Jodi Gordon has solidified herself as one of Australia’s soap opera queens, having landed high-profile gigs on Home and Away and more recently, Neighbours.
But nowadays, the 36-year-old’s most important role is being mum to her daughter Aleeia Anasta, whom she shares with ex-husband Braith Anasta.
Jodi opened up to Now to Love this week, saying motherhood and Aleeia are “all things magic”.
“She’s my greatest pride and joy, and makes life what it is. Motherhood isn’t always easy, I think everyone knows that but at the end of the day we do our best with the knowledge we have,” she says.
And it seems the seven-year-old might follow in her mother’s footsteps and enter the entertainment industry (when she’s a lot older, of course.)
“I think she could possibly be an entertainer of some sort, but maybe stage or singing and dancing. Maybe not acting,” Jodi says.
Jodi revealed Aleeia takes after her in more ways than just their shared love of performing.
“I think she has my sprit, [she’s] always laughing, singing and dancing, loves a chat, and understanding of people,” the homegrown star says.
“She’s obsessed with music, makeup, art, cartwheels and Harry Styles,” she adds with a laugh.
“She also has this side of her that really wants to understand how to help those less fortunate than her, this makes me so proud. She’s a truly special little girl.”
With Christmas fast approaching, Jodi revealed she and Aleeia will spend the holidays “dancing” with friends, surrounded by lots of yummy food.
Jodi and Aleeia’s father Braith, a former NRL star, tied the knot in 2012. The couple put on a united front on the social scene, but cracks began to emerge, and three years later they divorced.
Despite their relationship not working out, Jodi and Braith have a healthy co-parenting relationship based on putting Aleeia’s needs first.
In music to die-hard Home and Away fans’ ears, Jodi hasn’t entirely ruled out reprising her role as Martha Mackenzie.
“Why not? I love Martha, so who knows,” she teases.
Jodi was a Summer Bay staple from 2005 until 2010 when she walked away from the show. She then went on to star in rival soap Neighbours from 2016 to early last year.
But putting her time on Australia’s two biggest soaps behind her for the time being, Jodi is working on other exciting projects.
“I’m filming a TV show at the moment and I’m excited to start my own business and start the development of a few new products as well,” she reveals.
“There are so many exciting things happening right now, my gratitude is through the roof!”
One of her latest successes includes being named as an ambassador for her boyfriend Aidan Walshe’s luxury luggage company, Aidan the Brand.
“I have been a long time supporter of ATB and have recently shot the new campaign which looks insane. The range is everything you want in modern, cool luxurious way to travel. I love the whole aesthetic of Aidan the Brand,” she says.
“I’m a big advocate for supporting Australian brands and the Aussie way of life, which is why it was exciting to collaborate on this project and be a part of curating the range, which offers superior design and craftsmanship, for an attainable price.”