2000–2004: Home and Away In 1999, after completing
Year 10, Sursok acquired an agent and landed her first audition for a role in the long-running Australian drama series
Home and Away. She was cast in the role of
Dani Sutherland, the rebellious eldest daughter of the Sutherland family who took over the running of the Caravan Park. The actress considered herself lucky to get the part, calling the experience "incredible". Sursok's performance earned her a nomination for the
Logie Award for Most Popular Actress, losing out to ''
McLeod's Daughters'' star
Lisa Chappell.
2004–2006: Whatever Will Be Sursok left
Home and Away in 2004 so that she could pursue a music career, and acting opportunities, in the United States. In 2004, Sursok acknowledged that she was signed to
Sony BMG Music Entertainment, confirming reports that recording for her debut studio album had begun. Sursok's solo album,
Whatever Will Be, was released on 22 May 2005, under
Sony Music Entertainment with songwriters
Savan Kotecha,
David Kreuger,
Marion Raven,
Steve Booker; and producers John Shanks, Per Mangusson and David Kreuger.
Whatever Will Be made its debut on the
ARIA Albums Chart at number thirteen. During its second week on the charts, it remained at its peak position of #13; however, during its third week, it had a significant drop by 23 spots, landing the album at No. 36. During its fourth week, it fell further landing at No. 43. It ended its run on 20 June, falling completely off the charts and has not charted since. Upon the song's release, it quickly shot to No. 1 on the
Australian Top 100 Radio Airplay Chart, becoming the highest charting debut single in years. "Whatever Will Be" was the 98th best-selling single of 2005 in Australia. In 2007, after a successful audition, Sursok became the third actress to portray
Colleen Carlton on the American soap opera television series,
The Young and the Restless. Her debut was quickly met with criticism from a number of
The Young and the Restless viewers. Despite the negativity, she received comparable positive viewer feedback. "The fans have been really great." In preparation for the role, Sursok tried to catch up on Colleen's history. "I watched the last six months of episodes," she said. "My boyfriend used to date a girl who was obsessed with
Y&R, so he knew everything about it and brought me up to speed, as well." Sursok earned a
Daytime Emmy Award nomination for her portrayal of Colleen
the following year. In an interview with
Soap Opera Digest in October 2009, Sursok said it was difficult to pursue outside projects and appear on
The Young and the Restless as well. Her departure was a mutual decision between Sursok and the
showrunners. Sursok recorded over three tracks for the film's soundtrack, which debuted at No. 44 on the US
Billboard Hot 100. The
soundtrack, recorded in 2008, was released on 3 February 2009, with Sursok appearing on seven songs on the album, including two solos. The soundtrack peaked at number 44 on the
Billboard 200. Sursok also appears in the 2009 feature films
Crossing Over and
Albino Farm. In June 2013, Sursok announced that she would continue her role as Jenna through her pregnancy. She played Sarah Corso in the indie film
Driving By Braille, directed by Kristina Lloyd and written by Richard H. Moon, released on DVD in May 2013. The story tells of a young woman who relives childhood trauma when she senses her boyfriend is about to propose, and who must sort through the crippling fear and doubt that is holding her back before her past destroys the couple's future. In 2014, after several reports of Sursok indicating she was returning to music, she released a collaboration with singer
Joe Brooks, covering "
Say Something" made famous by
A Great Big World featuring
Christina Aguilera. In January 2022, Sursok joined the cast of Australian soap opera
Neighbours as fashion designer and businesswoman
Montana Marcel. Her first appearance was on 13 April 2022. ==Personal life==