Popstar Casey Donovan 'I'm healthier than ever!'

After a few tumultuous years, Casey Donovan can finally admit she's found true happiness.

"I feel amazing," the former Australian Idol winner tells Woman's Day. "Everyone who has crossed my path has just said that I've been looking as happy, healthy and radiant. I'm certainly feeling it."

The 34-year-old songstress, who is more than halfway through her new lifestyle with Jenny Craig, reveals she now fits into a size-18 dress.

"It's just a number, but wow!" she enthuses. "I was sitting in a 26 to 28."

While her ultimate goal is to lose 20kg, after trying every fad diet under the sun, Casey admits she's taking a more relaxed approach this time and instead of focusing on the scales, she's concentrating on the positive impact on her mental health.

"It's beyond," says the singer. "My anxiety has subsided – it's still there, but it's so much more manageable. When I'm eating and feeling good, and those past traumas do come up, I now have the tools to go, 'OK, this is how I'm going to get through this.'"

In December, it'll be 19 years since Casey stood on stage at the Sydney Opera House and was declared the winner of season two of Australian Idol. Reflecting on her journey, she acknowledges that while the experience was invaluable, it didn't set her up with the healthiest mindset for the challenges that lay ahead.

"I mean, one of the biggest sponsors was McDonald's," she recalls, revealing that the final contestants were given a "gold card" that granted them free food from the burger chain whenever they wanted.
"It's literally like giving drugs to a teenager. It was like, 'Macca's is our sponsor – go eat!'"

From there, Casey faced a "constant battle" with food, which only intensified when she was catfished into a fake online romance by her supposed best friend.

She tells, "I was going through a lot of personal things in my life and my music wasn't working, so I stopped that and got a normal job.

"I was clinging to everything that made me feel better and that was food.

The past 19 years after Idol have been a massive learning curve."

However, having just wrapped filming on her new music video, Casey assures us she's a different person compared to when she shot her first clip for hit single Listen With Your Heart in 2004.

"There's certainly a lot of confidence that's grown in this woman," she laughs. "It's been so great to embrace that. I'm not getting any younger. We only get one vessel in this life and this is mine. I just want to live a healthy and happy life."

And weight aside, Casey still has plenty to be thankful for. She has never been more in demand in her career, with several headline gigs, TV appearances and a starring role in new stage musical
& Juliet locked in for 2023.

She has also released her catchy new single Shake It and her relationship with Renee Sharples is moving from strength to strength. Casey smiles, "We're still in our happy little love bubble. It's been beautiful."

Of their future, the clucky star says, "We've already been deep in discussion about having babies. When I get a minute to stop, I really want to get my body ready to have a child."

It's one of the main reasons she wanted to get back into shape again. "There are so many ins and outs with donors – you really have to plan these things – but we're certainly going to keep having these conversations this year. I can feel 2023 is going to be a good year."

Also on the cards, Casey hopes, is a trip back to New Zealand. She raves, "I absolutely love it there. The people, the culture, the beautiful coastlines and stunning mountains… It's incredible. I have family in Wellington and I've been fortunate enough to have travelled there a few times in my life. Every time I'm there, I fall more in love!

"The last time, I road-tripped from the South Island up to the North Island and stopped at some beautiful destinations, like Queenstown, Mt Cook, Christchurch, Napier, Lake Taupō and Rotorua. It was such a magical, fun trip. I can't wait to get back."