Celebrity – Zola Nombona

Mthatha-born actress Zola Nombona, 27, shares what makes her unique, her dream role, and not taking anything for granted

When I started out in the industry, I really enjoyed watching myself on TV. Now, not so much. The more I grow, the more pressure I put on myself. I’ve been so blessed to portray different characters, so now I’m unable to watch myself on TV while getting into someone else’s skin. It’s a weird state, but that’s how it is.

I have to be as authentic as possible when telling stories. There’s more to acting than just being on TV. As actors, we have to be the truest mirrors, because if what I portray is misconstrued, then whoever resonates with that story won’t see themselves. I usually choose projects with a storyline that speaks to me, and where I’m able to find my voice within it. I praise my God every day, and never take for granted the fact that I’ve brought many characters to life.

The motivation behind #TransformationIsMySuperpower is that it’s what makes me unique. I’ve always feared being boxed in and typecast. I pride myself in saying, ‘give me anything and I’ll become it’. That’s what I do – I transform. I never want to sit at home, unemployed. It’s a dream come true to be constantly busy and to work in between productions. I filmed eHostela while Lockdown was on a break. It can be strenuous at times, because I give my all in everything I do. I prefer location to studio shoots. As corny as it sounds, we’re at the mercy of the Universe. So if the sun is out, then it’s out and you’re going to burn. If it’s cold, you’ll freeze. You factor in all those elements and inlcude them in making the art and energy come alive on screen.

Filming eHostela in KZN was lovely. It was great to be in a completely new environment, working with new people. Brightness was a very challenging character – I really had to step out of my comfort zone and get out of myself to be her, and I absolutely loved it. The neurons in my brain were firing a 100 times more than normal!

I admire Brightness because she’s such a brave character. She fights for what she wants and what’s right. In the same breath, I look back at some of the things she’s done and think ‘oooh girl, what are you doing?’ [chuckles] My role on Lockdown, Monde, and I have been together for four years – I love her tenacity and strength. Through the years, she’s gone through a lot, but still remains herself.

I still get anxious before auditions and while acting. I care so much about my craft, and don’t ever want to feel like I know what I’m doing or that I understand a character fully. If I don’t get nervous, it’ll stifle me as a performer. In this fickle industry of ours, you need to treat your first role like your last, and your last like your first.

I’ve loved music since primary school. I sang in the choir throughout high school. I got to Wits University and joined the choir — I’ve always been a choral singer. Being featured in DJ Active’s single (I Like It) was an ‘if I can, why not?’ moment. I can sing and if I were to record music, it’d mean first devoting time to the craft. I never want to come in and act like I know when I don’t, that’s how much I respect the industry. I first want to learn and find my voice.

I think there’s potential in the #OpenUpTheIndustry movement. I completely agree with it, but not what it has become. Now we can’t see the same faces, even though those people have worked so hard to be there? Now all that must be snatched away because there’s a new hopeful? I’m all for new talent, but let’s not make it seem as though everyone was born an actress or singer.

I’m such a loner. I like my space because it affords me peace of mind. I hardly go anywhere — I’m either at work, the gym or at home. I de-stress by keeping my space peaceful, and by hanging out with my sisters and two best friends. I was blessed to have made real connections and strong bonds before the fame. Busi and Lwazi are true friends.

Busi is the most dialled person on my phone. We live together, so she’ll call about something on TV and we’ll laugh our heads off. We’re stupid, silly and have a naughty and fun kind of friendship.

If I had to star in any movie, the title would be Seven. It would be a thriller and I’d be the lead, playing seven different people, just like James McAvoy in Split. That would be a defining moment in my career as I’d pull off a thriller convincingly. Failure has shown me how strong I am. In those moments I get to see the potential I carry. Every time I get knocked down, I know it’s a step to something bigger. I always feel like there’s a next level, and that’s what happened with Dancing With The Stars. I made it to the finals, and I left feeling like I’d won. I learnt to be my own cheerleader.

My ‘Mama I made it’ moment is my parents witnessing me live off my craft. Parents worry, especially in our industry, where you can’t even buy a house because of the nature of our jobs. At home they don’t care if you’re famous. It’s a job to them, like any other, and that keeps me grounded. •