Christine Anu
Template:Short description Template:Use Australian English Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox musical artist Maia Christine Anu (born on 15 March 1970) is an Australian singer-songwriter and actress of Torres Strait Islander origin. She gained popularity with the cover song release of the Warumpi Band's song "My Island Home" in 1995. Anu has been nominated for many ARIA Awards, winning several, as well as five Deadly Awards, among others. In August 2024 she released a new album and single of the same name, Waku: Minaral a Minalay.
She started her career as a dancer, and has had an acting career in film, stage (including musical theatre), and television, as well as hosting the Weekend Evenings radio show on ABC Radio.
Early life and education
Maia Christine Anu,<ref name="APRA Monkey">Template:Cite web</ref> was born in Cairns, Queensland, on 15 March 1970.<ref name="McFarlane">Template:Cite book</ref><ref name=npg>Template:Cite web</ref> She did not know who her biological father was, and grew up with her Torres Strait Islander mother and stepfather<ref name=gbogbo2024>Template:Cite web</ref> all over Queensland.<ref name="frog princess">Template:Cite news</ref> Her mother is from Saibai Island,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite episode</ref> and her stepfather was a respected songman on Saibai,<ref name=gbogbo2024/> originally from Mabuiag Island. He sang traditional songs of the islands, and encouraged family singalongs.<ref name=npg/><ref name=allmusic>Template:Cite web</ref> He died in 1979 when Christine was 10 years old.<ref name=gbogbo2024/>
Anu attended Emmaus College in Rockhampton, from which she graduated in 1987. Dancing being her first love, she moved to inner-city Sydney to study at the National Aboriginal and Islander Skills Development Association (later known as NAISDA Dance College),<ref>(2013) Christine Anu: The New Bloody Mary Template:Webarchive, Stage Whispers. Retrieved 7 March 2020.</ref><ref>(23 October 2013) Catching up with Christine Anu Template:Webarchive, Deadly Vibe. Retrieved 7 March 1988.</ref><ref name=allmusic/> which had been established by Carole Johnson.<ref name=":0"/> She earned an Associate degree in dance in 1992.<ref name=encyc/>
Career
Music
Anu began performing as a dancer while at college,<ref name=":0">Template:Cite web</ref> and became a member of the Bangarra Dance Theatre and the Aboriginal Islander Dance Theatre troupes.<ref name=npg/> She toured with Bangarra in 1992 and 1993.<ref name=encyc/>
She went on to sing back-up vocals for the Rainmakers, which included Neil Murray, formerly founder-member of the Warumpi Band, for a year.<ref name=allmusic/> Her first recording was in 1993 with "Last Train", a dance remake of a Paul Kelly song.<ref name="frog princess"/><ref name=npg/> The follow-up, "Monkey and the Turtle", was based on a traditional nursery rhyme from the Torres Strait Islands.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In 1995, Neil Murray won an Australasian Performing Right Association songwriting award for writing "My Island Home".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Anu covered the song, which gained immediate popularity, causing her to be remembered as the principal singer of the song. She released her first album, Stylin' Up, which went platinum,<ref name="frog princess"/> in 1995.<ref name=npg/>
"Come On" was released as the fourth and final single from Stylin' Up. The song peaked at number 94 in Australia on the ARIA Charts.<ref name=aus>Template:Cite web N.B. The HP column displays the highest peak reached.</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> At the ARIA Music Awards of 1996 the song won two of three awards for which it was nominated, including Best Female Artist and Best Indigenous Release.<ref name="ARIA1996">Template:Cite web</ref> In that year she also won a Deadly Award for best female artist.<ref name=encyc>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=barton2013>Template:Cite web</ref>
Baz Luhrmann asked her to sing on the song "Now Until the Break of Day" on his 1997 album Something for Everybody album. It was released as a single, with the video winning another ARIA award in 1999, and led to her being cast in Moulin Rouge!.<ref name="frog princess"/><ref name=encyc/>
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".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In that year, she won the Female Artist of The Year Deadly Award.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In 2000, Anu released Come My Way which peaked at number 18 on the ARIA albums chart and went gold.<ref name="frog princess"/> She released the hit single "Sunshine on a Rainy Day", for which she won the ARIA Awards for both Best Female Artist and Engineer of the Year.<ref name=barton2013/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In the same year, she sang the song "My Island Home" at the Sydney 2000 Olympics Closing Ceremony.<ref>Christine Anu's 45 Degrees. Abc.net.au. Retrieved on 12 June 2012.</ref>
In 2003, Anu released her third studio album, 45 Degrees, and in 2005 released Acoustically.<ref name=npg/> In that year, she was again winner of the Deadly Award for Female Artist of the Year,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and in 2004 she won Single of the Year for "Talk About Love".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In February and March 2007, Anu toured New South Wales with a new stage show, Black is Blue, singing the songs of blues legends such as Billie Holiday, Nina Simone, Marlene Cummins, and Ella Fitzgerald.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Also that year she toured a children's show and released an associate album titled Chrissy's Island Family.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The album gained an ARIA Award nomination.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
On 26 September 2010, she released a new single, "Come Home", but it was not successful.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2012 she released the album Rewind: The Aretha Franklin Songbook.<ref name=npg/>
On 7 November 2014, Anu released a Christmas album, titled Island Christmas,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and the following year released ReStylin' Up 20 Years.<ref name=npg/>
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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Through 2023, Anu worked 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.<ref name=":0" /> The resulting album, Waku: Minaral a Minalay, was released on 2 August 2024.<ref name="waku">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=gbogbo2024/> Her daughter, Zipporah, wrote one of the songs on the album.<ref name=ford2024/>
Acting
Anu has had an acting career in film, stage (including musical theatre), and television.
She appeared in Dating the Enemy, a 1996 Australian film starring Guy Pearce and Claudia Karvan.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> She has also hosted children's television programme Play School.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Anu appeared in an Australian production of the stage musical Little Shop of Horrors,<ref name=npg/> and her stage career developed with a starring role as Mimi in the original Australian production of Rent<ref name=npg/> in 1998<ref name=barton2013/> and 1999,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> which played to glowing reviews. Anu was offered a role in a Broadway production of this musical but had to decline due to commitments in recording her second album.<ref name=barton2013/>
She had parts in the films Moulin Rouge! (2001) and The Matrix Reloaded (2003)<ref name=npg/> as Kali. She also played Kali on the video game Enter the Matrix.<ref name="screen world">Template:Cite book</ref>
From October 2004 through 2005, she toured Australia in Intimate and Deadly, a cabaret-style stage show based on her life.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=npg/> The show opened at Kabarett Voltaire in the Seymour Centre in Sydney, and toured to Melbourne.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In 2012 she played the lead role of 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.<ref name=vickery2012>Template:Cite web</ref>
On the 21 October 2024, it was announced she would be playing the role of Hermes in the touring Australian production of Hadestown.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Other TV
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, saying that she wished to be a role model, leading to her resignation as a judge in April 2004.<ref>Sydney Morning Herald article on her departure from Popstars Live Template:Webarchive, smh.com.au, 14 April 2004. Retrieved on 12 June 2012.</ref>
In 2009, Anu participated in Who Do You Think You Are.<ref name="wdytya">Template:Cite web</ref>
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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Anu also performed "Waltzing Matilda" at the 2003 AFL Grand Final<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and performed at the 2024 AFL Grand Final.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Radio
In December 2015, ABC announced that Anu would host the Evenings radio program on ABC Radio Sydney, ABC Radio Canberra and ABC Local Radio stations across New South Wales.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Anu shared the role with Dominic Knight, then took over full-time in April 2016 after Knight's resignation. In the first half of 2016 the program suffered a dip in the ratings after she began hosting.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In November 2016, ABC announced a national Evenings program on Friday and Saturday across ABC Local Radio, hosted by Anu. 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
After a break, Anu restarted presenting Weekend Evenings in January 2023.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Template:As of, Anu presents Weekend Evenings on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings, along with Sirine Demachkie.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Personal life
Anu is a mother of a son, Kuiam, and daughter,<ref name = "frog princess"/><ref name="2TLP" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Zipporah Corser Anu.<ref name=ford2024>Template:Cite web</ref> Zipporah's father is actor Rodger Corser,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and she is also musically talented.<ref name=gbogbo2024/>
Anu married her childhood sweetheart, Simon Deutrom, in 2010.<ref name=2TLP>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He is not the father of either of her children. In June 2016, Anu announced that she and Deutrom were separating after six years of marriage, and they later divorced.<ref name=docherty2024>Template:Cite web</ref>
She revealed in 2012 that she had struggled with weight gain, after suffering from depression, and appeared on the Nine Network's reality show Excess Baggage.<ref name=vickery2012/> After her separation from Deutrom, she lost Template:Cvt.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In February 2020, Anu pleaded guilty in the Rockhampton Magistrates Court to mid-range drunk driving, after having been pulled over by police in Rockhampton on New Year's Eve.<ref name=drink>Nufer, Darryn (24 February 2020) Pop star fronts court on drink driving charge Template:Webarchive, The Morning Bulletin. Retrieved 7 March 2020.</ref><ref name=driving>(24 February 2020) ARIA Award winner Christine Anu loses license for NYE drink driving Template:Webarchive, Nine News. Retrieved 7 March 2020.</ref> She was fined A$650 and had her driver's license suspended for three months.<ref name=drink/><ref name=driving/>
Discography
Studio albums
- Stylin' Up (1995)
- Come My Way (2000)
- 45 Degrees (2003)
- Acoustically (2005)
- Chrissy's Island Family (2007)
- Rewind: The Aretha Franklin Songbook (2012)
- Island Christmas (2014)
- Waku: Minaral a Minalay (2024)
Live albums
- Intimate and Deadly (2010)
- ReStylin' Up 20 Years (2015)
Filmography
Films and television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Dating the Enemy | Minor role, first feature film<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | |
| 1998 | Wildside | TV guest appearance<ref name="frog princess" /><ref name="sea cliff" /> | |
| 2000 | It's a Wiggly Wiggly World | Herself | The Wiggles video and album<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| 2001 | Moulin Rouge! | Dancer | <ref name="frog princess"/> |
| 2003 | The Matrix Reloaded | Kali | Also lent voice to video game Enter the Matrix<ref name="screen world"/> |
| 2004 | Popstars Live | Judge | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| 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<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| 2012 | Outland | Rae | Lead role |
| 2012 | Excess Baggage | Herself | Celebrity contestant<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| 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
The following list includes selected stage performances by Anu.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
| 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<ref name="sea cliff">Template:Cite web</ref> |
| 1998–99 | Rent | Mimi | Stage musical |
| 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<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="whispers">Template:Cite web</ref> |
| 2014 | Parramatta Girls | Stage play | |
| 2016 | Hairspray | Motormouth Maybelle | Arena production |
| 2025 | Hadestown | Mrs. Hermes | Stage musical |
Awards and nominations
At the 2025 NAIDOC Awards Anu was presented with the Creative Talent Award.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
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. ARIA Awards won by Anu include:<ref name="ARIA Award History">Template:Cite web</ref>
| Year | Award<ref name="ARIA Award History"/> | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Best Video | "Last Train" | Template:Nom |
| Breakthrough Artist – Single | Template:Nom | ||
| 1995 | Best Indigenous Release | Stylin' Up | Template:Won |
| Breakthrough Artist – Album | Template:Nom | ||
| Best Female Artist | Template:Nom | ||
| Album of the Year | Template:Nom | ||
| Song of the Year | "Island Home" | Template:Nom | |
| 1996 | Best Indigenous Release | "Come On" | Template:Won |
| Best Pop Release | Template:Nom | ||
| Best Female Artist | Template:Won | ||
| 1998 | Best Video (director Baz Luhrmann) | "Now Until the Break of Day" | Template:Won |
| 2000 | Engineer of the Year | "Sunshine on a Rainy Day" | Template:Won |
| Best Female Artist | Template:Nom | ||
| 2001 | Best Pop Release | Come My Way | Template:Nom |
| Best Female Artist | Template:Nom | ||
| 2007 | Best Children's Album | Chrissy's Island Family | Template:Nom |
| 2015 | Best World Music Album | Island Christmas | Template:Nom |
| 2024 | Best World Music Album | Waku: Minaral a Minalay | Template:Nom |
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.
Template:Awards table |- | rowspan="2" | 2019<ref name="AWMA2019">Template:Cite web</ref> | Christine Anu | Diversity in Music Award | Template:Won |- | Christine Anu | Artistic Excellence Award | Template:Won Template:End
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. Template:Awards table |- | 1996 | Herself | Female Artist of the Year | Template:Won |- | 1998 | Herself | Female Artist of the Year | Template:Won |- | 2000 | "Sunshine on a Rainy Day" | Single of the Year | Template:Won |- | 2003 | Herself | Female Artist of the Year | Template:Won |- | 2004 | "Talk About Love" | Single of the Year | Template:Won |- Template:End
Green Room Awards
| Year | Award | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Best Female Actor in a Leading Roles (Music Theatre) | Rent | Template:Won |
National Indigenous Music Awards
The National Indigenous Music Awards is an annual awards ceremony that recognises the achievements of Indigenous Australians in music.
Template:Awards table ! Template:Abbr |- ! scope="row" rowspan="1"| 2024 | "Waku: Minaral a Minalay" | Song of the Year | Template:Nominated | rowspan="1"| <ref name="NIMA2024noms">Template:Cite web</ref> |}
Queensland Music Awards
The Queensland Music Awards (previously known as Q Song Awards) are annual awards celebrating Queensland, Australia's emerging artists. They commenced in 2006.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Template:Awards table ! Template:Abbr |- | 2025 | herself | Lifetime Achievement Award | Template:Yes2 |<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |}
References
External links
- Template:Official
- Template:IMDb name
- Template:Allmusic
- Christine Anu on AusStage
- Interview with Christine Anu (2004)
- Waiting for Zipporah (Christine Anu) at National Portrait Gallery (Australia)
Template:Christine Anu Template:ARIA Award for Best Female Artist 1990s Template:Torres Strait
- Living people
- 1970 births
- 21st-century Australian singers
- 21st-century Australian women singers
- APRA Award winners
- ARIA Award winners
- Australian children's television presenters
- Australian women pop singers
- Australian women television presenters
- Indigenous Australian actresses
- Indigenous Australian musicians
- MGM Records artists
- Mushroom Records artists
- Musicians from Queensland
- People from Cairns
- Culture of the Torres Strait Islands
- Torres Strait Islanders
- Blinky Bill
- Torres Strait Islander women