Nandi set to fulfill Hollywood dream
Hollywood in sight as talent signs with LA’s A3 Artists Agency
Nandi Madida is ready to become Hollywood ’ s next big thing after starring in Beyoncé ’ s Black is King.
The 32-year-old star, who throughout her career has transformed herself like a chameleon, reveals this in an interview that is as unorthodox as her showbiz trajectory.
Madida details the next chapter in her career through a WhatsApp voice note interview featuring her son, Shaka, playing in the background.
Sorry, my son is following me around,” Madida excuses herself before she chuckles when Shaka interrupts her at one point.
This week Madida took a great stride towards achieving her Hollywood dreams after signing with LA-based
A3 Artists Agency that has Fatmata Kamara as one of the talent agents.
Kamara has given the Midas touch to the likes of Gabrielle Union, Winston Duke, Jesse Williams and Zazie Beetz.
Now it is Madida ’ s turn after taking the world by storm with her golden smile and pink-hued short ‘ do portraying Nala in Black is King.
I still can ’ t fathom that they want to work with me, and it ’ s something I don ’ t take for granted, Madida gushes.
Because of the mist of Covid-19 I feel like someone is going to wake me up and say ‘ you are dreaming ’. I ’ m so excited to make my country and continent proud.”
Madida ’ s career kicked off at 15 as presenter on youth TV show Bling. But what ’ s fascinating about her rise is that she has never boxed herself. She has always kept her fan base guessing on what she s going to do next.
Madida went on to present All Access Mzansi and BET A-List. She has had an impressive music career with songs like Tonight, Goodtimes and Skhanda Love. Madida also led the cast of retro telenovela, The Road. She has shaken the fashion world with her label Color, while also modelling for beauty giant LUX.
“The world is your oyster. Every opportunity belongs to everyone and it ’ s not for the few, ” Madida says she has learnt over the years.
“God can take you from nowhere and have you on the world ’ s stage. It ’ s not just with me, so many artists. Look at Master KG, it ’ s so inspiring.
“I have been looking at someone like Jennifer Lopez and Jamie Foxx, people always say you can ’ t do it all. But they have, and on top of that they are parents. I look at their careers, and I ’ m grateful that I can express myself in a similar way. ”
But perhaps Madida ’ s biggest gig to date has been starring in Beyoncé ’ s musical film Black is King inspired by The Lion King.
“I still can ’ t believe that I was a lead for such a project. I even got phone calls from people I never thought I will get phone calls from.
Just someone like Taraji P. Henson saying, ‘ I saw you in Black is King and Im ’ proud of you ’.”
In true Beyoncé style, her involvement in the project has been so tightlipped that before today she hasn ’ t spoken much on it.
“I got a phone call late last year. At first they couldn ’ t name the company (Parkwood Entertainment), but they told me, ‘ they love you and want you to be part of this project ’,” Madida says.
Then we got the e-mail and I saw the name. It was just surreal. For them and Beyoncé to trust me with such a big role was just very humbling. Then to meet her and work with her; it was out of this world.”
So, how was it like to work with Queen Bey?
She ’ s not only just this powerful superstar, but she ’ s honestly the most humble, sweetest and kindest human being. That ’ s really the most inspiring thing for me,” Madida replies.
I can ’ t stress how insanely sweet and gorgeous she is – no makeup and natural beauty. She kept encouraging me on how beautiful I looked and how good I smelled – so I ’ m never changing my scent. You see someone ’ s true character when you are on set that long and it was beautiful to see that and just learn. My word! What a machine!” Despite the many challenges brought by the Covid19 pandemic, it ’ s been a fruitful year for Madida. Her song with rapper KO, Say U Will, won a SA Music Award (Sama) for best collaboration. I recorded that song when I was pregnant with my daughter (Nefertiti), and to see what has come out was so incredible. I will forever be grateful for my brother KO.
While Madida admits that economically and psychologically the Covid-19 pandemic has taken a toll on her, she has used the free time to catch up on family life with her musician husband Zakes Bantwini and two kids.
Spending more time with my family has been amazing. Usually I ’ m travelling; so I got to spend more time with my kids.
“Even just having class sessions with the teachers and seeing how they interact with my kids. Seeing who they are in the class setting and their characters was great to see.”
Madida also inked a record label deal with Song Music Entertainment Africa. She has since released her new single, Organic, inspired by iconic Khoikhoi figure Sarah Baartman.
The Sarah Baartman story is the one that is not told enough. Where you have a lady who was exploited in so many ways for her physique and aesthetics,” Madida says.
For African women, the story is still the same. We are constantly made to feel bad for how we look and our aesthetics.
I m saying let ’ s own our narrative. I ’ m urging all African women to be proud of their beauty – you are organic and magic.”
For now Madida is in no hurry to release an album. She s letting her fans guide her on when the right time to drop it will be.