Ada Nicodemou admits she was embarrassed by her Greek heritage as a child and hid her food at school because she felt like an 'outsider'

Ada Nicodemou admits she was embarrassed by her Greek heritage as a child and hid her food at school because she felt like an 'outsider' READ MORE: Home and Away's Ada Nicodemou shocks with childhood school photo as fans claim that the youthful actress 'hasn't aged a day' By Ali Daher For Daily Mail Australia Published: 00:31, 8 September 2024 | Updated: 00:31, 8 September 2024 e-mail View comments Home and Away star Ada Nicodemou has opened up about her struggles with embracing her Greek heritage during her childhood. The beloved actress, 47, who has portrayed Leah Patterson-Baker on the hit soap since 2000, shared intimate details of her battle to fit in while growing up in Western Sydney . In a piece for Stellar , Ada revealed that much of her school life was spent hiding the rich and flavourful meals her Greek mother Jenny lovingly prepared.

'Growing up in Western Sydney, where I was one of the few Greek kids in school, I often felt like an outsider,' she wrote, admitting that she craved the typical Aussie lunches her classmates enjoyed. 'I vividly recall the one time my mum packed me a ''normal'' sandwich. It tasted awful but I ate it to fit in, not to stand out.



' Ada recalled sitting at lunchtime, eyeing the Devon and tomato sauce sandwiches of her peers, all while she reluctantly tucked into her gourmet Mediterranean spread. Despite the mouth-watering array of Greek delights her mother would send her off with, Ada admitted she was embarrassed by the very things that made her unique. She would often give away her lunches to classmates, unaware that she was sharing culinary treasures that she would deeply cherish later in life.

Home and Away star Ada Nicodemou has opened up about her struggles with embracing her Greek heritage during her childhood The beloved actress, 47, who has portrayed Leah Patterson-Baker on the hit soap since 2000, shared intimate details of her battle to fit in while growing up in Western Sydney 'As a child, I was embarrassed by the things that made me different. I remember handing out my lunch to classmates, not realising the culinary treasure I was giving away,' she explained. But with time, Ada's perspective on her culture and its traditions shifted and she began to recognise the profound love behind her mother's insistence on preserving their Greek customs through food.

'My mum's efforts to keep our culture alive through food felt like an imposition. Now I see them for what they were: a beautiful expression of love and heritage,' she added. Ada, who was born to Greek Cypriot parents, has previously spoken about her pride in her heritage as an adult.

Now, a mother herself to son Johnas, 12, Ada said she's come to fully embrace the Greek traditions she once tried to hide. She now believes in the importance of passing these customs down to future generations, recognising them as a symbol of love and a way of keeping her family's rich heritage alive. Now, a mother herself to son Johnas, 12, Ada said she's come to fully embrace the Greek traditions she once tried to hide (both pictured with Ada's mother Jenny) Read More Home and Away's Ada Nicodemou and James Stewart look loved-up as they enjoy romantic lunch in Sydney Ada and her ex-husband Chrys Xipolitas welcomed their son Johnas in August 2012.

In late 2015, Ada and Chrys called time on their nine-year marriage and publicly confirmed news of their split just months later. Ada went on to date millionaire businessman Adam Rigby but the couple went their separate ways just before Christmas last year after eight years together. She has since found love again with her Home and Away co-star James Stewart, with news of their romance emerging when they were seen kissing on Anzac Day.

The pair have known each other since 1998 when they co-starred on the short-lived Channel Ten soap opera Breakers and have both been staples on Home and Away since 2016. Ada described her blossoming romance with James as 'unexpected' as she broke her silence on their relationship last week. 'Jimmy and I are together, yes.

It's only early days. It's very recent and very unexpected. I'm super happy.

It's really lovely,' she told Stellar Magazine. Ada recently found love with her Home and Away co-star James Stewart (both pictured this week), with news of their romance emerging when they were seen kissing on Anzac Day She insisted their Home And Away characters Leah Patterson and Justin Morgan getting married on-screen was not an early sign of their real-life romance. The wedding episode aired on April 9 but was filmed around six months earlier, with Ada insisting their 'genuine feelings' only emerged later.

'There weren't genuine feelings then,' she explained. 'It was shot last year. But I think whenever you're watching any TV couple, you're always wondering if they really do have feelings.

' The couple began dating after Ada split from Adam Rigby and James finalised his divorce from Sarah Roberts in March. Home and Away Share or comment on this article: Ada Nicodemou admits she was embarrassed by her Greek heritage as a child and hid her food at school because she felt like an 'outsider' e-mail Add comment.