Pint-sized but powerful Jane de Wet

IN THIS week’s A-typical interview we feature South African actress Jane de Wet.

De Wet is well known for her roles in TV productions such as Still Breathing, The Watch, and Trackers, as well

as local films Moffie, Griekwastad, Rage and Parable.

The 25-year-old also plays the role of Lexi in current hit local TV series

The Girl From St Agnes. You are given the option of starring alongside either Leonardo Di Caprio or Brad Pitt in a Hollywood blockbuster. Who do you choose?

A Sophie’s Choice! In the same way I hope sushi doesn’t hear me when I choose pizza, I hope Brad doesn’t hear me when I choose Leo, because they sure are equally delicious. I’m going with Leo since he starred in two personally influential films: Revolutionary

Road and Wolf of Wall Street. Your favourite restaurant in South Africa is… And what do you normally order?

Clarke’s in Cape Town – best veggie burger in the country. Your most challenging role as an actress was… ?

Playing Marthella in Griekwastad was both an honour and a terrifying challenge. I felt an immense responsibility towards her and her loved ones to tell her story truthfully and tenderly – a tribute to a beautiful soul. Placing myself in her shoes and trying to fathom merely a fraction of the confusion, fear, anguish and excruciating pain she suffered, was taxing on the best of days, incapacitating on the worst. It was emotionally depleting. You are stuck on an island with your fellow cast members of Still Breathing. You have to split into teams of two to gather food and survive. Which cast member do you team up with?

Shannon Esra – she’s smart, strong, resourceful and downright hilarious. If the food’s scarce, at least the entertainment will be abundant. Your celebrity crush growing up was… ?

Channing Tatum – my friends even had his face printed on a pillow for my 16th birthday so I could kiss him goodnight every evening. Have you

SEEN Magic Mike? The biggest misconception people have of Jane De Wet is?

My size! Whenever I meet someone who has only seen me on screen, their first reaction tends to be “I thought you were much taller!” I’m “Emilia Clarke/Lady Gaga” kind of short. A full 5’2” (1.58m). The one thing your fans don’t know about you is… ?

I’ve known I wanted to be an actor for as long as I can remember. People often think because I studied a BCom Management Sciences, I had some sort of awakening at the age of 21 where I decided to just “try this acting thing”. Although that has worked for some, that certainly is not my story. I’ve devoted my entire life to the performing arts – first as a dancer, then as a theatre actor and in recent years, as a film actor (my true love). What has caught your attention on social media in the last week?

I’m witnessing trends towards supporting local and an appreciation for community over competition. I thank Covid-19 for that. | Saturday Star

Actress Jane de Wet