Staying Home: ARIA award winner Anthony Callea shares his isolation survival tips

Staying Home is a series of interviews with well-known Australians to learn how they are dealing with isolation and social distancing.

ARIA award winner Anthony Callea should be on the road touring right now, but instead he’s at home with more than enough time on his hands to rethink the bigger picture.

And while he’s trying to see the silver lining that comes with a global pandemic halting the entertainment industry, Callea is the first to admit that being in isolation has stirred all the emotions.

“I’m trying to remain calm,” says Callea, who lives in Melbourne with his husband, entertainer Tim Campbell.

“As much as Tim and I are trying to fill our days with positivity, laughter and staying motivated, it has been hard at times.

“Like all of us, I feel we have good days and bad days. The sense of uncertainty, anxiety and lack of interaction with our family and friends is becoming harder as the weeks go on.”

Concerts, charity gigs and MCG performances might be shelved, but Callea is using social media to spread some good cheer. From lip-syncing to a Vanessa Amorosi song in a red wig to raising a toast with an espresso martini, his spontaneous sense of humour is keeping fans entertained.

“I have been jotting down lots of ideas musically and trying to plan and put things in place for when life becomes a little ‘normal’ again,” he says.

“Isolation has sent Tim and I a little crazy at home, but we are having a bit of fun with social media by filling our Instagram and Facebook pages with silly at-home content.”

For now there’s a new single Lonely, with more releases to come.

“The essence of Lonely is raw, vulnerable and brutal and paints the picture of self-struggle, realisation and shame,” says Callea of its timely release. “I immersed myself in the feelings and truth that both I and close friends around me have gone through – the feelings that many of us do not share but are real and what we must face.”

Favourite room 

My balcony. Especially in this isolation time, you don’t want to feel as though you’re cooped up inside. Being Melbourne, I sit out there in literally my ski gear. I’m out there in the afternoons with a drink in hand, earphones in and FaceTime with friends and family.

Latest DIY project 

I’m not into DIY projects. I come from a family of builders, so I’ve always been lucky to call my dad or brother to organise and do what needs to be done. I also do not have a green thumb in my body, which is ironic because as a child I wanted to be a landscape gardener. I have two big pots that are empty at the moment that need a plant each, so I suppose I could get around to doing that?

Where do you relax at home 

Sitting in front of the fire with shoes off, remote control in hand, a bowl of popcorn and a block of chocolate. It’s either TV or playing music through the Sonos. Right now, I’m into watching episodes of Schitt’s Creek. I’m obsessed. I love Moira and I want David’s wardrobe. When it comes to music, I’m old school – it’s ’90s RnB (in particular Billy Ocean and Peabo Bryson). My second favourite place to go relax is the toilet. Enough said.

What are you reading? 

Don’t shoot me, but I’m not much of a reader. The last book I read was Looking For Alibrandi in year 10. Let’s just say that I am more of a visual person. We have recently moved into a new home, so I am very good at reading manuals. I just haven’t got to the oven manuals as yet. I’m deliberately putting them in the “to do” pile so I don’t have to cook.

What are you baking?

Nothing that you need an oven for! I can warm up a mean pre-made soup on the stove and can cook amazing Italian peas. I know right, I’m such a catch. I keep saying to myself that I need to cook or learn how to cook, but then I just look at the kitchen and think it’s hard work and takes a lot of time. I’m all about looking after the small businesses in my area that see me every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner takeaway.

What are you planning? 

With work at a standstill, that’s all my gigs and tours cancelled or postponed, it has been a little hard to stay motivated. Having said that, I know I am luckier than a lot of people and families right now. Music is in my DNA and the one thing I rely on, especially in times like this.

Hopefully I can be back on stage doing what I absolutely love soon. In the meantime, just coming up with isolation videos and content for my socials. My mum calls me every day and either tells me off or laughs at what I post on Instagram or Facebook.

Latest home purchase
Apart from stocking up the “isolation” alcohol cabinet, we bought a new modem and Wi-Fi extenders. Sounds exciting? Not.

Fave time of day in iso 

Taking my dog out for a poo. It’s seriously the highlight of my day. Who would’ve thought? I have also been trying to exercise – more like a light jog/walk. I’m not one to jump at the thought of exercising and I usually do classes where an instructor is telling me what to do. I open the fridge door about 53 times a day and consume my body weight in carbs, so I sort of have to get out there and work up a sweat.

Iso survival tip
Don’t think of it as “isolation”, rather a time to recalibrate our lives, reconnect with oneself, and really make an effort to reach out to friends and family online and just chat. Get creative, stay patient and if you have another half, try not to kill them in the process.

Latest app download 
I downloaded Houseparty and Zoom, but do you think I know how to use them? I’m so bad at technology. This is the time when you need kids in the house so you can throw them your phone and say, “Show me how to use this and what do I need to do?” I think I’m just going to stick to my old-school ways and use FaceTime.