Carmella Cammeniti

Infobox soap character
name = Carmella Cammeniti
series = Neighbours
portrayer = Natalie Blair
first = November 26, 2003
Episode 4378
last = December 2008
cause =
creator =



caption1 = Natalie Blair as Carmella Cammeniti
nickname = Carm
alias =
gender = Female
born = 1984
death =
age = 24
occupation = Entrepreneur
title =
residence = 24 Ramsay Street
parents = Rocco Cammeniti (father)
Lucia Cammeniti (mother)
siblings = Rosetta Cammeniti (sister)
Rosaria Cammeniti (sister)
spouse = Marco Silvani
(2008, deceased)
romances = Connor O'Neill (2003, 2004)
Ned Parker (2006)
Will Griggs (2006–2007)
Oliver Barnes (2007, 2008)
Ringo Brown (2007)
children = Chloe Cammeniti (daughter)
grandchildren =
grandparents =
aunts/uncles = Raimondo Cammeniti (uncle)
Maria (aunt, deceased)
nieces/nephews = Marco Yeats (nephew)
cousins = Teresa Cammeniti
Vinny
Sienna Cammeniti
relatives = Frazer Yeats (brother-in-law)
color = Television colour|Neighbours
color text =
species =

Carmella Cammeniti (briefly Sister Mary Catherine) is a fictional character on the Network Ten soap opera "Neighbours", and has been portrayed by Natalie Blair since the character's first onscreen appearance on November 26 2003. [ [http://www.neighbours.com/characters/carmellacammeniti/ neighbours.com : Carmella Cammeniti] ]

After several guest stints in 2003 and 2004, actress Natalie agreed to return on a permanent basis due to her character's popularity.

Development

The character of Carmella has been through many character changes over her duration on the soap opera. Actress Natalie Blair stated in her reason behind her decision to quit was because of her character's transformation and storylines stating:

Natalie also described the development from "fun, feisty and foxy sort of character" into a luckless character. [http://www.smh.com.au/news/tv--radio/blair-taps-into-her-talents/2008/06/08/1212863446193.html]

torylines

During the character's early days on Ramsay Street she had to fend Michelle Scully (Kate Keltie) off for Connor's affections, but when she became victim of a stalker Carmella then left in a hurry with "Eva Doyle" (Lulu McClatchy), wrestling girlfriend of Toadie Rebecchi (Ryan Moloney). Upon on her return she wanted Connor back, but Serena Bishop (Lara Sacher) stood in her way, and she lost out, receiving a slap from Serena's mother, Liljana (Marcella Russo).

Life as a nun

Carmella's mother Lucia set PI Connor on a secret mission to find Carmella the following year, and when she turned up it was in a convent. At that point going by the name 'Sister Mary Catherine', the former party girl had become a nun.

In 2006, Cameron Robinson (Adam Hunter) confronted Carmella about a conversation he remembered her having on the phone while he was in hospital in a coma. Carmella confided her darkest secret to Cameron - that she sold her cousin Teresa Cammeniti's (Hannah Greenwood) baby. Cameron agreed to keep the secret and in fact took the secret to his grave when Max Hoyland (Stephen Lovatt) hit him with his car. Carmella later revealed the truth about the baby to another nun, who suggested she take time off from the convent.

During her time as a nun she grew close to Ned and after he heard her sing he encouraged her to make a recording. She did it to make him happy but admitted that she wasn't really keen on singing. When Ned started to become nosy about Carmella's business, she told him they were spending too much time together and wanted time out. He then grew close to Katya Kinski (Dichen Lachman) but when Carmella found out she and Katya began to fight over Ned.

Family arrival

Her sister Rosetta (Natalie Saleeba) moved into No. 30 Ramsay Street in October 2006. [http://www.perfectblend.net/neighbourhood/bio/cammeniti-rosetta.htm]

When Sky Mangel (Stephanie McIntosh) fell into early labour, crazed Teresa lashed out at her, telling Sky she would be a horrible mother. When admitted into the psychiatric ward in Erinsborough Hospital, she managed to escape and ran to Ramsay Street (unknown to the staff). She changed into Carmella's hospital attendant uniform, but was confronted by Carmella as she tried to run back to Ramsay Street. She threw a saucer of boiling water at Carmella, and ran away. Carmella was found by her boyfriend, Will Griggs (Christian Clark) and taken to the hospital.

Many relationships and pregnancy

She suffered scarring on the face, and could not bring herself to face public. Neighbour Harold Bishop (Ian Smith) talked her around. Will then convinced her to have surgery that would ease the scarring. Later neighbour and former flame Ned Parker (Daniel O'Connor) told Carmella he loved her, however it was not two sided, as Carmella and Will made it clear that they loved one another. After Will tried to convince Carmella that he was not lying to her, Carmella rejected him, thinking that he could not handle who he really was. Will then left to go overseas. A week later, Will's brother, Oliver (David Hoflin), showed up and explained everything to Carmella. The two soon began dating, but Carmella's problems with her uncle have caused them to split.

After her split with Oliver, she began a dangerous romance with Ringo Brown when they went into the fruit store business. Ringo was currently dating fellow student Rachel Kinski. There has been a lot of controversy about their age difference.

She has then found out that she is pregnant with her ex-boyfriend, Oliver's, baby.She was later told by the doctor that her former addiction to prescription pills could have harmed her baby, although receiving the all clear in the end. Carmella then had no choice but to break the news to Oliver. Much to her surprise, he is thrilled by the news.

Relationship with Marco

Carmella is later began an online business with partner Marco (Jesse Rosenfeld) to whom she became attracted to, but felt at the time that their relationship should be strictly professional as she was still in love with Oliver. Later she was taken ill while at Marco's and was rushed to hospital with stomach cramps. She had an ultra-sound showing she had a certain condition called placenta previa but that the baby was fine. The ultrasound was also able to show the sex of the baby, a girl. Carmella finally revealed her true feelings to Oliver and was devastated when he admitted he didn't love her.

Carmella and Rosie were staying at Marco's family farmhouse when they made the discovery that he was married. Carmella confronts Marco about his wedding photos she found and he tells her he was once married but is now divorced; they ended up sharing a kiss. Carmella became jealous when she thought Marco was going on a date, which eventually drew them together.

Birth of Chloe

In the season return of 2008, Carmella decides she wants a natural birth, without drugs, due to her previous medication addiction. When discussing this with Marco she asks him to be present at the birth as well as Oliver, to which he agrees. Carmella went in to labour, and is scared as she is premature but still wants a natural birth. The doctor informs Carmella that the baby is in discomfort and needs to be delivered quickly, so he recommends a Caesarean section; leaving Carmella devastated. She gave birth to Chloe who is immediately moved to the neonatal intensive-care unit. Chloe's life hangs in the balance initially, but after a couple of days she is able to breathe on her own, allowing Carmella to hold her daughter for the first time.

Carmella later broke up with Marco and he decided to go to a vineyard in Darwin. However, after a few days, Carmella called him on his mobile and asked him to come back to Ramsay Street.Carmella went on to move in with Marco and her daughter, Chloe in Harold's old house number 24.

As Oliver's dislike Marco grew, Oliver filed for sole custody of his daughter Chloe, much to Carmella's disgust, the main reason being he felt he was being left out and Marco was taking over the role as Chloe's father. Carmella had tried talking to Oliver but it has always ended with them arguing. Oliver later decided to stop fighting for custody. Carmella was offered a trip to Italy and much to Oliver's dismay because of his custody battle, she decided to take it to give Chloe a chance to meet her relatives.

Marriage and death of Marco

On the 27 June, Marco proposed to Carmella who accepted. However, on the same day a bush fire started near them. After getting to safety in a house, Marco went back outside to help find Kirsten who was lost. Marco went back for Chloe's bag and Carmella's ring. They could not open the door in time and Marco got injured. Knowing he didnt have long to live, he persuaded Carmella to marry him by his hospital bed, which she did before he died.Lately Carmella believes she has been seeing Marco's spirit with the notice board in the general store being knocked over everytime Carmella is around. Elle is supporting Carmella's theory.

On the 8th August 2008 the father (Oliver Barnes) of her baby left for New York, she was invited to go but declined saying she couldn't leave Marco's memories.

Reception

Since the actress first appeared as the character she has gained recognition for the role due to the popularity of Carmella. In 2005 she won a Logie Award for Most Popular New Female Talent. [ [http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,21664313-5012909,00.html Nominees for the Gold Logie | The Daily Telegraph ] ] [ [http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,21664454-5012909,00.html Logie award winners 2005 | The Daily Telegraph ] ] This led to more guest stints, and on May 15, 2006, Carmella returned as an official cast member after Carmella had had such a successful run in "Neighbours" due to her on-screen chemistry with co-star Patrick Harvey (Connor O'Neill). [ [http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/a31253/natalie-blair-returns-to-neighbours.html Soaps - News - Natalie Blair returns to 'Neighbours' - Digital Spy ] ] The actress was also nominated for a Golden Logie in 2007 and 2008. [ [http://www.lastbroadcast.co.uk/tv/v/3101-natalie-blair-neighbours-carmella-cammeniti-interview.html LastBroadcast.co.uk - Natalie Blair (Neighbours' Carmella Cammeniti) Interview ] ]

Tabloid The Herald Sun describes the character of Carmella as becoming one of the show's most popular characters. [http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,23939557-27258,00.html] With Scott Ellis of the tabloid's television magazine stating that soap can have slightly surreal standards, but when it comes to the character of Carmella, she has been through a wringer. He made a point of the many storylines that transformed the character [http://www.aol.co.nz/celebrity/story/Blair-taps-into-her-talents/586601/index.html] :

Family

*Rocco Cammeniti (father), married to Lucia Cammeniti (mother)
**Rosetta Cammeniti (sister) married to George Brown aka Frazer Yeats ( brother in law)
***Marco Yeats (nephew)
**Carmella Cammeniti had a relationship with Oliver Barnes and married Marco Silvani (deceased, 2008)
***Chloe Cammeniti (daughter)
*Raimondo Cammeniti (uncle)
**Teresa Cammeniti (cousin)
***Bonnie Cammeniti (cousin-once removed, deceased)
* Maria (aunt, deceased)
** Vinny Cammeniti (cousin)
** Sienna Cammeniti (cousin)

References

External links

* [http://www.neighbours.com/characters/carmellacammeniti/ Carmella's Neighbours Profile]