Top Actor Africa host Zikhona Sodlaka says she has been blown away by the talent on the show.
The reality show, which airs on Tuesday evenings on DStv’s Black Entertainment Television (BET) channel 129, features 12 aspiring actors from all over the continent battling it out for the number one spot.
In the end, the winner of the show gets a cash prize and a chance to audition for international productions. Sodlaka is the host and mentor of the show, which is in its second season.
The first season featured South African actors only, but the show now include entrants from the entire continent.
“The talent and skill is there; on both seasons we saw a lot of talented actors. The only problem is that there aren’t many opportunities for actors in this industry,” she said.
The Mthatha-born actress made her debut acting in the SABC1 youth drama production, Tsha Tsha. She has featured in numerous television productions and was also in Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom.
Sodlaka is one of 16 actors who were fired from Generations in 2014.
Sodlaka said the industry needed to create more opportunities for actors. “There are many aspiring actors who follow the right channels, from studying drama to training but there are just not enough opportunities.”
She said the reality show gave actors and viewers a preview into the reality of acting.
“Acting is not an easy task. As an actor one must know that there will be a lot of challenges along the way, from rejection to having no job,” she said.
Despite the challenges of scarce opportunities for actors, Sodlaka said she would still choose to be an actor.
“If I started out with all this information that the contestants are getting I would have advanced faster in my career. I have learnt a lot over the years and I am glad to be sharing with the group,” she said.
The show tests the actors to the limits over a number of gruelling acting challenges, taking them through every genre from improv to comedy, theatre, soapie, commercial, romance, horror, drama and action.
Along the way they work with Hollywood and local industry experts as they fight to stay in the competition and keep their dreams alive.
“We don’t lie to the contestants. We tell them the truth about the business they are getting into. I cannot lie because this is our reality,” she said.
Last year’s winner, Altovise Lawrence recently landed a role on e.tv’s Scandal. This came after she featured in her first Hollywood production, The Other Side alongside Brad James and Erica Hubbard. —poliswap@dispatch.co.za
Amazing talent on TV reality show
The reality show, which airs on Tuesday evenings on DStv’s Black Entertainment Television (BET) channel 129, features 12 aspiring actors from all over the continent battling it out for the number one spot.
In the end, the winner of the show gets a cash prize and a chance to audition for international productions. Sodlaka is the host and mentor of the show, which is in its second season.
The first season featured South African actors only, but the show now include entrants from the entire continent.
“The talent and skill is there; on both seasons we saw a lot of talented actors. The only problem is that there aren’t many opportunities for actors in this industry,” she said.
The Mthatha-born actress made her debut acting in the SABC1 youth drama production, Tsha Tsha. She has featured in numerous television productions and was also in Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom.
Sodlaka is one of 16 actors who were fired from Generations in 2014.
Sodlaka said the industry needed to create more opportunities for actors. “There are many aspiring actors who follow the right channels, from studying drama to training but there are just not enough opportunities.”
She said the reality show gave actors and viewers a preview into the reality of acting.
“Acting is not an easy task. As an actor one must know that there will be a lot of challenges along the way, from rejection to having no job,” she said.
Despite the challenges of scarce opportunities for actors, Sodlaka said she would still choose to be an actor.
“If I started out with all this information that the contestants are getting I would have advanced faster in my career. I have learnt a lot over the years and I am glad to be sharing with the group,” she said.
The show tests the actors to the limits over a number of gruelling acting challenges, taking them through every genre from improv to comedy, theatre, soapie, commercial, romance, horror, drama and action.
Along the way they work with Hollywood and local industry experts as they fight to stay in the competition and keep their dreams alive.
“We don’t lie to the contestants. We tell them the truth about the business they are getting into. I cannot lie because this is our reality,” she said.
Last year’s winner, Altovise Lawrence recently landed a role on e.tv’s Scandal. This came after she featured in her first Hollywood production, The Other Side alongside Brad James and Erica Hubbard. —poliswap@dispatch.co.za
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