Beauty and the blues…
IF THERE is a red carpet event in South Africa. Boity Thulo (pictured) is generally among the home-grown A-listers to grace it.
The bootylicious presenter and actress is known for her effervescent personality and trendsetting, albeit risqué, wardrobe. And the pint-sized personality always pulls it off with panache.
Aside from being a presenter who is still making an indelible impression as a co-host on e.tv’s Club 808, Thulo has also been making her mark in the acting arena with popular TV offerings like 4Play: Sex Tips for Girls, High Rollers and Rockville. That’s not forgetting her being a contestant on SABC3’s Strictly Come Dancing as well as a celeb commentator on 10 Over 10.
Now’s she’s stepping onto another set at her e.tv home. She’s been cast as Luscious Lu, a radio DJ and station manager at Nine-9, in Rhythm City.
As for how bagged the part, she says, “I was asked to come in for a casting and audition. I went and I got the role.”
Expanding on her character’s back-story, she offers, “She is a radio personality. A snobby young girl who is also the station manager. She always wants to be in charge. She understands the space she’s in and who she is. But she is having trouble with certain people in that world. They feel intimidated by her looks and, I guess, her star quality.”
As someone who is at the epicentre of stardom, Thulo was asked if she, based on her observations and exposure, could relate to Luscious.
She says, “In our industry, it’s the kind of behaviour that could get you in trouble. In terms of her personality, I can’t relate. Those are characteristics I try and stay away from – like looking down on people, being standoffish, etc. You end up losing jobs because people hate your personality. At the same time, her being in that environment and the entertainment industry, I can relate to that.”
While she is determined to play this character with conviction, she says, “Even the radio aspect is going to be new. I’ve never worked on radio. I’ve only done a couple of radio interviews. The idea of being a station manager, what is that? (Laughs).
She adds, “I was telling someone just now that the most fun about acting is getting to access those characteristics we all have. I mean, we all can be bitchy, rude and snobbish. We can be all those things, but we either suppress them or protect ourselves from them. With acting, you get to tap into so many different types of you without getting into trouble for it.”
As for her long-term career plans, Thulo reveals, “Definitely more acting lessons. I need to hone my craft. I don’t want to disrespect the craft by knowing I haven’t perfected and worked on it. I want to be confident that I know what I’m doing. From thereon, the more you work on something, I think the universe aligns to bring more of that to you. I think by learning, it’s going to open more doors and I’m going to get more powerful roles that I can be confident and competent in… I would love to do film. You get to give yourself to one project at a time. I’m not keen on being on one show for too long.”
Before getting judgemental about Thulo’s character, one of the reasons why she is the way she is, is because her trusting nature has seen her get burnt a few times.
Another problem at work are the daily battles with Zolani’s wife, who thinks Luscious is having an affair with her husband.
Thulo says, “This woman in insecure. She works with Lu and is always being ruthless and accusatory. She thinks everyone wants to be with her husband and he isn’t even that good looking!” Ouch. Well, one thing is certain, there’s going to be plenty of fireworks coming up with all this festering cattiness.
Rhythm City airs on e.tv at 7pm, weekdays.