Angelena Bonet

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.

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. 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.

Awards and nominations