In a devastating announcement that has shaken fans across Australia and the global Home and Away community, actress and social media powerhouse Alea O’Shea has revealed

she has been diagnosed with brain cancer at just 25 years old. The young star, who rose to fame portraying Darcy Callahan on the iconic series, shared the news in an emotional video addressed

to her 300,000 followers across Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube — a video she admits she never imagined she would have to film.

With her voice trembling but her resolve unmistakable, Alea opened the heartfelt message by confronting the life-altering diagnosis head-on. “This is a video I obviously thought I’d never have to make,” she said. “But I’ve recently been diagnosed with brain cancer. Saying that, like a hook, is insane. It’s been a crazy few weeks.”

The actress, known for her bubbly personality and disarming honesty, held nothing back as she detailed how the past month has unfolded — a whirlwind of medical tests, terrifying symptoms, and agonising uncertainty. Alea revealed that the search for answers began roughly six weeks earlier, when she noticed small, seemingly harmless changes in her body. “I realised my smile was a little uneven,” she recalled, “and it felt harder to talk, to get my words out. I had migraines here and there, but nothing that felt like a red flag.”

What Alea didn’t know then was that these subtle signs were the earliest warnings of something far more serious. The true turning point came while she was working in Los Angeles. Out of nowhere, two of her fingers went numb — a sensation that soon spread to her wrist and even her toe. Believing at first it was a minor issue, possibly a pinched nerve, she sought help from her physiotherapist. That appointment, she now says, may have saved her life.

“He immediately realised it was beyond his scope,” she explained. “He sent me for a brain scan right away. And that’s how we found it.”

The scan results led to a biopsy — performed on her birthday — a moment she describes as surreal and emotionally overwhelming. Since then, she has been in what she calls a “limbo of waiting,” clinging to hope while bracing for answers. Only now, armed with clarity and the beginning of a treatment plan, did Alea feel ready to share her truth with the world.

“I’m choosing to be open and honest about this online,” she said in her video, “because I want to live my life as normally as possible while I’m fighting this.”

Despite the gravity of her diagnosis, Alea remained remarkably composed, often slipping into humour as a way of grounding both herself and her followers. She described the physical limitations she’s begun to experience on the left side of her body — a result of the tumour’s location — and joked, “Can I flip you off? No. Thumbs up? No. Or hold things? No. But the good news is, where it is on my brain isn’t going to affect my personality. I’m still going to be as hilarious and have the gift of the gab.”

Doctors have warned her that symptoms may worsen before they improve, and she may face temporary or long-term complications after surgery, including paralysis along her left side and the possibility of losing her hair. But Alea emphasised that she is preparing for whatever comes, even if it means adapting how she creates content or stepping back when her health requires it.

“In the coming months, I might be doing videos one-handed,” she said with a soft smile. “I might disappear when I need to. But mostly, I’m going to be showing up as me every single day that I can.”

Through every emotional beat, one message echoed louder than any other: gratitude. Despite the shocking diagnosis, Alea insists she feels “genuinely so blessed,” a sentiment powered by the unwavering support of her family, friends, and army of fans who have embraced her since her debut on Home and Away more than a decade ago.

“To everyone who follows me and has been invested in my journey thus far — thank you,” she said tearfully. “Thank you for being here. And thank you for staying through this chapter.”

But as she moves forward into treatment and an uncertain future, Alea is determined that cancer will not become her defining feature. “It’s just another part of my story,” she said. “And if it can bring some perspective, comfort, or positivity to other people going through it, while helping me get through it, that’s all I could ever want.”

Her video has already amassed more than 230,000 views in just a few days, with fans sending love, prayers, and messages of strength. For an actress who has always worn her heart on her sleeve, Alea O’Shea’s bravery in sharing her battle so openly has only deepened her connection with audiences.

Now, as she steps into the biggest fight of her life, she does so with extraordinary courage — and with the support of a community that refuses to let her face it alone.