Elena Louise Bennett (born May 13, 1976), known professionally as Angelena Bonet, is an Australian model, actress, documentary filmmaker, and singer-songwriter.
Early life Bonet was born on May 13, 1976 in Sydney, Australia and is the youngest of five children to James Patrick Bennett and Geraldine Louise Bennett, a physiotherapist specializing in children with neurodevelopmental disabilities. She adopted the confirmation name "Angela".
Bonet attended Denistone East Primary School, Marist Sisters' College, Woolwich, then St. Patrick's College, Dundas.
Career
Modeling Bonet was discovered at a hair salon in Sydney at the age of 18. She debuted as Elli Bennet as a model for Vogue Australia magazine. Bonet modelled in major cities internationally and at home in Australia, where she was dubbed as an "Australian Supermodel" on Network Ten. She has been featured on the cover of Inside Sport magazine, FHM magazine, and served as a covergirl for the 'Sportsmodel of the Year' issue.
Film and television Bonet starred in several film and television productions, including the JAG, Ghostly Encounters, My Husband My Killer, and Breakers, and also played the lead role in Canadian rock band Silverstein's film clip "American Dream". She was the featured host for NBC's AOF International Film Festival series and hosted the 'FIFA World Cup Show' in Canada (2010). She has also served as a judge in the Miss USA and Miss Teen USA Pageants in Vermont (2010), and has been the opener for the talk show The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Bonet has been featured on Australia's Network Seven Broadcast of The 6th Annual Foxtel AACTA Awards held at The Star, Sydney, Australia.
Music During her modelling career, Bonet began venturing into music and collaborated with her then-partner, Erick Deeby. Deeby became mentor to Bonet, and helped develop her sound whilst living in Kings Cross, Sydney. Following the death of Deeby, she moved to be with her family in Orange, NSW and composed the lyrics and melody to the instrumental pieces of music Deeby had written and recorded at his music studio for her. The song featured in her debut documentary film Angelena: Change The World and won 'Best Original Song' at the Indie Fest Film Awards (2017). She later independently released her EP "Tragic Fairytale" and "Angelena: Change The World" (Original Soundtrack Album) under her own Record and Publishing label Crystal Heart Records.
Personal life Bonet was briefly engaged to her musician/producer partner of five years, Erick Deeby, who died on August 27, 2007. She describes this experience as "soul shattering, but writing the music was cathartic and had a deep healing effect on her heart". She temporarily moved to Orange, NSW, to be with family and grieve.
She later settled in Toronto, Canada in 2010, and is now based in Sydney and Toronto.
Despite her Catholic upbringing, Bonet is a daily yoga and meditation practitioner and cites her beliefs to be more spiritual in nature.
Charitable efforts Bonet is an official volunteer blogger for Oxfam Australia and a member of the RAINN Org Speakers Bureau. She has also campaigned for women's rights, particularly through V-Day One Billion and United State of Women. She has served as an ambassador for World Mental Health Day and was a speaker for the RUOK? Day (Suicide Prevention Initiative for teens) in 2013. She has an online journalistic program that interviews women and girls worldwide in an effort to share their stories. In early 2017, Angelena established a non-profit organisation, Crystal Heart Foundation aimed at supporting women and girl survivors of sexual violence and those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, whilst raising public awareness and aiding other charities globally.
Filmography
Film
Year Title Role Notes 1998 Kiss the Sky Fantasy Girl No. 1 2001 My Husband My Killer Elkin's Girlfriend No. 3 2017 Angelena: Change The World Herself Credited as: Writer, Composer, Producer & director.
Television Year Title Role Notes 1997–1999 Breakers Robyn 10 episodes 1998 JAG Patron Episode: "Gypsy Eyes" 2010 Ghostly Encounters Christina Parker Episode: "Ghosts and the Vulnerable" 2014 Heart of the Matter Herself (Composer, Producer & Director) TV documentary
Awards and nominations YearAwardCategoryWorkResult1997Miss BondiBeauty ContestModeling1998Miss East Coast of AustraliaBeauty ContestModeling2017Impact DOCS Awards Award of RecognitionDocumentary Feature2017Accolade Global Film Competition Award of RecognitionDocumentary Feature2017IndieFEST Film Awards Award of Recognition: Liberation / Social Justice / ProtestDocumentary Feature2017IndieFEST Film Awards Award of RecognitionOriginal Song: "Tragic Fairytale" composed by Angelena Bonet & Erick Deeby2018World Music & Independent Film Festival Award of RecognitionDocumentary Feature2018World Music & Independent Film Festival Award of RecognitionBest Director2018World Music & Independent Film Festival Award of RecognitionBest Female Filmmaker
References
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