When Cape Town’s Roxanne Jooste hit the lottery – a trip to the US – little did she realise how her fate would become intertwined with Hollywood. Today, she is making her mark with a top model agency, hosting a YouTube talk show, Roxanne Meets, and has bagged an acting gig in the upcoming film, The Choir Director, writes Debashine Thangevelo.
SOUTH African presenter Dalen Lance’s younger sister – Roxanne Jooste – is flying our flag high in the hills of Hollywood.
Some people dream big, but never realise their dreams. For this talent, nothing was going to stand in her way, not even the word, “no”.
Her journey may have started as a chance act, but it snowballed into something more.
She explains: “In 2009, I won a trip to the US through a random student lottery. The news of me winning the trip was quite surreal, as you can imagine. It was an all- expenses paid trip, whereby I ended up working at an elite sports camp in New York for nine months. And the US is quite fast-paced, which was quite a challenge to adapt to, especially with me not being with my family. Being the baby in the family and being completely separated was not easy at all.”
After finding her rhythm, that fire in her belly to make her mark in the international Mecca of all things entertainment was ignited.
Of course, in that dog-eat-dog environment, a thick skin and doggedness akin to Arnold “I’ll be back” Schwarzenegger (The Terminator) is what got Jooste to where she is now.
She laughs: “Well, let’s just say my tenacious attitude came into play once again. Wilhelmina Models turned me down twice. When I basically walked into their offices for a third time, the head agent came running up to me and shouted: ‘We do not do walk-ins’. She called security on me. As I was being escorted out, I turned around, ran back into the office and said: ‘Please, take my model card as this is all I wanted to drop off…’ Again, she called security, but she took it.
“Three weeks later, while my family were visiting, I got an e-mail from them. God’s blessings, once again! I have done an array of beauty and lifestyle campaigns for them.”
Among her projects was a Dior campaign.
Now NDB Productions, the company behind The Millers, The Kingstons and Fame in the Family, are also involved with her YouTube talk show, Roxanne Meets.
She explains: “It is a show that I created and am co-producing with my brother Dalen Lance and NDB Productions. It is centred on one-on-one interviews with established and rising figures in the entertainment industry and showcases some of the coolest hot spots in Hollywood – ones that you don’t find in your tour guide book.
“It’s a four- to six-minute show that focuses on people and places that you will not see every day either by turning on your TV or in your travel guide. It’s a show that reveals a few secrets that the stars don’t even share with the public. I’m not trying to be anyone but me and my show is just my take on the things and people I have contact with, who just happen to be a few movers and shakers in Hollywood.”
Expanding on her guest list, she notes: “The first episode featured Don Benjamin, a former America’s Next Top Model contestant. The second episode featured Sam Jones III, from the TV shows Smallville, Blue Mountain State and ER.”
And Jooste is very hands-on with this baby of her hers.
“I do most of the bookings as I have a large network of contacts in the industry. I book talent based on what’s happening or about to happen to them in the industry.
“For example, the Don B interview took place just before he did the Keshia Cole music video and the release of his hit single with Eric Bellinger. I plan each show according to my guests’ availability and usually preparation starts two weeks prior.”
While she isn’t trying to be the next Oprah or Ellen DeGeneres, she does catch the re-runs of their shows.
On bagging a role in The Choir Director, she shares:” It’s a movie by New York Times best-selling author, Carl Weber. The movie is set to be released on the big screen in April. I play the role of Sandra Gianetti, a woman married to a pastor but who ends up sleeping with the entire community, which is quite crazy. It features a cast of well known actors.”
While she is making her footprints in Hollywood, she hasn’t turned a blind eye to opportunities on her home soil.
She offers: “I definitely will be visiting South Africa very soon and, yes, if the right opportunity arises I would most certainly work on a few projects. In fact, I’m in talks with some companies as we speak.”
And, that’s a wrap on another local success story in Hollywood.
HOLLYWOOD HIGH FLIERS
Sharlto Copley: This 40-year-old Pretoria-born actor, producer and director fell under Hollywood’s radar with Neill Blomkamp’s Oscar-nominated sci-fi, District 9. Since then, Tinseltown has become his playground with roles in The A-Team, Elysium, Europa Report, Maleficent with Chappie, The Hollars and Hardcore releasing next year.
Neill Blomkamp: Like Gavin Hood, doors opened for this writer, director, producer and animator. Named as one of the 100 Most Influential People of 2009 by Time and the 21st Most Powerful Celebrity from Africa by Forbes, he went on to direct Elysium, which he also wrote, and will be working with Copley again in Chappie, a movie he co-wrote and is directing.
Sasha Pieterse: This vivacious, youthful singer, songwriter and actress is a Joburg export, who has been making waves in TV shows like CSI Miami, Without A Trace, Heroes, Medium, Pretty Little Liars and Hawaii Five-0.
And that’s not forgetting her big screen credits – albeit in supporting roles.
At 18, she is definitely well on her way to the big time. Best you watch out, Ms Benoni!
FAILURE TO LAUNCH
Terry Pheto: This Tsotsi starlet has been throwing her oar in, in the movie sector – in SA. While she generated much hoopla about bagging the part of heart surgeon, Dr Malaika Maponya, in the long-running US soap, The Bold and the Beautiful, Hollywood hasn’t been banging on her door since. But her international portfolio is certainly keeping her busy at home.
Fana Mokoena: This veteran actor was certainly the flavour of last year after bagging a role opposite Brad Pitt in the international blockbuster, World War Z. But those bright lights of Hollywood have since dimmed – can’t say the same for his ego, though.
Tanit Phoenix: Being a swimsuit model might get doors to open – but talent is mandatory for them to stay so. Sadly, this Durban girl has grabbed more headlines for being Copley’s girlfriend than for her big screen exploits in The Philanthropist, Death Race 2 and 3, Spud 1 and 2 and Gallowwalker. If nothing else, at least she is famous for being famous.