Simone Kessell

Simone's skills include aerobics, badminton, basketball, baton twirling, cycling, fencing, jump roping, kick boxing, netball, pilates, table tennis, racquetball, rock climbing, running, squash, tennis, triathlon, volleyball and yoga. She also does boating, body surfing, canoeing, kayaking, jet skiing, sailing, scuba diving, snorkling, surfing, and swimming.

There was some controversy when Simone was cast in the lead role of Marama in the historical drama Greenstone because she looked too European to play the daughter of a Maori chief, and didn't actually know much about her Maori heritage. But she was eager to learn, and once she got over being nervous about that aspect of the role, she found she really enjoyed it. Before the filming began, she studied the Maori language and New Zealand history, and learned to perform some of the native dances.

While making the New Zealand film Greenstone, Simone had a very dangerous close call while riding a horse. The animal spooked, and the large wig she was wearing got caught in a tree's branches, leaving her unable to dodge the horse's kicking hooves. Fortunately she was not seriously injured in the accident.