The sky is blue, the earth is round and Casey Donovan is a bloody legend.
Six weeks ago when the 28-year-old entered the South African jungle, we were cautious and perhaps a little hesitant.
After a 13-year hiatus from our TV screens, Casey admitted that she was nervous about being in the spotlight again, joking, “Things have changed since I was last on reality TV.”
Truer words have never been spoken.
We don’t know what’s worse, Mark Holden or a tucker trial…
The moment Casey entered the jungle, we knew something was different about her… And we loved it!
The singer entered the reality show to raise money for the Starlight Foundation, and in turn reminded the nation what an absolute star she is.
Unlike a sit down interview, I’m a Celeb strips down our favourite local gems to their core, and as viewers we discover their true story.
During her time in the South African jungle, Casey shed a light on how much she’s overcome… Over the course of a few episodes, she’d become one the nation’s most relatable celebrities.
“It has taken a long time for me to be (happy),” she mused.
“I’ve found confidence within myself. I’ve learnt how to smile. I’ve learnt how to talk. I’ve learnt how to take it easy. I’ve learnt how to just try and enjoy life for what it is.”
“I feel like I am at the place in my life now, almost 29 and 13 years in this business I’ve definitely got to see a lot and experience a lot and there is no place I’d rather be.”
It is no surprise that she join Nat and Dane in the top three.
Casey first won us over back in 2004, when she took out the second season of Australian Idol at the tender age of 16.
For those not familiar with Casey’s story, in a nutshell: At the age of 16 she won the country’s biggest music competition, she became a household name and landed a record deal.
Without the love and nurturing the then-teen needed, Casey was dumped by her label and went on to face a series of gut-wrenching personal ordeals, including most infamously being catfished for over six years.
During all this hardship, Casey was battling her inner demons and weight issues.
After well over a decade, Casey started to get her life back on track. Before she entered the jungle, the singer became an Uber driver to help fund her independent album.
The 28-year-old has been kicking even more goals, losing almost 20kgs and forming some life-long friendships along the way.
Tonight, we’ll be crossing our fingers, toes, elbows and nose for the singer to take home the crown. But we might not even need to! The most recent stats from online bookmaker sportsbet.com.au reveal she’s the favourite to win at $1.45.
It’s clear we’re not the only ones who adore the curly-haired queen with almost every single eliminated celeb telling Now To Love they want her to take out the show.
Past winners of the reality show so far include British cricket star, Freddie Flintoff, in 2015 and AFL champ, Brendan Fevola, last year.
Drum roll… Casey Donovan through her campmates’ eyes
Looking incredible! Casey has shed close 20kgs over the course of six weeks.
Steve Price
“I’d love to see Casey Donovan win.”
“I think she’d be a wonderful queen of the jungle and we need a woman to finally win this show, and she’s the one that I think should win it. She’s incredible, she’s really great.”
Lisa Curry
“I think it’s time for a queen of the jungle.”
“I don’t mind which one[Nat or Casey] wins but I guess I’m leaning a little bit towards Casey. Only because her story is so emotional and dark.”
“She’s only young and I’d love to see her life go in leaps and bounds.”
“I’d love to see her fall in love. She’s talked about having a baby one day and I think to see her on the right track would be great for her.”
Lisa was Casey’s jungle mum.
Kris Smith
“Casey Donovan, I already knew she was a legend.”
“[Spending time with her] I just want to help her achieve her goal and lose some weight, if she still wants that on the outside world. I hope she does. It will be good!”
“I do want to see Casey win it, I really do.”
“I think she’s had a lot of turmoil in her life thus far and she’s 28 years old and she’s been through so much. It was beautiful how open she was about her past but she’s still got this big, bright smile on her face. Nothing gets her down.”
Kris and Casey hit it off from the very first moment.
The pair slayed more than tucker trials together… Kris is helping the singer reach her health goals.
“I already knew she was a legend.”
Carson Kressley
“I think football players and athletes win all the time because they’re so good at keeping their eyes on the prize.”
“They’re so intense and focused but I think it’s time there is a queen of the jungle and if it can’t be me it might as well be one of the girls like Casey!”
Tegan Martin
“It was really cool to see other people who went in with the mindset of losing weight and remain fit and healthy after this experience. People like Casey Donovan, she’s an incredible soul.”
“She lost 17kgs!”
“Kris, Lisa and I, who are probably the biggest health crazy people, were having great chats to her about how we can help her in the outside world. I’m definitely going to go for some walks with her and help her along the way because she’s such a beautiful soul and I think she’s got a great future ahead of her.”
Ash Pollard
“I’d love to see Casey Donovan win, I think she’s a top chick.”
“We need a queen of the jungle and I have dibs on Casey to take that out.”
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