Paul OBrien - Biography
Actor, Home and Away
Paul O’Brien may be used to laying down the law on Home and Away, but now it’s time for the 29-year-old to receive a different type of judgement.
“Everyone wants to sing deep down. As a kid I dreamed of being in a band and listening to the screams. I’m looking forward to working with such talented people, learning from my mistakes and experiencing the adrenaline of performing live." said Paul.
Born in South Africa, Paul led a nomadic existence as a child, living across Australia, South Africa and Mauritius before settling on Queensland’s Gold Coast at the age of seven.
At 21, he moved to Melbourne to pursue an acting career, dabbling in the stand-up comedy circuit while looking for work. He subsequently starred in several short films, stage productions and the independent Melbourne feature Parallels.
Paul was rehearsing for a one-man show when he landed his big break in 2005 - the role of Constable Jack Holden on Home and Away.
Conscious of the influence his work on Home and Away has on children and teenagers, Paul has produced a video, Beach Rules which emphasises sun and surf safety and great tips for body board riding. He has recently returned from spending three weeks in the UK during the Christmas break performing the lead role in the pantomime Aladdin.
A former chef, Paul can be found experimenting in the kitchen, specialising in seafood and Italian dishes. A singer/guitarist, Paul can salsa dance and loves surfing, body boarding, golf, skiing and water skiing.
Jade MacRae - Biography
Watch Jade MacRae's music video 'In the Basement'
Pop Princess
Born of professional New Zealand born musicians living in the UK, Jade has been surrounded by music, stars, studios and stages all her life.
Her parents, pianist David and vocalist Joy played with all the big names of the time: Elton John, Van Morrison, Neil Sedaka, Roy Orbison, Cliff Richard, Cat Stevens, Tina Turner, Ronnie Scott...the list is long and remarkable.
Jade began learning piano at age three, then violin at eight. It was only natural then that Jade would gravitate to the Sydney Conservatorium of Music to do her HSC. Like any struggling student Jade paid her way through school by working nights and weekends, although not packing shelves or waiting tables. Instead she sang with whoever needed a vocalist, from gigs with Renee Geyer and Disco Montego, to tours with Jimmy Barnes.
It was while singing with Jimmy Barnes that bass player – and managing director of Workstation records – Michael Hegerty noticed Jade’s incredible talent. Together they worked on her self titled debut album. Notable for a debut artist, Jade wrote most of the tracks on the album and co-wrote the remainder, proving herself not only an accomplished performer but a gifted songwriter as well. The stunning tracks lead to major label interest, with Roadshow Music confirming the deal in mid 2004.
Jade's first album cemented her as a star on the rise in the Australian music scene, producing three top 40 singles and winning the 2006 and 2007 Urban Music Awards for Best Female Artist. Jade’s debut album was also nominated for ARIA, MTV & APRA awards in 2005/2006.
Along the way Jade performed the National Anthem at Australia’s World Cup qualifying victory against Uruguay in front of 80,000 fans at Sydney’s Telstra Stadium, and over 35 million viewers world-wide. She has also performed on Centre Court for the Australian Open Women’s Tennis Final before a worldwide TV audience.
A prolific song-writer, Jade currently splits her time between writing songs in Australia and overseas for major artists from around the world including the UK, France, Germany and Asia, and working towards the highly anticipated completion of her new pop album tentatively titled Get Me Home.
Late last year Jade also released a hot new music video In The Basement that featured a much-publicised passionate kiss with her It Takes Two TV partner Bobby Morley.
