Christine Anu
Anu in 2007
Background information
Born (1970-04-15) 15 April 1970 (age 53)
Cairns, Queensland, Australia
OriginTorres Strait Islands, Queensland, Australia
GenresPop
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • actress
Instrument(s)Vocals
Years active1987–present
Labels

Christine Anu (born 15 March 1970) is an Australian singer, songwriter and actress. She gained popularity with the cover song release of the Warumpi Band's song "My Island Home". Anu won an Aria for Best Female Artist and has been nominated for 17 ARIA Awards.[1]

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

Anu performs at the 2000 Summer Paralympics Opening Ceremony

Anu began performing as a dancer, she studied dance at NAISDA (the National Aboriginal And Islander Skills Development Association) established by Carole Johnson in Sydney.[7] She 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.[8]

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.[9]

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.[10]

2023, sees Anu continuing to work on her first album since 2015's live ReStylin' Up 20 Years. The project is using German ethnomusicologist Wolfgang Laade's recordings of Anu's grandfather, Nadi Anu, which are held by the Australian Institute Of Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Studies.[7]

Acting and TV career

Anu has also had an acting career in film, stage and television. 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."[11]

In 2009, Anu participated in Who Do You Think You Are.[12] 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.[13]

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.[14] Anu shared the role with Dominic Knight, then took over full reins in April after Knight's resignation. In the first half of 2016 the program suffered a dip in the ratings after she began hosting.[15][16][17]

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][18][19] Zipporah's father is actor Rodger Corser.[20]

Anu married her childhood sweetheart, Simon Deutrom, in 2010.[18][21]

In June 2016, Anu announced that she and Deutrom were separating after six years of marriage.[citation needed]

On 24 February 2020, Anu pleaded guilty in the Rockhampton Magistrates Court to mid-range drunk driving after recording a blood alcohol reading of 0.109 after she was pulled over by police in Rockhampton on New Year's Eve.[22][23] Magistrate Philippa Beckinsale fined Anu $650 and suspended her driver's license for three months.[22][23]

Discography

Main article: Christine Anu discography

Studio albums

Live albums

Filmography

Films and television

List of films and television shows featuring Christine Anu
Year Title Role Notes
1996 Dating the Enemy Minor role, first feature film[24]
1998 Wildside TV guest appearance[2][25]
2000 It's a Wiggly Wiggly World Herself The Wiggles video and album[26]
2001 Moulin Rouge! Dancer [2]
2003 The Matrix Reloaded Kali Also lent voice to video game Enter the Matrix[27]
2004 Popstars Live Judge [28]
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[29]
2012 Outland Rae Lead role[30]
2012 Excess Baggage Herself Celebrity contestant[31]
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

List of theatre shows featuring Christine Anu[32]
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[25]
1998–99 Rent Mimi Stage musical[33]
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[34][35]
2014 Parramatta Girls Stage play
2016 Hairspray Motormouth Maybelle Arena production

Awards and nominations

ARIA Awards

The ARIA Music Awards are a set of annual ceremonies presented by Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), which recognise excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of the music of Australia. They commenced in 1987.

Year Award[1] Work Result
1994 Best Video "Last Train" Nominated
Breakthrough Artist – Single Nominated
1995 Best Indigenous Release Stylin' Up Nominated
Breakthrough Artist – Album Nominated
Best Female Artist Nominated
Album of the Year Nominated
Song of the Year "Island Home" Nominated
1996 Best Indigenous Release "Come On" Won
Best Pop Release Nominated
Best Female Artist Won
1998 Best Video (director Baz Luhrmann) "Now Until the Break of Day" Won
2000 Engineer of the Year "Sunshine on a Rainy Day" Won
Best Female Artist Nominated
2001 Best Pop Release Come My Way Nominated
Best Female Artist Nominated
2007 Best Children's Album Chrissy's Island Family Nominated
2015 Best World Music Album Island Christmas Nominated

Australian Women in Music Awards

The Australian Women in Music Awards is an annual event that celebrates outstanding women in the Australian Music Industry who have made significant and lasting contributions in their chosen field. They commenced in 2018.

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2019[36] Christine Anu Diversity in Music Award Won
Christine Anu Artistic Excellence Award Won

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
1996 "herself" Female Artist of the Year Won
1998 "herself" Female Artist of the Year Won
2000 "Sunshine on a Rainy Day" Single of the Year Won
2003 "herself" Female Artist of the Year Won
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

  1. ^ a b "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.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Keenan, Catherine (18 January 2003). "Frog princess". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
  3. ^ "Christine Anu – Biography". BiggestStars.com. Archived from the original on 7 July 2009. Retrieved 14 December 2009.
  4. ^ "Christine Anu". Who Do You Think You Are?. Season 2. Episode 4. 18 October 2009. 3:55 minutes in. Special Broadcasting Service. SBS One.
  5. ^ (2013) Christine Anu: The New Bloody Mary Archived 3 August 2016 at the Wayback Machine, Stage Whispers. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
  6. ^ (23 October 2013) Catching up with Christine Anu Archived 11 March 2020 at the Wayback Machine, Deadly Vibe. Retrieved 7 March 1988.
  7. ^ a b Wehner, Cyclone. "Christine Anu On Stylin Up, Passing The Baton & Revisiting Old Stomping Grounds". themusic.com.au. Retrieved 30 July 2023.
  8. ^ Christine Anu's 45 Degrees. Abc.net.au. Retrieved on 12 June 2012.
  9. ^ "Island Christmas - Christine Anu". iTunes Australia. Archived from the original on 24 December 2014. Retrieved 6 November 2014.
  10. ^ "Without You". iTunes Australia. Archived from the original on 24 March 2018. Retrieved 24 March 2018.
  11. ^ Sydney Morning Herald article on her departure from Popstars Live Archived 4 June 2016 at the Wayback Machine, smh.com.au, 14 April 2004. Retrieved on 12 June 2012.
  12. ^ "Season 2 episodes | Who Do You Think You Are on SBS". Archived from the original on 8 January 2014. Retrieved 7 January 2014.
  13. ^ Woolford, Lisa (17 August 2020). "The Masked Singer Australia: Christine Anu unmasked on Ten's hit reality show". The Daily Telegraph. News Corp Australia. Archived from the original on 17 July 2022. Retrieved 17 August 2020.
  14. ^ Bodey, Michael (4 December 2015). "Wendy Harmer to replace Linda Mottram on 702 ABC Sydney". The Australian. Retrieved 4 December 2015.
  15. ^ Bodey, Michael (31 May 2016). "Radio ratings: Sydney stable amid Melbourne moves". The Australian. Retrieved 10 August 2016.
  16. ^ "Sydney Radio Survey 4, 2016" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 23 September 2016. Retrieved 17 August 2016.
  17. ^ "Sydney Radio Survey 3, 2016" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 23 September 2016. Retrieved 17 August 2016.
  18. ^ a b "Christine Anu". Ngarralinyi 2TLP Community Indigenous Radio. Archived from the original on 22 July 2013. Retrieved 26 July 2013.
  19. ^ "Christine Anu". Essential Baby. 25 September 2008. Archived from the original on 5 November 2013. Retrieved 26 July 2013.
  20. ^ "Rush star Rodger Corser and Renae Berry expecting first child together". Herald Sun. 19 April 2010. Retrieved 26 July 2013.
  21. ^ "Christine Anu: My Facebook wedding". New Idea. 15 November 2010. Archived from the original on 29 November 2012. Retrieved 26 July 2013.
  22. ^ a b Nufer, Darryn (24 February 2020) Pop star fronts court on drink driving charge Archived 27 February 2020 at the Wayback Machine, The Morning Bulletin. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
  23. ^ a b (24 February 2020) ARIA Award winner Christine Anu loses license for NYE drink driving Archived 24 February 2020 at the Wayback Machine, Nine News. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
  24. ^ "Catching up with Christine Anu". Deadly Vibe. 23 October 2013. Archived from the original on 26 October 2014. Retrieved 26 June 2014.
  25. ^ a b "Gig of the week: Christine Anu". Sea Cliff Coast. 13 December 2010. Archived from the original on 26 June 2014. Retrieved 26 June 2014.
  26. ^ "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.
  27. ^ Willis, John (June 2005). Screen World - John Willis - Google Books. Hal Leonard Corporation. ISBN 9781557836380. Archived from the original on 17 July 2022. Retrieved 26 June 2014.
  28. ^ "Anu: Why I quit - TvRadio". www.smh.com.au. 14 April 2004. Archived from the original on 18 October 2015. Retrieved 26 June 2014.
  29. ^ "Who Do You Think You Are | Tuesdays on SBS". Sbs.com.au. 29 March 2019. Archived from the original on 26 October 2014. Retrieved 8 March 2020.
  30. ^ Vickery, Colin (31 January 2012). "Excess Baggage's Christine Anu ready to star in ABC sitcom Outland". News.com.au. Archived from the original on 6 January 2016. Retrieved 26 June 2014.
  31. ^ "Christine Anu". Channelnine.ninemsn.com.au. Archived from the original on 1 February 2012. Retrieved 26 June 2014.
  32. ^ "Christine Anu". AusStage. Archived from the original on 30 July 2016. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  33. ^ "Australia's Rent Premieres in Sydney Nov. 4". Playbill.com. Archived from the original on 26 June 2014. Retrieved 26 June 2014.
  34. ^ Dunstan, Robert. "South Pacific Music - Festival Theatre Adelaide". Rip It Up. Archived from the original on 28 March 2014. Retrieved 26 June 2014.
  35. ^ "Christine Anu: The New Bloody Mary". Stage Whispers. 27 January 2013. Archived from the original on 3 August 2016. Retrieved 26 June 2014.
  36. ^ "Congratulations to our 2019 Recipients & Finalists". women in Music Awards. October 2019. Archived from the original on 28 July 2020. Retrieved 19 March 2021.

External links

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