On Friday morning I got a fun surprise call from BB Africa2's Lerato who phoned me up for a chinwag.
When we chatted at the
BB2 Finale she said she'd keep in touch and true to her word she updated me on the latest news for us.
We chatted about what she's up to - at the mo she's wheeling and dealing in the entertainment world, talking to people about TV and radio projects and she's in negotiations with a clothing line.
From what I could work out she's making sure that things are hip and happening around her as much as possible.
Tashi: When you come out of Big Brother - is it possible to sustain yourself financially with what happens afterwards?
Lerato: It is possible - it also depends on who you are and how you handle everything. If you just gonna go out and go back home and go back to your normal existence - if that’s possible - you’re gonna be pretty pooped but I believe all twelve of us should be milking it for what it’s worth right now. Africa’s our oyster and we need to get out there and get everything we’ve ever wanted out of it.
Tashi: In terms of engangements to Max etc - what’s the story?
Lerato: We’re not engaged.
Tashi: Are you still together?
Lerato: Yes.
Tashi: Really? I’m surprised - I never thought he’s right for you.
Lerato: I know you thought that. (
laughs) We are still together, ja, and doing quite well.
Tashi: So what’s everyone else up to?
Lerato: I speak to everyone: Richard’s doing Nigerian movies -
Tashi: What? Nigerian porn movies??
Lerato: I dunno - something in Nollywood - he’s doing something there and says he’s been travelling and Offuneka says she’s working on TV stuff.
Tashi: And Richard and his wife - last we heard she’s become his
manager.
Lerato: Ja well, you know - every person needs their own thing, I dunno - but they are back together, they’re quite happy, she’s e-mailed me and she’s quite cool with everything.
Justice - I spoke to Justice, I think a week ago - he’s doing his debating thing.
Tashi: (
laughs) Just ... debating. *picturing him debating morning, noon and night.*
Lerato: Jeff's fine 'cos I phoned him to find out how he is with all the stuff that’s going down in Kenya - I was worried about him and he was like: “Oh my gosh you’re the first person from the house to phone to show concern,” so he was really happy about that.
Tashi: Is he fine?
Lerato: Ja he’s fine - he’s working on his new book and says that if things don’t get better soon he’s gonna come this side and I was like, "You can always give me a call and I’ll give you a bunk to sleep on.”
Bertha’s also in South Africa - working on a whole lot of TV and radio stuff and Max is working on his thing - doing a lot of charity things with Aids and kids. We did a lot of that in December when we were in Namibia - we went to an Aids orphanage and spent time with the kids. I think people are taking the initiative to go out there and get what they want.
Tashi: Are you back at work or are you going for it with different things?
Lerato: A bit - I help out where I can when they ask me - some sort of normality is good so once in a while I help out but I’m very busy with meetings and interviews and all sorts of madness.
Tashi: TV-wise - what do you want to do? Talk shows?
Lerato: Yes something where my personality comes out - nothing acting, I’m not into playing a role type thing. I’m on Facebook daily, replying to people who liked me and those who didn’t. I always take time out of the day to reply to fanmail or whatever.
Tashi: People who didn’t like you - was it difficult to deal with that?
Lerato: Not really, like I told them, I respect their opinion and that’s what it is. Initially when you come out it is hard to follow, I was like “okay,” “oh wow” ‘cos people are harsh, they can be really, really harsh but I was just like I roll with the punches - all the negative stuff just made me a stronger person and now some of the people who had negative things to say are being really really nice over e-mail and a chat so it’s been interesting.
Tashi: (laughs) Yes they realise you were in a show and now you're a real person.
Lerato: There's an interesting ... have you seen the blog Ultimate Fan Weblog? Oh my Gosh - what they do - on a weekly basis I think, someone will write a story about whoever and then people who are diehard fans stay on there commenting and asking questions - I try to go on every day to reply to what people ask me. At the moment there’s a whole debacle about Richard’s comments about Tatiana, it's just really ... (
laughs).
Tashi: Is it sort of Perez Hilton type like?
Lerato: It’s like no holds barred and nails come out.
Tashi: Cool I'll check it out.
EndsHere it is:
BBAfrica 2 Ultimate Fan Weblog. As you can see there are chats with scumbag Richard, horror pics of Richard and Ricki called Richiki, news on Tatiana getting a Best Actress nomination (I can't work out for what) and there’s a Q&A with Lerato.
Here’s a link to Lerato’s public profile on Facebook too:
Lerato Sengadi.
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