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At a ceremony in West Hollywood, Australians in Film announced on Wednesday that Sydney actor Andrea Solonge is the 12th winner of the coveted Heath Ledger Scholarship.
"It's still a really big shock," Solonge told ABC News.
"But I couldn't be more pleased. It's a dream come true."
Solonge, 28, will receive a prize package valued at $US60,000 ($90,0000), as well as a year-long precentorship by former recipient Bella Heathcote (Pieces of Her, Relic).
Solonge was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo and came to Australia when she was a baby. Her mother is Congolese and her father is Nigerian.
"My mum was a lawyer back in the Congo," Solonge said.
"And her first language is French, so she did her studies in French. And when my mother and father got married at the time they immigrated, because we lived in the Congo, [there was a] civil war there, so they could give me a better life here.
"They since split and Mum had to give up her home, her law degree, her family to move here to give me a better life."
Solonge says her mother has been working full-time, taking care of her and believing in her.
"So, a lot of this entire career, even though I love acting and it's my passion, is dedicated to making sure that she feels proud," she said.
The 12th Heath Ledger Scholarship Prize includes:
- $US10,000 towards a living allowance, rent and transport assistance in Los Angeles.
- One-year mentorship from 2010 recipient Bella Heathcoate. Bella will be on hand for quarterly meetings to help guide the winner as they settle into life in LA.
- Tax information and US Tax return from CST.
- Private coaching and classes from Lisa Robertson Studio.
- Private coaching, classes, and special workshops taught by Jean-Louis Rodrigue and Kristof Konrad of Alexander Techworks.
- Private speech and dialects coaching from Joy Ellison.
- Head-shot and publicity look from Sally Flegg Photography (Sydney).
- Hair and Makeup Looks by Sophia Lee (with Sally Flegg Photography).
- Physical approach to Acting Voice De-structuring (Authentic Voice) from Kennedy Brown.
- Immigration Services from Raynor and Associates.
- Virtual Line Rehearsal Service with Professional Actors from Audition Genie.
- Actor Headshot and On-Location Portrait Session in Los Angeles from Greg Doherty Photography.
- Self-tape sessions from Stella Tape Studio.
- Lifetime membership to Australians in Film, including access to the workspace "Charlie's" at the AiF offices on The Lot in West Hollywood.
Solonge wants to give back
Solonge enjoyed sinking her teeth into the "juicy" role she played on Prosper. (Supplied: Lisa Tomasetti/Stan)
Solonge starred in the Stan series Prosper alongside Richard Roxborough and Rebecca Gibney.
"I think it was just one of those juicy roles that I've been dying to play and that I finally got the opportunity to kind of sink my teeth in," she said.
She was also in Taika Waititi's Apple TV+ series Time Bandits, and wants to do more of what she's being doing but on an international scale.
"It's been my dream for as long as I can remember to be working in the American film and TV industry," Solonge said.
"So, with the scholarship, I hope to attain a US agent and hopefully start writing projects, meeting producers and telling more of the stories I want to be in service to."
She also wants to do more locally.
"I love Australian TV, Australian film, Australian theatre," she said.
"That's one of the first things that I was exposed to being in Australia.
"And I have such a deep love for that.
"And I would love to once I've gone to the States and experienced this and had a taste of that, to come back to Australia and use any acquired networks or knowledge to come back and tell stories that reflect my experience as an African Australian, and also be in service to any narratives or even give back and do courses because the people in Australia have been so helpful to me in teaching me what I need to know, and what I need to do to be an artist in general."
A record number of entries
Established in 2012 in memory of award-winning actor Ledger, the scholarship is regarded globally as the hottest barometer for the best acting talent coming out of Australia.
Solange revisited Ledger's work when she began acting as a teenager. (Supplied: Teniola Komolafe)
Ledger, who died in 2008 at just 28 years of age, was known for his generosity and support of fellow actors and the scholarship carries on his legacy by offering a life-changing education and career development program to winners.
Solonge says Ledger was truly a creative artist in every sense of the word.
"I remember I used to watch his movies [when I was] a lot younger as a kid," Solonge said.
"And then I revisited them when I first started acting as a 16- to 17-year-old.
"And for me, that was a really lonely time of [being] quite a bit of an outcast, but there was something about him.
"You can watch an amazing actor and think, 'Oh, my gosh, I wanna do that.'
"But there was always something different about Heath. There was just something so tangible."
One of the judges, and multi-award-winning international film, television and theatre actor Sarah Snook (Succession, The Picture of Dorian Gray), said while there was tough competition for the scholarship, Solonge stood out.
"I loved getting to watch fresh faces showcase their talents and passion for acting," Snook said.
"It was a tough decision, as all the finalists were brilliant, but one stood out with a captivating depth and strength.
"I'm very excited for Andrea Solonge to be this year's 2024 Heath Ledger Scholarship recipient."