Imogen Bailey

Imogen Bailey
Born	(1977-07-07) July 7, 1977 Canberra, Australia
Occupation(s)	Model, actress, vocalist
Years active	Late 1990s–present
Known for	Modelling for Ralph, FHM Australia, Black+White; reality TV appearances; role as Nicola West on Neighbours; vocals on "If U Want Me"

Imogen Bailey (born 7 July 1977, Canberra) is an Australian model, actress, and vocalist. She has graced the covers of men's publications such as Ralph, FHM Australia, and Black+White. On television, Bailey has taken part in reality programs like Celebrity Big Brother (2002), Skating on Thin Ice (2005), and Celebrity Survivor (2006), which was filmed in Vanuatu. In 2008, she portrayed the character Nicola West on the Australian soap opera Neighbours for a six-month tenure. As a singer, her voice featured on the 2003 track "If U Want Me" by UK dance producer Michael Woods, which reached No. 46 on the UK Singles Chart, topped at No. 1 on the UK dance chart, peaked at No. 62 on the ARIA Singles Chart, and climbed to No. 5 on its Dance Charts. In August 2012, Bailey appeared in the second installment of SBS's documentary series Go Back to Where You Came From. She actively promotes animal rights through campaigns with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and advocates for asylum seekers in Australia. Bailey splits her residence between Sydney and Los Angeles.

Early years

Imogen Bailey was born on 7 July 1977 in Canberra. During her primary school years, she lived near Pambula, initially residing on a farm before moving to a milk bar. At age nine, one of her poems was published in a local newspaper close to Merimbula. For her secondary education, she attended Melrose High School located in Pearce, followed by studies at Phillip College. Subsequently, she pursued marketing studies at a TAFE institute.

Modelling

Bailey launched her modelling career in the late 1990s, beginning with appearances in fashion advertisements and self-produced calendars starting in 2000, including "Imogen Odessey 2000". As a sports model, she was featured in Inside Sport magazine's January 2001 issue. She posed in bikinis and nude spreads for men's magazines such as Ralph, FHM Australia, and Black+White. Bailey has commented on the industry's inclination to pigeonhole models, explaining that although she adopted various personas during photoshoots, transitioning into singing or acting proved difficult due to being primarily identified as "sexy."

Television

In August 2001, Bailey took on the role of Carmen Jefferson for a single episode of the soap opera Home and Away. She competed in multiple reality TV shows including Celebrity Big Brother Australia (2002), Skating on Thin Ice (2005), and Celebrity Survivor (2006), which was filmed in Vanuatu. In 2020, she was honored with induction into the Australian Survivor Hall of Fame.

Beginning in January 2008, Bailey portrayed Nicola West on the soap opera Neighbours for six months. After undergoing eight months of acting training, she gained popularity particularly among younger female viewers. Her character was central to provocative storylines, including an incestuous relationship involving an adoptive nephew.

In August 2012, Bailey participated in the second season of SBS's documentary series Go Back to Where You Came From. Following this experience, she established the website Lessons Overboard aimed at supporting asylum seekers.

Music

In 2003, Bailey lent her vocals to the track "If U Want Me" by British dance producer Michael Woods. The single reached number 46 on the UK Singles Chart and topped the UK dance chart at number 1. It also attained a peak position of 62 on the ARIA Singles Chart, climbed to number 5 on the ARIA Dance Charts, and secured the second spot on the Hitseekers Chart.

That same year, she featured on Supafly's rendition of Prince's "Erotic City". Following the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Bailey contributed the song "Force of Nature" to the charitable compilation Hurricane Healing.US: Music That Heals, Vol. 1.

The Hot Potato

In 2013, Bailey collaborated with actor John Jarratt and Hunters & Collectors lead singer Mark Seymour to launch the Hot Potato Campaign. This project aimed to transform public perceptions about asylum seekers by visiting ten rural communities over ten days. The campaign engaged locals by offering complimentary hot potato meals, fostering dialogue to dispel common misconceptions regarding asylum seekers in Australia.

Animal rights

As a committed advocate for animal welfare, Bailey has participated in several campaigns organized by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). In February 2007, she took part in a demonstration against battery farming of chickens by voluntarily sitting inside a confined cage to draw attention to cruel conditions. She stressed that Australia should set an example in animal protection and highlighted that humane alternatives are available. Animal Liberation auctioned off the chance to share this experience with Bailey and Lindsay McDougall, guitarist for punk band Frenzal Rhomb, to raise awareness.

Personal life

At age 16, Bailey moved from her family residence in Canberra to Sydney and began an eight-year relationship with Ahmed, a Lebanese-Australian Muslim. During this period, she often wore a hijab and occasionally donned a burqa when visiting his family. She managed her modeling career alongside practicing Islam, including observing fasting during Ramadan. Their partnership ended before 2001 as Bailey chose to focus on her modeling ambitions rather than marriage or starting a family.

In September 2008, Bailey revealed in the UK publication NOW that she had battled anorexia nervosa, with her weight dropping below 40 kg between 2000 and 2001 due to emotional distress from a breakup and peer pressure. Intervention from loved ones encouraged her to seek professional help.

Film

Year	Title	Role	Notes
2005	Man-Thing	Sarah
2005	Feed	Veronica
2007	Azur & Asmar: The Princes' Quest	Princess Chamsous Sabah (voice)	English dub
2009	The 7th Hunt	Ariel Clarke
2011	Chinese Takeout	Hazel Crow	Short film
2014	Housemates	Ellie	Short film
2015	McCracken	Dr Fox	Short film
2016	Strange Date	Judy	Short film
2021	The Hunt	-

Television

Year	Title	Role	Notes
2000	Popstars	Contestant/Self	Appeared in 1 episode
2001	Life Support	Guest at Dinner Party	Featured in 1 episode
2001	Home and Away	Carmen Jefferson	Single episode appearance
2002	Celebrity Big Brother	Contestant/Self	Participated in 24 episodes
2002	High Octane 3	Presenter
2005	Skating on Thin Ice	Contestant/Self
2006	Celebrity Survivor	Contestant/Self	Took part in 12 episodes
2008	Neighbours	Nicola West	Appeared across 99 episodes
2009	Life of Riley	Ella	Featured in 1 episode
2013	The Hot Potato: The Road to Transformation	Self