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Giovanna Mercuri.

In Giovanna Mercuri’s day job is an accredited mental health social worker, she visits clients in their homes. In her other role, she makes feature films and TV shows which she sees as an extension of her mission.

The singer, dancer, actor and former schoolteacher has produced, written, directed and acted in two features, Locked In and The Target, and is preparing to shoot her third, Fine Line, next year.

In between her own projects she directed Just Ruby, a feature scripted by Damien Leith and Eileen Stapleton.

The drama stars Leith as Irish singer Danny, who meets sisters Betty and Ruby Stone (Bonnie Ferguson and Danielle Rodney) while performing at a local pub in outback Nsw. Romance and drama ensue amid a crippling drought and the resurfacing of an earlier tragedy. Mercuri’s Locked In Productions produced with Leith and Stapleton.

“The story is an uplifting one,...

Bonnie Ferguson in ‘Just Ruby.’

Bonnie Ferguson has wrapped filming her first feature lead role in Giovanna Mercuri’s dramedy Just Ruby and will follow that by starring in Violet Daze, a proof-of-concept for a horror movie.

Earlier this year she had a supporting role in Moon Rock for Monday, a coming-of-age road movie from first-time writer-director Kurt Martin, and she collaborated with filmmaker Alex Proyas on two projects: short film Phobos and a photographic exhibition.

Last year she appeared in the five-part TV series Made for This, which the creators Steven Carnuccio, Domenic Di Mento and Daniel Pike are shopping to broadcasters and streaming services

“It’s been a busy couple of years,” says the 22-year-old, who plans to have a crack at the Us in the middle of next year after signing with Shelter Entertainment’s Andrew Howard.

Scripted by Damien Leith and Eileen Stapleton, Just Ruby stars Leith as Irish singer Danny,...

Squashing recent rumors Down Under, local Network Ten has confirmed that it won’t be bringing back Australian Idol. Once as popular in Australia as the U.S. version, Australian Idol launched the careers of several of the country’s current strong-selling pop artists, such as Guy Sebastian, Shannon Noll, Damien Leith and Jessica Mauboy. And in February, Ten's program chief Beverley McGarvey said in public statements that a reboot of Australian Idol might still be in the cards. Photos: A Day in the Life of 'American Idol' Musical Director Ray Chew But that possibility was ruled out this week by

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Damien Leith and his wife Eileen have christened their baby daughter in a private ceremony in Fiji. The 35-year-old Australian singer, who came third in this year's Dancing with the Stars, welcomed Kikki Bo in March. However, the couple have waited until now to have her christening because their schedules have been so hectic. While on vacation with Eileen, Kikki and sons Jagger and Jarvis, Damien told New Idea magazine: "It's been crazy, crazy, crazy right until three weeks ago. Everyone needed a holiday big time. "I had the easy job really. Two days after Eileen's given birth, I'm off doing dancing lessons! I look back and go, 'That was nuts', but she kept it all together (more)...

Lara Bingle has revealed that Dancing with the Stars has changed her life. The Australian swimwear model, who is currently appearing in the reality television series alongside Wag Haley Bracken, chef Manu Feildel, singer Damien Leith and newsreader Samantha Armytage, said that she has become more "organised" since taking part in the show. Bingle told the Herald Sun: "[I've been on a] massive journey. From the beginning to now, I have changed as a person - 150%. I used to be a late person; I'm not any more. I'm very organised. I never realised how much you could fit in one day! Things like that; just everything's changed." The 24-year-old star has been criticised by the Dancing with the Stars judges (more)...

Nick Bracks has left Dancing with the Stars. The Australian model, who recently revealed that his politician father Steve didn't want him to enter the reality television dance contest, was eliminated by the judges after they expressed disappointment at his quickstep routine. After the verdict, Bracks said: "It's been a huge step out of my comfort zone. I never thought I'd get this far. It's sad to go out on a sour note. But I'm grateful for the experience." Talking about his performance, he said: "I just went blank. I don't know what happened." Singer Damien Leith was awarded full points by all judges for his Argentine tango. Josh Horner told him: "You're amazing," while Helen Richey added: "Mr Dynamite, you are." Earlier in the night, male contestants Bracks, Leith and Manu Feildel went head-to-head (more)...

Mark Occhilupo has left Dancing with the Stars. The Australian surf champion, who was partnered with Jade Brand in the reality television series, was eliminated from the competition after receiving 15 points for his quickstep routine. Occhilupo was in the bottom two with Home and Away star Dan Ewing, but remained calm when the verdict was announced. He said: "I thoroughly enjoyed it. I had such a great time. I met a lot of good friends and my dance partner Jade Brand is such a sweet girl." He also joked that he will "go back to surfing" rather than continuing with his dance practice. Wag Haley Bracken got 28 points after impressing the judges with her rumba. Judge Helen Richey told her: "One of the best rumbas we've ever seen. Terrific job." Singer Damien Leith was also praised for giving judge Josh Horner (more)...

The lineup for this year's Australian version of Dancing With The Stars has been revealed. The male contestants on the reality TV show include world champion surfer Mark Occhilupo, Home and Away star Dan Ewing, My Kitchen Rules judge Manu Feildel, sports star Nathan Bracken, singer Damien Leith and Nick Bracks, model and son of politician Steve Bracks. The famous women taking part include model Lara Bingle, golfer Jan Stephenson, Bracken's wife Haley, newsreader Samantha Armytage and Brynne Edelsten, a socialite who is married to Dr (more)...

Damien Leith has become a father again. The Daily Telegraph reports that the former Australian Idol winner, who is best known for his 2006 number one hit 'Night Of My Life', welcomed daughter Kikki Bo Leith late on Saturday. Leith wrote on his Twitter and Facebook pages: "Hey guys, we have some great news - we have a new member of the Leith family... Eileen gave birth to our beautiful baby girl late this afternoon. Mum and baby are doing well. "Thanks to everyone for all the well wishes - we really appreciate it! All our babies have been born around a new album release!" Leith already has 6-year-old Jarvis Dion and 3-year-old Jagger Ramone with wife Eileen Stapleton. Last year, when the musician (more)...

Tom Jordan wants to make a splash in the U.S.

Exclusive Interview by Michael Aaron Gallagher

The United States may just be the perfect place for Australian singer-songwriter Tom Jordan to make a splash. After all, he’s already made an appearance on the Australian version of the Disney Channel’s “As the Bell Rings,” enjoyed touring gigs across the continent and now it seems he’s ready to expand his fan following here in the U.S.

I recently asked Tom about his upcoming album and what he’s been up to lately. From the Australian music scene to talk of the Jonas Brothers, he shares some of his biggest aspirations for the coming year.

Michael Aaron Gallagher: “For people who haven’t heard of you before, how would you describe your style and who are some of your musical influences?”

Tom Jordan: “My music style comes...

Damien Leith has revealed that his wife Eileen is pregnant with their third child. The former Australian Idol star, who won the reality television show in 2006, already has 5-year-old Jarvis and 3-year-old Jagger with Eileen, and will become a parent again in March next year. Leith told New Idea magazine: "We'd been talking about wanting a bigger family, because we love being parents. Then we went away to Adelaide (more)...

Lara Bingle has taken on a new management team. The Australian model, who is engaged to cricketer Michael Clarke, recently hired Max Markson to manage her career. Markson is believed to have teamed Bingle up with Australian Idol winner Damien Leith after they were seen visiting a recording studio together. When asked if they were making a duet, Markson told The Daily Telegraph: "Stranger (more)...

Australian Idol 2006 winner Damien Leith has claimed that he didn't receive any royalties for his debut album The Winners Journey. The album, a compilation of all of Leith's Idol performances, sold over 300,000 copies in Australia and made $$5 million in profits. However, contracts signed by the cast of the show stipulate that songs recorded during the show belong to 19 Entertainment and Fremantle Media, (more)...