 August 2020). "The Masked Singer Australia: Christine Anu unmasked on Ten's hit reality show". The Daily Telegraph. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 17 August 2020.
- Bodey, Michael (4 December 2015). "Wendy Harmer to replace Linda Mottram on 702 ABC Sydney". The Australian. Retrieved 4 December 2015.
- Bodey, Michael (31 May 2016). "Radio ratings: Sydney stable amid Melbourne moves". The Australian. Retrieved 10 August 2016.
- "Sydney Radio Survey 4, 2016" (PDF).
- "Sydney Radio Survey 3, 2016" (PDF).
- "Christine Anu". Ngarralinyi 2TLP Community Indigenous Radio. Archived from the original on 22 July 2013. Retrieved 26 July 2013.
- "Christine Anu". Essential Baby. 25 September 2008. Retrieved 26 July 2013.
- "Rush star Rodger Corser and Renae Berry expecting first child together". Herald Sun. 19 April 2010. Retrieved 26 July 2013.
- "Christine Anu: My Facebook wedding". New Idea. 15 November 2010. Archived from the original on 29 November 2012. Retrieved 26 July 2013.
- Nufer, Darryn (24 February 2020) Pop star fronts court on drink driving charge, The Morning Bulletin. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
- (24 February 2020) ARIA Award winner Christine Anu loses license for NYE drink driving, Nine News. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
- "Catching up with Christine Anu". Deadly Vibe. Retrieved 26 June 2014.
- "Gig of the week: Christine Anu". Sea Cliff Coast. 13 December 2010. Archived from the original on 26 June 2014. Retrieved 26 June 2014.
- "WIGGLES, THE: IT'S A WIGGLY WIGGLY WORLD | Roadshow Entertainment". Roadshow.co.nz. Archived from the original on 8 February 2013. Retrieved 26 June 2014.
- Willis, John (June 2005). Screen World - John Willis - Google Books. ISBN 9781557836380. Retrieved 26 June 2014.
- "Anu: Why I quit - TvRadio". www.smh.com.au. 14 April 2004. Retrieved 26 June 2014.
- "Who Do You Think You Are | Tuesdays on SBS". Sbs.com.au. 29 March 2019. Retrieved 8 March 2020.
- Vickery, Colin (31 January 2012). "Excess Baggage's Christine Anu ready to star in ABC sitcom Outland". News.com.au. Retrieved 26 June 2014.
- "Christine Anu". Channelnine.ninemsn.com.au. Archived from the original on 1 February 2012. Retrieved 26 June 2014.
- "Christine Anu". www.ausstage.edu.au. AusStage. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
- "Australia's Rent Premieres in Sydney Nov. 4". Playbill.com. Archived from the original on 26 June 2014. Retrieved 26 June 2014.
- Words By Robert Dunstan. "South Pacific Music - Festival Theatre Adelaide". Ripitup.com.au. Archived from the original on 28 March 2014. Retrieved 26 June 2014.
- "Christine Anu: The New Bloody Mary". Stage Whispers. 27 January 2013. Retrieved 26 June 2014.
External links
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