Ada Nicodemou

Ada Nicodemou(Greek: Άντα Νικοδήμου) (born 14 May 1977)is an Australian actress ofGreek Cypriotdescent. She began her acting career in 1994 in TV serialHeartbreak Highas Katerina Ioannou. She also starred inPolice RescueandBreakers.
Since 2000, Nicodemou has played the role ofLeah Pattersonin the soap operaHome and Away. She has the distinction ofbeing the third longest actor in an Australian TV soap opera, coincidently behind fellowHome and Awaycast membersRay MeagherandLynne McGranger. In 2012, she hosted reality seriesPlease Marry My Boy.
Nicodemou was born on 14 May 1977 inCarlton, a suburb of Sydney.Nicodemou's parents were both migrants, who met in Australia.Her Greek Cypriot family comes fromLimassol.Nicodemou grew up inMintoalong with her younger brother.Nicodemou attended The Grange Public School, and theJohnny Young Talent School, where she learned to sing, dance and act.
Nicodemou began her acting career in 1994 when she was cast as Katerina Ioannou inABC1'sHeartbreak High.Nicodemou was 16 when she successfully auditioned for the role. She was originally contracted to play the part for 12 weeks, but this was later extended.
In 1995, she joined the supporting cast ofPolice Rescueas receptionist Anastasia "Ana" Skouras.Nicodemou also had a starring role onNetwork Ten'sBreakers.In 1999, she played Dujour in the science fiction filmThe Matrix, and during the following year, she appeared in an episode of children's seriesBeastMaster.
Nicodemou has played the role ofLeah Pattersonin the television soap operaHome and Awaysince 22 March 2000.Nicodemou originally auditioned for the role ofSarah Thompsonin 1992, but Laura Vasquez was cast.She was later approached by the show's producers about the role of Leah. She was not asked to audition and was offered a six-month contract, which was soon extended.As of 2019, Nicodemou is one of the show's longest serving actors.
In 2005, Nicodemou competed on and won the 3rd season ofDancing with the Starswith partnerAric Yegudkin.From 2012, Nicodemou hostedChannel Seven's reality seriesPlease Marry My Boy.She made a guest appearance in an episode ofDrop Dead Weirdin 2018.
In February 2021, it was announced Nicodemou would compete on Seven'sDancing with the Stars: All Starswith her original partner Yegudkin.In August 2022, Nicodemou made a guest appearance onHome and Awaypodcast,Welcome To The Bay.
Nicodemou is also the author of two children's books; her first book titledJohnas The International Soccer Star, was released June 2018.The picture book is about her son dreaming of becoming a soccer legend.Her second bookMia Megastarwill be released in April 2024.The book is loosely based on Nicodemou's life and how she became an actress.
Nicodemou married Chrys Xipolitas in 2007.They separated in 2010, but reconciled the following month.On 22 August 2012, Nicodemou gave birth to the couple's first child, a son.In March 2014, it was announced that the couple were expecting their second child. On 7 August, Nicodemou revealed that their second son had beenstillborn.
Nicodemou and Xipolitas separated in late 2015.Nicodemou was in a relationship with businessman Adam Rigby from 2016 until 2023.In July 2024, Nicodemou confirmed viaStellarmagazine that she was in a relationship with herHome and Awayco-starJames Stewart.
Since 2005, Nicodemou has been an ambassador of the PixiFoto Foundation that raises funds for a Childhood Blindness Prevention program in Africa. She is also an ambassador for Save our Sons, a charity supportingDuchenne muscular dystrophyand theNational Breast Cancer Foundation.She is also a supporter of theStarlight Children's Foundationand Make-A-Wish Foundation Australia.