Gemma Pranita

Gemma Pranita (born 18 December 1985) is a Thai-born Australian actress. Pranita was encouraged to join the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) by her drama teacher, and from 1999 to 2003, she competed at state level in the Shakespeare Globe Association's annual Shakespeare festival. Pranita formed a theatre company called Cry Havoc! with her best friend in 2006. After graduating from WAAPA, Pranita joined the Bell Shakespeare theatre company. She has also had roles in the films, Crush and Resistance. From 2010 until 2012, Pranita played Jade Mitchell in the Australian soap opera Neighbours. She briefly reprised the role in March 2019. After leaving Neighbours, Pranita appeared in The Ever After and launched a blog showcasing her career as a photographer. She also co-hosts the We Don't Have Time For This podcast.

Early life Pranita was born Gemma Pranita Xumsai in 1985 in Bangkok, Thailand, the daughter of a Thai father and an English mother. When she was twelve years old, Pranita and her family moved to Australia. Pranita took an interest in drama, art and music at her Sydney high school and she became friends with Kate Reeves. Pranita's drama teacher encouraged her to apply to the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA). The film shot on location in Perth and Pranita played the role of the Nurse.

In September 2010, a Herald Sun reporter announced Pranita would be joining the cast of Neighbours as Jade Mitchell, the younger sister of Sonya (played by Eve Morey). Pranita was in Russia researching Anton Chekhov when her agent called her to audition for Neighbours. The actress returned to Australia and her agent informed her that she could audition on the last day. Pranita won the role and she moved to Melbourne for filming within the week. Pranita stated that two years was long enough to play one character and she wanted to challenge herself to do other things. Pranita filmed her final scenes on 9 August.

Following her departure from Neighbours, Pranita appeared in the short film Banter as Emma. She then appeared alongside fellow Australian actresses Teresa Palmer and Phoebe Tonkin in The Ever After directed by Mark Webber. Prainta reprised her Neighbours role for a brief guest stint in March 2019.

Blog, photography and podcast Pranita started a fashion and photography blog called Gemma Peanut Gallery in 2013. Pranita features posts of herself and friends, including some of Australia's starlets, from Margot Robbie to Rachael Taylor, Renee Bargh, Teresa Palmer, Phoebe Tonkin and Delta Goodrem. In 2023, Pranita and Reeves embarked on a tour with their live show titled "Can We Not Evolve?"

Pranita is married to Matthew Rooney. The two were childhood friends, who became engaged after 18 months together. In October 2017, Pranita announced that she was expecting the couple's first child. She gave birth to their daughter on 18 April 2018. Pranita gave birth to their second child, a son, in 2020.

Filmography Year Title Role Notes 2007 Hi My Name is Billy Short film 2009 Crush Nurse 2010 Resistance Valentina Vega Pilot episode 2010–12, 2019 Neighbours Jade Mitchell 243 episodes 2012 Banter Emma Short film 2014 Checked Out Melinda TV film 2014 The Ever After Naja