Home and Away star Ada Nicodemou’s first official role came in Aussie series Heartbreak High and the actress re-watched her opening scenes after being “too scared”
Ada Nicodemou acknowledged that the memory of her first television appearance “still haunts” her.
With Home and Away since 2000, the 46-year-old actress is well recognized for her role as Leah Patterson. Along with co-stars Ray Meagher and Lynne McGranger, she is among the cast members of an Australian soap drama with the longest tenure.
Ada’s career began in 1994 when she was cast as Australian TV series Heartbreak High’s Katerina Ioannou. The soap star admitted she couldn’t bring herself to watch the old footage of herself in an interview conducted in 2022 ahead of the TV WEEK Logies.
Speaking to Dave Hughes, Ed Kavalee and Erin Molan on their radio show, Hughesy, Ed and Erin, Ada said: “So, I did Heartbreak High when I was sixteen … Heartbreak’s now on Netflix and I just can’t watch it because I’m too scared to see what my acting was like, and my dancing as well.”
She added: “It was so groundbreaking at the time. It had people who looked like me on it, and we’d never had that on Australian TV… It still holds up I think but I am scared to watch it.”
Two years later, Ada decided to film herself as she watched a few of her scenes. The mum-of-one explained revealed that the director of the show even apologised to her for how one of the shots was filmed.
In one scene, a fresh-faced Ada could be seen seductively dancing in front of a group of school friends. Ada couldn’t hide her horror as she commented: “I’m so sorry. It’s so bad.”
With her hands on her head, a stunned Ada added: “What is with my dancing?” Cringing, the soap star went on: “This was Katarina’s introduction to the show. I’m just hoping she got a bit better.”
In the caption, the TV star penned: “Reacting to my #HeartbreakHigh scenes. This opening shot still haunts me.” Fans saw the funny side of the clips as one wrote: “No need to apologise to me mate, god bless Katerina!!!”
“So young. so funny how you’re viewing yourself. A lot of guts to do this scene and you did it. Good for you,” another added. A third said: “Don’t be sorry I absolutely loved you in Heartbreak High especially that scene.”
