“How do you feel about ageing?” That’s the question most women in the entertainment industry hear time and again as they get older.
But for Home And Away star Ada, well… she really couldn’t care less.
“I really don’t care about getting older,” the 40-year-old tells TV WEEK.
“In fact, my life just keeps getting better and better as the years go on.”
Best known for her role as Leah Patterson in the popular Aussie drama, Ada has been a fixture in living rooms across the country for the past 17 years. And fans will be happy to hear the actress has no plans to leave Summer Bay anytime soon.
“You know what? We all want someone we can identify with on TV,” Ada says.
“And you can’t stay young forever, so I’ve never worried about getting older in terms of my career. I plan to be on the show for as long as they’ll have me!” [Laughs]
Ada adds she and long-time co-stars Lynne McGranger (Irene) and Emily Symons (Marilyn) won’t allow their age to define them.
“We’ve been in the industry for a long time, and the key to success is to be a professional,” Ada reasons.
“I think it’s important for us older cast members to model that.”
Speaking of ageing, as TV WEEK celebrates turning the big 6-0, Ada has nothing but fond memories of the magazine. After all, she has appeared on the cover many times.
“I remember doing a TV WEEK shoot every week when I first started,” Ada recalls. “They’re always so fun.
“It’s such an iconic magazine to be a part of when you start out in the industry. I’ve always enjoyed taking part.”
Her vibrant clothes, flamboyant hair and ditsy nature are just some of the well-known character traits of Home And Away favourite Marilyn Chambers. But actress Emily Symons, who has played the role on and off since 1989, admits she’s not all that similar to her beloved alter-ego.
“There are some similarities between Marilyn and I, but I’m not exactly like her,” she explains. “We both try to be happy, but she’s more over the top!”
However, the 48-year-old likens Marilyn to her mother, Glenn, who she lost to cancer in 2010.
“I borrow a lot of inspiration from my mum,” she says. “She was very kind – and tremendously funny.”
After two decades playing Marilyn, the actress can still recall the moment her character became a household name.
“In the early ’90s, TV WEEK covered a lot of Marilyn’s relationships… of which there were many!” she says.
“In that era, Marilyn had curly hair and miniskirts, and was a bit ditsy – that’s when early Marilyn really came to life.
“I have so many fun memories from that time.”
