Ada Nicodemou stars as Leah Poulos in Home and Away, a girl with a big heart and an even bigger ability to talk.
Ada was born on 14 May 1977 and grew up in Sydney, New South Wales.
At the age of nine, Ada enrolled at the Johnny Young Talent School and then later with the dance show group, Kids Unlimited. After joining these groups, Ada was spotted by a casting agent and has been with an agent ever since.
Ada's first break in television came at the age of 13. Coincidentally, this was with Home and Away and although she missed out on the role she wanted, which went to Laura Vasquez, she was able to do work as an extra on the show. This gave her invaluable experience and knowledge of the behind-the-scenes workings of a television series.
"As a kid, I remember watching Home and Away and really wanting to join the show. Mum drove me to the auditions, but there were so many other girls there! I did go for a role, but missed out. I was very happy for Laura, but I do remember having to sit behind her in the classroom as an extra and wishing I was in her spot. So now that I am here, I really feel I've come full circle and am back where I belong," Ada says.
At the age of 15 Ada auditioned for a new show called Heartbreak High. It was almost a year later, (when she was just about to turn 16), that she was called in for a 12-week guest stint in the show. This short stint turned into a three-year role where she played a character called Katarina.
At the same time, Ada was also appearing in Police Rescue, a role she had agreed to accept before being offered the role in Heartbreak High.
When taking up the role in Heartbreak High Ada had promised herself that she would complete her school studies. In Year 12 (her last year of High School) Ada studied by correspondence for her final exams – as well as having to study her scripts for her roles in Heartbreak High and Police Rescue.
Ada decided to defer her university studies for a year while she completed filming for Heartbreak High.
A year later, Ada studied Tourism at TAFE College, where she learnt to organize events for clients: this lead to a job in a public relations firm as an events co-ordinator.
At the age of 21, Ada returned to television work and took up the role of Fiona in Breakers. During that year she also appeared in a cameo role in the film Matrix starring Keanu Reaves.
After a role as a water nymph in the American television show Beast Masters, Ada joined Home and Away – and she has been with the series ever since.
"I was basically making up for lost time; I had wanted to be part of this production for a long time and I love being with the show", she says.
Ada likes her character Leah: "I think she is very sweet and funny. She comes from a very strict Greek family and has a great set of morals. I really enjoy playing Leah because I can understand her thought processes", she says.
Ada lives at home with her mother and younger brother. To relax, Ada loves going to the movies and spending time with friends. She goes dancing, and keeps fit by bike-riding and enjoying the great outdoors – and does a lot of walking.
One thing she doesn't share in common with her character Leah, is Leah's skill as a cook! "Mum has always done the cooking and she is brilliant - so I have always left it up to her", Ada says, "but hopefully I may pick up a couple of tips from Leah."
And just to prove how popular an actress Ada is, she was nominated for both a Gold Logie and a Silver Logie in the TV WEEK LOGIE AWARDS in 2000 and 2001 – a sure sign of her success! And of course, her other talents include taking out the trophy with dance partner Aric Yegudkin for Dancing With the Stars.
Ada was born under the Zodiac sign of Taurus, the Bull.
