SINGING sensation Zena Donnelly has landed the “opportunity of a lifetime” after being cast in Cinemagic’s feature film A Christmas Star.
The 12-year-old was one of a lucky few who auditioned among thousands to win a part in the production, which tells the heart-warming story of a spirited young girl who charms an entire village at Christmas.
“I'm ecstatic,” Donnelly told The Irish Post this week.
“For something so big and so amazing as A Christmas Star to happen to me, I am overwhelmed.”
She added: “I feel like I have been given an opportunity of a lifetime and a role in a truly inspiring film. All the people I have met are so nice and so much fun and I can’t wait to start filming with them.”
Donnelly, who hails from Blackrock in Co. Dublin, was discovered by The Late Late Show in 2009.
Since then she has been involved in film, theatre and concerts and has featured in a range of television adverts.
The young singer also previously starred in Annie the musical in Dublin and once sang a duet with Whitney Houston.
Having just completed filming for an RTE drama, which is due out January, Donnelly is currently an online presenter for Smyths Toystores and is due to shoot a Cheerios Childline campaign in Britain at the end of the year.