Former Durban actress Josette Eales, who left South Africa a year ago to make a name for herself in Los Angeles, is doing just that.
Not only did The Wild star land a role in the Adam Sandler romantic comedy Blended, due for release in the US in May and in South Africa in July, she has also been named international brand ambassador for the Bio-Therapeutic skin care range.
She will be using the top-notch products and equipment to ensure her skin is a flawless advertisement for the brand when she is photographed on the red carpets of Los Angeles.
Her association with Bio-Therapeutic began without fanfare in September.
“They delivered some products to my door and I had no clue who they were from,” she says. “I began using them and noticed that my skin was more hydrated and the texture smoother, so I wrote to David Suzuki, president of Bio-Therapeutic, thanking him for the products. His response was to invite me to Seattle to discuss my becoming an international ambassador for the brand. I flew there and was given star treatment.
“My role involves using the range of products (a huge bonus, as I am 30 and noticing changes in my skin), appearing on all their branding and marketing both online and in publications, being available to attend functions and be a spokesperson for the brand.”
She is also thrilled to have landed a small part in Blended and have worked with Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore.
“I play a couples massage therapy teacher, over-the-top and very funny, a woman who takes her job far too seriously.
“We shot on location in Atlanta and the experience was amazing. I had the full treatment from a car service to the airport and first-class flights to five-star accommodation. Being on set of a Warner Brothers picture means no money is spared … I’ve never seen set lunches and breakfasts like that.
“I was incredibly intimidated to work with Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler. I have grown up watching them on screen and suddenly I was on set and acting opposite them.
“But that disappeared the second I met them, the crew and director Frank Coraci. They were lovely, down-to-earth people and made my job so easy, even complimenting my work and sharing jokes. It just felt that we were actors doing our jobs and that was awesome.
“It was wonderful to know that no matter how high up you go, there is always room for humility and a good laugh.
“All my work was done with the two of them and actor and comedian Kevin Nealon.
“The movie comes out in the US in May so I’m sure I will see them all again at the premier here in LA.”
Deciding to move to Los Angeles a year ago was a brave move considering The Wild was at its height and her career was going well.
But Josette thrives on challenges – including jumping out of a plane for the African Conservation Trust’s Skydive for Rhinos in 2012, which raised R30 000.
Her yearning to work in American television and film was getting stronger.
She had won a green card in a lottery, but it came with a deadline.
“I agonised over what to do – stay and work in South Africa or give up everything and take a huge leap of faith. I decided to resign from the show and two weeks later it was announced that the show was to be cancelled.”
Searching for acting work in LA is tough, says Josette.
“Imagine you are in the Olympics competing with the world’s top athletes. LA is like the Olympics of acting. Actors from around the world descend on this city with a dream, hoping it will happen, all striving for a piece of the pie. I have been blessed with amazing people and fantastic new friendships that have helped me through tough times.
“When I arrived I began training with an acting coach and spent about four hours a day for three months talking in an American accent. I think I have got it now and it is also about learning what not to say – it’s gas instead of petrol, trash and not rubbish – those are dead give-aways.
“In terms of work, I’ve booked a role on a multi-cam comedy produced by Martin Lawrence called Love That Girl and, besides Blended, I’ve shot a short film produced by an Emmy award-winning team.
“I also just signed with an amazing manager who reps Jacki Weaver and Vinnie Jones among many other impressive people. Life is good!”
* The Bio-Therapeutic skin care regime combines products and equipment to rejuvenate and improve the quality of the skin. Products are applied with a hyaluronic gel mask for maximum absorption and LED lights are used to boost circulation and collagen production, shrink pores, reduce hyper pigmentation and control acne.
This is followed up at home with the Bio-Therapeutic Cocktail of three products: an ampoule, serum and cream, to stimulate collagen and elastin production and minimise skin thinning, dehydration and solar damage. See www.bio-therapeutic.co.za