Singer Casey Donovan has recounted her six-year catfishing ordeal on Channel 7′s Interview, prompting viewers to praise the Australian Idol winner’s bravery to overcome severe emotional and psychological manipulation.
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Speaking to host Andrew Denton, Donovan sketched the earliest details of her relationship with ‘Campbell‘, a man who called her personal phone number after the then-16-year-old won Australia’s largest singing competition.
From there, she explained how “it became comfortable to talk to this person every day, and of course, I was making calls left, right, and centre.”
She said she was “glued” to the phone in those early months, despite never having met the man. Donovan explained that her relationship was bolstered by her friendship with a woman named Olga, who acted as an intermediary between herself and Campbell.
“The friendship was two chicks hanging out and going to the shops, and you know, hanging about,” Donovan said.
She explained “I had to keep her close, because if I didn’t have that, I didn’t have him, because when he wouldn’t answer his phone or his phone was turned off, she was there.”
Donovan outlined how the months without actually meeting Campbell turned to years – and how ‘he’ convinced her to have her first sexual experience with Olga.
When the ‘relationship’ began to unravel, Donovan said she began self-harming and considered taking her own life.
“I hid a massive lie for so long that it near killed me,” Donovan said.
“It got to that point where I was like ‘what the fuck have I done to my life’,” she added.
Donovan eventually channelled her experiences into a memoir and shared some of the emotional impact during her sting on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!, but her Interview appearance presented her story to a new audience.
During the broadcast, viewers turned to social media to comment on Donovan’s personal strength to overcome what must have been an emotionally devastating experience.
Just finished watching #InterviewAU with @CaseyDonovan such a wonderful interview. I laughed, I cried, but most of all I’m left feeling inspired. Thank @InterviewAU
— MizzM (@MizmLH) April 30, 2019
Loved this ep with @CaseyDonovan. She was very brave to speak about the past relationship. #interviewau
— Sharlene Kuruppuarachchi (@SharleneMelb) April 30, 2019
@InterviewAU wow @CaseyDonovan you are one of the most resilient and considered persons in the world. Absolutely love your incredible mindset to rise up and handle life’s adversities 🙏
— Lamdog 🙏 🙂 🚀 (@andylamrock) April 30, 2019
Undoubtedly the best TV I’ve watched in a long time. Thank you @CaseyDonovan and @InterviewAU pic.twitter.com/sUuLyckqIh
— Prof Anita Heiss AM (@AnitaHeiss) April 30, 2019
It’s pretty compelling viewing, and seeing how one of the 21st century’s most nefarious forms of psychological blackmail can play out is confronting. You can peep the full episode HERE.
If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide or suffering from mental health issues, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14, or the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467. If you are in immediate danger, call 000.
