Jeannie D
What’s going on in your favourite actress’s head?
Bubbly continuity presenter and TV host Jeannie D (aka Jeannie De Gouveia) has been a mainstay on trendy magazine lifestyle show Top Billing (1996- current) for years and while she makes the job look easy, the 30-something reveals that it’s a lot harder than we think and that re-takes always help. “Oh there have been many pinch-yourself moments and laughs [during filming]. I have a memory bank full of them – I suppose I’ll have to write a book at some point. With live TV, you just compose yourself, cover it up and rectify as honestly and humbly as possible – these things happen.” When she isn’t jet-setting around SA and the world or busy with her other work (radio DJing, MCing and being a brand ambassador, among others), Jeannie is all about the smallscreen, being on it and in front of it… Who was your first TV crush? Luke Perry – he played Dylan McKay in teen drama series Beverly Hills 90210 (1990-2000) and is currently playing Fred Andrews in drama series Riverdale (2017- current). What did you do when an adult moment came on while you were watching TV with family? I froze. I literally didn’t move a muscle – not even a blink. What product have you wanted ever since you saw it on TV? The hoverboards that Michael J Fox’s character Marty McFly uses in sci-fi movie Back To The Future 2 (1989).
Whose TV wardrobe do you want? Lady Gaga’s from when she played The Countess in season 5 (2015) of horror anthology series American Horror Story (2011- current).
Whose TV house would you love to live in? Obviously a couple of the houses we’ve featured on Top Billing…
What shows are you fanatical about now? Epic fantasy series Game Of Thrones (2011- current), historical drama Vikings (2013- current) and period drama The Crown (2016- current). If you worked behind the scenes, what job would you want and why? Casting director because it’s fascinating to watch talented people transform into their roles with such conviction… or I’d like to select soundtracks to films or TV shows. What is one of your favourite plot twists from a show? In Game Of Thrones season 6 episode 2 (2016) when Jon Snow (Kit Harington) is brought back to life!
Which character is your favourite hero? Norse warrior Bjorn Ironside (Alexander Ludwig) in Vikings. I could just watch him all day. What is your nightmare scenario while filming? Experiencing a technical failure on the red carpet right before a once-in-a-lifetime interview. With all the reboots happening, which series would you like to reboot and be part of? Late celebrity chef and journalist Anthony Bourdain’s travel cooking show Parts Unknown (2013-2018). If you could play any character on any show, who would it be and why? Me on my other reality show Top Travel (2011-2016) – best ever! What show are you binging on currently? I’m still looking for a goodie; any recommendations? What show and episode made you cry most recently? Every single episode of drama series This Is Us (2016- current).
Your favourite TV icon is? Talkshow host Oprah Winfrey, chef Anthony Bourdain and nature expert Sir David Attenborough. The magic that they create onscreen is something to behold.