When Stephanie Panozzo and Angelina Thomson both landed roles in Home And Away in 2022, the pressure of becoming part of one of Australia’s best-known shows while far from their homes and partners saw the actresses become a shoulder to cry on for the other.
“There have been many times in the past two years where I’ve come to work, seen Steph and just bawled my eyes out while she’s held me, and we’ve cried in each other’s arms,” Angelina, 26, tells TV WEEK. “We’re doing long-distance with our partners, so we have that shared experience.”
“It’s a rollercoaster, and I can’t imagine what it would have been like to do solo,” Stephanie, 29, adds.
Their characters, Eden (Stephanie) and Kirby (Angelina), are both members of four-piece rock band Lyrik – in real life, the pair are accomplished musicians too.
“The connection with music really ties us all together when we’re on set,” Angelina says. “We all jam in between songs whenever they’re doing new set-ups [for scenes]. Someone will be playing the guitar, then Steph and I will start singing. That connection with music brings us together.”
Although their characters started out on the show at the same time, the pair have their own storylines and love interests, which sometimes takes the Bay besties away from one another.
“Our storyline started together, and then I dated Cash [Nicholas Cartwright] and Kirby dated Theo [Matt Evans] and we kind of got separated,” Steph says. “It made me emotional, because I thought, ‘Gosh – what if Angie and I do ever get separated?’ But whenever we come back together, it feels like home.”
As two of Summer Bay’s cool chicks, it’s no surprise that Eden and Kirby have had male admirers and relationships on the show. Thankfully, when the actresses have had to film intimate scenes, their partners in real life haven’t been too fazed.
“There was an initial conversation about that, but when you’re dating an actor, it’s kind of a given that those scenes might be a possibility,” Stephanie explains. “But my partner was pretty understanding.”
“On set, you know there’s nothing romantic about it,” Angelina adds. “It’s [a love scene] so choreographed. You need an arm here, your hair there… it’s all very thought-out – it’s like a dance. Then you have 15 to 20 crew standing around and an intimacy coordinator to make sure everyone is safe, so it isn’t what you think.”
Bubbly Melbourne-born Stephanie and Angelina, who has Cook Islands heritage, both “don’t really drink” and spend their time outside of work eating açaí bowls and doing silly photo shoots on Coogee Beach in Sydney’s east, taking in the beautiful surrounds and feeling grateful to be a part of the Home And Away legacy – together.
“At first, I tried to not even acknowledge I was on the show, because I was trying to focus so much on the work so I didn’t get overwhelmed by the legacy or the fact that I’m a part of this huge thing that I wanted for so long,” Angelina says.
But now that the women have settled in, they love to walk around the Channel Seven set, embracing their dream jobs and celebrating how far they’ve come in their careers.
“It’s surreal,” Steph says. “This was such a big dream before I came here, and then I catch myself walking around between scenes, in the pier diner, in my little dressing gown with my name on it, and it’s a nice reminder that I’m doing the right thing.”
Having grown up idolising the show, Angelina needed a minute to wrap her head around her new reality when she filmed her first scene with Ray Meagher, who plays Bay stalwart Alf Stewart.
“I remember trying to control my racing heart,” she recalls. “I was so nervous and trying to keep my cool. I grew up watching people like Emily Symons [Marilyn], Georgie Parker [Roo] and Ada Nicodemou [Leah] and now I’m here with them.”
The actresses have big dreams for themselves now, knowing what they are capable of. But that doesn’t necessarily only apply to their careers, as they both hope to one day juggle their love of acting and starting a family.
“We’re lucky that we’re surrounded by so many people who are doing both [having kids and a career],” Stephanie says. “When you’re close to it and can see it, it makes it feel possible.”
“Careers can come and go, but creating life is so important,” Angelina says. “I truly believe that I will learn things in birthing children – a new strength and a new power within myself, and that some of the biggest, best, most incredible things that I’ll do in my career will be post-kids.”
As for whether Hollywood is in their sights, anything is possible, but seeing each other happy is what is most important to them.
“The world is our oyster,” Steph declares. “I’m learning and growing so much at Home And Away, but I’m excited for whatever happens next. I know it’s going to be a journey and I’m excited to do it with you [Angelina]. We’ve cried together, we’ve laughed each other through – I just can’t wait to see what you do next.”
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