Cariba Heine

Cariba Heine (born 1 October 1988) is a South African-born Australian actress and dancer. She garnered recognition for her leading role as Rikki Chadwick in the fantasy drama series ' (2006–2010) and next starred in the televison series Blue Water High (2008) and Dance Academy (2010–2013). She portrayed Caroline Byrne in the true crime film ' (2009) and had her feature film debut in the disaster horror film Bait 3D (2012).

Heine appeared in the music video Rough Sweat (2016) and in the television series Home and Away (2018) and The Secrets She Keeps (2020).

Early life

Heine was born in Johannesburg to South African parents Michelle, a former showgirl, and Kevin Heine. She moved to Australia at the age of three with her parents and older brother Kyle (born 1985).

Career

Dancing

Her early days included training in jazz dance, tap dance, classical ballet, acrobatics and rhythmic gymnastics, and studying acting and singing at National Capital Acting School. She danced at her mother's dance school in Canberra, where she later attended Telopea Park School and St Clare's College. She was the youngest dancer to perform at the Stargazers Convention in Sydney, Australia. She was homeschooled to focus on her dance career, and performed in many stage productions, including a tour in the United States, where she featured in the music video for Will Young's song "Leave Right Now". After a serious hip injury, she was suggested to temporarily turn to acting by her manager.

Acting

Heine began her acting career in 2006 by being cast on the television series, ', where she played Rikki Chadwick, one of the lead roles. Heine next portrayed Caroline Byrne in the television film ' which was broadcast on Network Ten in Australia on 4 November 2009.

In 2011, she joined the cast of the indie film Lord of the Crows, though the film ultimately failed to get crowdfunded. In 2012, she portrayed Heather in Bait 3D, and Delvene Delaney in Channel 9's biographical TV miniseries Howzat! Kerry Packer's War. In 2016, Heine reprised her role as Rikki Chadwick in the final two episodes of the third series of ', a spin-off of H₂O: Just Add Water. The same year Heine had a starring role in the short film How'd I Get in This Field which premiered at the Massachusetts Independent Film Festival.