Terry Pheto
Actress, Producer and the latest family member of Swiss watch-making brand, Longines
Actress, Producer and the latest family member of Swiss watch-making brand, Longines
An Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 2005 for the South African film Ttotsi, catapulted Terry Pheto into the limelight at the beginning of her acting career. Her role as Miriam in the film is far removed from the Terry we see today – a polished leading lady in films; as actress, producer and the latest family member of Swiss watch-making brand, Longines.
TERRY, TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF.
I was born and raised in the Vaal Triangle, south of Johannesburg in a little township called Evaton. That’s where I went to school. At the age of 20, I moved to Soweto to pursue an acting career. I was discovered by a talent scout from Moonyeenn Lee while doing a theatre play in Soweto. One thing led to another; one audition after another and one day I was walking the red carpet in Los Angeles. The first film I starred in - Tsotsi, had won an Academy Award! That’s my three-lined version; it’s a lot more colorful though – I’ve been around for 38 years and I’ve been in the industry for more than fifteen years.
YOUR TSOTSI WIN WAS FOURTEEN YEARS AGO! WHAT DO YOU REMEMBER ABOUT THE NIGHT?
It still feels like it happened just the other day, even though it was fourteen years ago. No-one can prepare you for it, especially being a young, upcoming artist, whose dream is still to perform in Grahamstown at the Market Theater or at the State Theater. I never imagined that something like this would happen, or at least not that early in my career. Not that I never dreamt of it; obviously it’s a lot to take in. It’s like a grand entrance into the industry. The spotlight is firmly on you while you’re trying to find your feet in the industry. A lot of blessings come with that, but also a lot of pressure and responsibility. I’m glad I’ve had a great support structure from the word go.
WHO IS YOUR SUPPORT STRUCTURE?
My family has always been my support structure. No matter how popular or successful I got, you don’t mess with my Mom - she doesn’t tolerate any diva-like behavior. My agent/manager has been the greatest mentor in my career. She’s very old-school; that really helped, because it was never about the popularity, it was always about the work. I keep checking myself and to stay on the path that I want to be on. I am still working towards the goal – I achieved a lot in the beginning, but there is still a long race ahead. I wanted a career more than a hit.
It’s not easy to get a hit. The first film I starred in might have won an Oscar, but I didn’t win an Oscar for best actress. I can still do that on my own. I didn’t get into the industry purely to win awards; even though it is great to be celebrated by the industry and your peers. The more you win, the more you want to win, and the more opportunities will be there for you, the more will be expected from you. It’s just a matter of getting back to work, getting back to set and finding another project.
I was doing industrial and educational theater when I got the role in Tsotsi. I had a full-time job as an actor, and I was given a break to go and film. After that, I went back to doing theater. Then I was given other opportunities for film and television. I was very careful because Ttotsi was an older character than me, I knew that the next role had to be something young, to play my age and have fun.
I always tried to find a balance between film and television during the formative days of my career, understanding that film didn’t come every day; you were lucky to be in a film once a year. The South African film industry was still up and coming and there weren’t a lot of movies, especially for women.
I was also very fortunate to audition for international films, where I worked with Diane Kruger & Joseph Fiennes in Goodbye Bafana and Tim Robbins & Derek Luke in Catch a Fire. These were the first three years as a working actor. This put a bigger understanding that you realize this is a circle, this is my circle of people I work with. You just keep it going and look for more work opportunities, hopefully landing a lead actress role instead of a supporting actress.
Before you know it, you’re starring opposite Idris Elba in the film Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom! We thank the gods for him (laughs).
HE’S CERTAINLY SOMETHING FOR HE EYE. WHAT IS HE LIKE AS A PERSON?
He’s such a kind, generous, sensitive man. I think that makes him a brilliant actor. He’s an extremely nice human being. And very grounded. He’s won an award for the Sexiest Man Alive. I kept on wondering – does he know he’s Idris Elba because he kept on acting like a cool, English guy.
YOU JUST FORMALIZED A GLOBAL BRAND RELATIONSHIP WITH SWISS WATCH-MAKING BRAND, LONGINES, AS A FAMILY MEMBER.
Longines started engaging with me about two years ago, very elegantly courting me. They invited me to Paris for an introduction to the brand and to see how they operate. I was ‘of course! Who says no to Paris’?! Paris is always a good idea. The following year, they invited me to the French Open as a guest and a friend of the brand. Of course, I said yes! The courting was beautiful. I also did my research, and being a Kate Winslet fan, who is a Longines Ambassador of Elegance, I knew that this was a right fit for me. This is definitely the direction I would take should I pick a watch brand. The same way Kate would pick a script. I believe I’m the first South African to have this wonderful privilege, being a Longines Family Member.
YOUR RECENT VISIT INCLUDED A TOUR OF THE LONGINES HEADQUARTERS AND FACTORY.
Yes, we officially signed. I went to visit the Headquarters in Saint-Imier, Switzerland, where I met the entire team and I got to see how this beautiful brand is built – who are the people behind the scenes, who are the people that are putting the watch together that I’m wearing, where it’s all made. It’s such a beautiful experience and I’m really honored to be part of it. Longines is one of the biggest and oldest watch brands in the world. Visiting the museum and seeing how some of the watches were made, it was honestly overwhelming. To see how people work there, having been there for a very long time, it’s a very good story to tell for any brand; once you’re there, you don’t want to leave.
YOU WERE INVITED BY LONGINES TO ATTEND THE PRESTIGIOUS PRIX DE DIANE CHANTILLY HORSE RACE.
We went to Paris for that. It’s been a very fun and fulfilling journey with Longines and I’m absolutely thrilled about the future and growing with the brand.
DESPITE BEING INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED, YOU STILL STAY LOYAL TO YOUR COUNTRY BY WEARING SOUTH AFRICAN DESIGNERS.
It’s important that when I get given the opportunity to take one person with me, or take
something with me; it’s a way to ground me, but also a way to celebrate a big moment or achievement with someone else.
You can’t always have a plus one ticket, so the best thing for me to do is to showcase our wonderful talent, which we have in abundance in South Africa. I’ve been working with Marianne Fassler since day 1 – from the Oscars to today, for special occasions, I love her work, I love her brand, it’s easy for me to go back to her as I know I will stand out anywhere in the world.
People will stop and ask ‘who are you wearing’? It’s such a natural thing for me to do, I don’t even think twice about it. It’s part of my plan and ritual – I take a bit of home with me everywhere I go. It’s great to have such a relationship with someone who really gets you – what works for you, what’s flattering. I’m rooted at home, even though I have these wings that can take me all over the world.
YOU HAVE TRAVELED TO A NUMBER OF COUNTRIES. WHICH HAVE LEFT A LASTING IMPRESSION AND WHY?
My most recent visit to Switzerland’s Saint-Imier was incredible; the experience more than anything. You can experience the world as one thing, but to experience the world with the amazing company really puts it on another level altogether.
This trip made me fall in love with Switzerland again, because of the beauty and the kindness of the people.
I spent about ten days in the South of France, in a small little village called Èze. It was honestly like finding myself in a storybook and I’m this character walking along the streets. It’s a Medieval village that has been preserved as it was back then.
YOU ARE AN ACTRESS AND A FILM PRODUCER. ARE THERE EXCITING PROSPECTS / PROJECTS ON THE HORIZON?
I’ve always tried to balance my acting, producing and behind the scenes work. The important part of the film is the people that you work with. The Film is not like a photoshoot where you arrive, leave again, re-touch the photographs and have them ready a few days later. With film, you are involved for a minimum of two or three years. I will be telling an authentic South African story with heart. Pre-production has commenced already; we start filming in November.