I’LL NEVER TAKE A ROLE IN EXCHANGE FOR SEX: ACTRESS
FEMALE artistes face a myriad of challenges in the entertainment industry, including being sexually abused by those who control these fields.
H-Metro’s LATWELL NYANGU (LN) had a chat with actress Talent Mazenge (TM).
LN: There is a perception that when you see a woman succeeding, they could have gone through carpet interviews. How did you get all these roles?
TM: Most of my productions were based on talent. Of course, there are some who get the roles through connections, but as for me, each time I go for auditions I will be called, meaning I would have qualified. I was once called by some producers to get some role in exchange for favours, but I turned down the offers.
LN: What is the most difficult thing female artists face in this industry?
TM:
Female actors are more in numbers than the males. So, if you know no one in this industry, sometimes, it’s difficult to get chances. At times, we are called for auditions and you will be surprised to see someone who didn’t audition getting a role. People say, for you to get bigger roles, unenge warara nemadirectors.
LN: And the relationship with directors? TM:
Nowadays, most directors are very abusive. I have come cross such situations although I will not mention names. In most cases I confront ndichida kuziva kuti zvichiri zvebasa here? Women should see kuti apa kuitiswa because I can’t have sex
kuti ndibude mu TV. The same here with you Mr Nyangu, if you tell me kuti for me ndibude mupaper I have to sleep with you, I will let the whole nation know kuti ndozvamandiita.
LN: They say, women, who are in the limelight,
are difficult to marry? What’s your take? TM:
This is a true story since I was married and my husband passed away so I entered the film industry as a single woman. Several men do not like women who appear in public or who become popular. They know kuti most female actors vari pa demand and they have many eyes set on them. Everyone will be seeing them on television and men have a tendency of trying their luck on celebs. So at the end of the day, we will be labelled as prostitutes yet we are not.
LN: But assuming you were married, were you going to feel comfortable to let you partner feature in some movies?
TM:
It all depends on how we could have met. If I loved him while he was already an actor, I see no problem since he would have his reasons for loving me. But, if he starts acting while takugara tese I will stop him from acting because I know what happens in this industry.
LN: What drove you into this industry? TM:
I would like to be honest with you Latwell, when I started acting, I was doing it for passion and I realised later kuti on the other hand it’s a job and you will become famous. If you work with individuals who don’t pay, unenge uchingoti you are acting for passion. But when I worked with a better production, I discovered this was a good profession. But to tell the truth hazvina mari kungoshandawo kuti uwane mari yekutenga nyama kuti vana vadye.