On Wednesday I spent the morning being as skullduggerous as possible to get us some steam on actor
Zolisa Xaluva.
Zolisa's acting credits include roles as Jason on
Generations, Lwazi on
Tsha Tsha 3 and 4 and most recently HHP's manager on
Rhythm City.
As we speak he's playing Khutso on SABC1's
uGugu no Andile, which gave me the purrrfect opportunity to catch up with him to slurp out his hottness factor.
I used the "excuse" that we were doing a
TVSA Celeb Q&A but actually, what I was up to was grabbing some up-close-and-personal time to give him a
hott rating.
As you'll see from his answers - he didn't suspect a thing!
Tashi: What's your fave TV show of
all time?
Zolisa: The Cosby Show - still love it. I wish I could get a DVD of the first seasons actually, it was my ultimate.
Tashi: Yes it was a great show - what was it about it that appealed to you most?
Zolisa: I was just happy to see black people living as a family and being happy. The way our African families have been - without proper structure, broken homes, daddy being an abuser or mommy working too hard or maybe being a single mom. It was nice seeing a black family having fun together, growing up together and being professional - it was very aspirational.
Tashi: Also every episode had some sort of life lesson but it never came across as preachy.
Zolisa: No, no, no it was just a lot fun and the messages really drove into me. I used to love the little girl, the last born child - her name was Rudy I think - she was my age and I used to have a crush on her. I knew I'd never get her but it didn't stop me from imagining.*laughs*
Tashi: *laughs* Your fave TV theme tune?
Zolisa: Off the top of my head - that Ally Mcbeal song ... - I don't remember the tune exactly but I remember it always stuck in my mind.
Tashi: Yes what was that?
Zolisa: I can't remember ...
Tashi: I'm going to look it up ... (... it was called Searchin' My Soul by Vonda Sheperd)
.
Tashi: If you were to get married - what song would you want played as your first dance at your wedding?
Zolisa: I'm a big fan of John Legend when it comes to the whole love song and romance thing. There's a song where he says he wants to be with his woman forever and will always treasure her.
I listened to it the other day and I started having these fantasies about getting married, seeing my wife walking down the aisle and stuff. I'd want any John Legend track because I think he's a legend in himself, he understands love very well - he's the new Marvin Gaye.
Tashi: You say you pictured someone walking down the aisle - is it somebody in particular?
Zolisa: No - my bride had no face in my mind. Now that you mention it I had this white veil covering no face. *laughs* I'm not really dating at the moment - I used to go out with this girl for a very long time, then I dated three other people after that but right now I'm in between.
I'm focusing more on work than love but I do want to be in love again. I really pray to God that he could bring someone to love and trust and spend the rest of my life with.
Tashi: If you could date
anyone on the planet, who would it be?
Zolisa: I'm big on Rihanna at the moment. I love the accent, the eyes - they're captivating - I love her voice when she sings, it's very sexy.
Tashi: So if you went on a date with her, what would you do?
Zolisa: I think she's a very simple girl, much like me - I'm a simple guy. I'd take her away from people - so a private venue with simple stuff - a hotdog and a walk on the beach in a T-shirt and flipflops. Nothing crazy, I'm not big on candles and that whole kind of thing - but I am a hopeless romantic.
Tashi: It's a very fine line between being romantic and being cheesy.
Zolisa: Yeah exactly - and I don't want to be predictable either. She's from Barbados so a one-on-one boat ride would be great as well - so I could get to know her ... look into those gorgeous eyes ... you know.
Tashi: What's been the most challenging acting scene you've ever done?
Zolisa: On Tsha Tsha - Lwazi, he was very complex character. He was a nice guy but he was going through a whole lot of stuff - he was unemployed and very depressed.
Getting into the depression was potentially dangerous 'cos I'm a bit of method actor - I really, really,
really get into it - so it was a challenge. It was hard and challenging but watching it afterwards and how well it came out was very fullfilling.
Tashi: What does getting-into-it involve for you? Is it a state of mind beyond performances?
Zolisa: For me it meant needing to think negatively all the time and I'm not that kind of guy. Even when I was walking around in the real world I had to look at things differently. When I was party and it was a happy mood - I'd try to imagine how he'd respond in the situation and do it - some people thought it was a little weird and some people didn't notice. *laughs*
Tashi: Which roles out of these would most want to play: - a doctor or detective?
Zolisa: Definitely a detective.
Tashi: A warder or prisoner?
Zolisa: Mmmmm, that's a tough one - I'd actually like either one of those ... but a prisoner would be more intense. I'm an intense actor.
Tashi: Hero or villain?
Zolisa: Hmmmm, I love being a villain 'cos I'm a real life hero so I want the challenge! *laughs*
Tashi: Con artist or love interest?
Zolisa: Right now con artist, yes - when I first started acting it would have been love interest but right now con artist.
Tashi: Lawyer or journalist?
Zolisa: Lawyer - I grew up wanting to be a lawyer. I had challenges with my hairbecause I've got locks and most lawyers shave their hair to look neat and proper and I don't like looking neat and proper - I'm a bit rough around the edges when it comes to my appearance.
Tashi: Music sensation or Olympic athlete?
Zolisa: Olympic athlete 'cos I can't sing - I can only sing in the show er- that's the only time I sound good but I do love music. A music mogul or music producer would be good.
Tashi: You've already played one on Rhythm City as HHP's manager. What was it like playing him?
Zolisa: It was exciting - I felt the way it was written wasn't necessarily how the manager would be because he was aggressive and HHP's a really nice guy but I think there's a lot that could happen with him. The character could definitely grow to manage any one of the musicians on the show.
Tashi: What's your fave radio station?
Zolisa: I listen to Y - I love it - the way it explores youth culture. I'm loving Dr Sbu, I'm glad he's back. Since I was at 'varsity in 2001 I've been listening to it - it speaks to me directly.
Tashi: And your fave movie of all time?
Zolisa: That's a tough one - being an actor I love movies. The Godfather series for me was amazing, 1 and 2 especially. I love Marlon Brando, I'm a big Al Pacino fan and of course Robert de Niro - they're my ultimates. The acting in the movie, the directing, the story - everything. My favourite actor of all time though is Johnny Depp -
Tashi: - apparently he's got this fancy island he escapes to with his French wife -
Zolisa: I like the fact that he doesn't take Hollywood seriously - it's just a job - I love that. He's one actor who can transform into anyone and do anything.
Tashi: What's the wildest thing you've ever done?
Zolisa: I'll tell you the most stupid thing I've ever done. I was in love with my ex so much - I was doing first year at school, I was broke, I had no money and I really wanted to see her so I walked over 20km's from Melville to Doornfontein just to go see her and when I got there she wasn't there. I should have just got 50c to go to a tikki-box to say: "Are you there?" and I didn't.
Tashi: Did you wait? What happened?
Zolisa: I waited and she didn't pitch so I walked all the way back.
Tashi: Do you believe in aliens?
Zolisa: No. *laughs* I don't really enjoy science fiction - it's only X-Men that I really, really enjoy - 'cos I love Halle Berry! And Hugh Jackman, he kicks ass as well. Steven Spielberg and George Lucas have amazing minds but I think science fiction's an acquired taste.
Tashi: What's a moment that's super-special to you?
Zolisa: The day I got my first gig - when I got the call to say I'd been cast in Tsha Tsha 3. I was still in drama school and had an agent and that moment - when I got that call man, it really kicked off my career.
Tashi: What's your most memorable thing about being on Generations?
Zolisa: I felt like I was a part of a really special family - like all the women, as beautiful as they are, they felt like my sisters. There was a cameradie and the many of the actors were like my mentors. I actually miss that about Generations - more than being on stage even - being in the artists room, where you can feed off each other.
Tashi: What's the grooviest thing about playing Khutso on uGugu?
Zolisa: The fact that I don't have a girlfriend in the show, I love that. I'm not saying that I don't ever want to have a love interest but for this one thing, it's the first role where I don't kiss or pursue anyone - even though its a love story.
Also playing opposite Luzuko Nkqeto, who plays Bullet - my second in command - I feed off him a lot, he's a great freind of mine and being on stage with him was thoroughly amazing.
Tashi: When last did you kiss someone?
Zolisa: Last weekend.
Tashi: Ooooh - who was it? Tell us.
Zolisa: It's no-one you'd know, I'm kinda dating someone but it's nothing serious. The sparks were flying high though - I'm not shy of expressing myself!
Ends
I'd been freeeezing when we started talking and by the end I was so toasty you
no idea.
My hott rating: 10 out of 10!
PS: All made hotter by the fact that it's his birthday today - check out TVSA's Celeb birthdays.