I met Jessica Nkosi on the day of our scheduled cover shoot at the African Pride Audacia Manor Boutique Hotel in Morningside. Our glam squad for the day – which included make-up artist Jackie Jetnarayan, hairstylist Fay Abdulla from Hoi Polloi and designer Kathrin Kidger – did not have much glamming-up to do because the 27-year-old is gorgeous.
Refreshingly, she arrived on time, rushing to the shoot from church. “I thought I was just meeting a journalist for an interview,” she said, as she introduced herself.
“Then I got a call sheet and thought: ‘What, I have to be on location?’ ” She immediately won everyone over with her friendliness. As a lead actress on one of the most popular local TV shows, Mzansi Magic’s Isibaya, Nkosi is accustomed to early mornings, late nights and working on location.
The show tells the story of a couple of taxi-owning families and their battle for dominance in the uThukela region of KwaZulu-Natal. It has created a number of new stars, Nkosi among them. “When I got the Isibaya call, I could not believe it. I wanted it so badly and had worked so hard to be one of the cast that when it happened I was numb,” Nkosi said.
She went from being an inexperienced drama graduate to a well-known actress, acting alongside veterans like Siyabonga Thwala and Thembi Nyandeni. “I remember my first day; it was my birthday and I didn’t even speak to anyone. I spoke only to deliver my lines. I was so nervous, and being around such amazing performers did not help.
” Nkosi was born and grew up in eSikhawini, near Richards Bay. When her mother remarried, she went to live with her father. “I just wanted to be with him. I was a real daddy’s girl. He was one of my biggest fans, especially when I was pursuing a modelling career. I appreciate my mother for allowing me to go and stay with him because he died when I was 16.
”Nkosi enrolled to study law at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, but in her second year decided to switch to what she loved: the performing arts. “Somehow I just did not want to be a lawyer any more. At university you are exposed to a lot of things and careers you hadn’t thought about.”Nkosi didn’t tell her family about her decision.
She joined Isibaya in 2014 and was soon offered other roles, most notably that of advertising executive Eve in Mzansi Magic’s risqué drama, Ayeye. “When the Ayeye role came about I was so scared because people knew me as Qondi, a Zulu queen who has a doek and is rural. Eve was totally different – aware of her sexuality and a typical city girl.
But I enjoyed playing her. ”It just so happened that our interview was scheduled for the day that Mzansi Magic aired the first episode of Our Perfect Wedding with Nkosi as the guest presenter. “Our Perfect Wedding ignited a fire in me for presenting… that show is just so crazy and so much fun that I enjoyed it. ”This first episode also tested her skills as a presenter. “The first bride was a bride from hell!” Nkosi dreams of having her own talk show, and of acting in a Tyler Perry film.
“I mean, if I had to see him in a restaurant or the airport, I would audition for him on the spot. I admire him so much. I don’t know what my audition would be about because I have not rehearsed it (laughs) but I tell you, that’s my dream. I’d even camp outside his offices in Atlanta. ”Nkosi has also been named as a spokesmodel or, as it is described these days, an “influencer” in a collaboration for cosmetics giant Clinique.
“I got a phone call last year and it was Clinique wanting to meet me. We met, loved each other, and they came back with an offer. They did not even have to ask me if I wanted to work with them – they just had to say ‘Jessica, we want you’ and I would have said ‘yes’ immediately.
“It’s special for me because my mother is a Clinique lady. Growing up, I would accompany her to the mall to buy Clinique products at their counters and, of course, I would use them too. My mother still uses the products and when she goes into a store, she sees my face on the posters. It’s beyond amazing.
”Nkosi has been nominated for numerous awards and last year walked away with the statuette for best actress in a TV drama at the Simon Sabela Awards. “It’s great to be acknowledged for your work. I was so excited when I won. It feels good, especially because I have not been in the industry for a long time.
”As with any starlet, unfounded rumours abound, from family dramas and a beef between her and other actresses to the perennial favourite, whom she is or isn’t dating. “I simply don’t entertain any rumours about me. I have had to be thick-skinned. A lot has been said and written about me, but I ignore it all because I know the truth…
Let’s talk about my acting, my dreams, my aspirations – these are of interest to me. Not tabloid stories and internet trolls. “Sunday is one of my favourite days of the week, but I promise you, the devil seeps in through some Sunday tabloids and their gossip. But I don’t let him get the better of me, honey, oh no,” she added with a giggle. The next time I see Jessica it is at the Simon Sabela Awards, where she a contender for another best actress award.
After a few exchanges by text message, Jessica gives me a call, saying: “I have arrived, where must I park?” After we locate each other, I find, by complete accident, I am walking the red carpet with her and end up sitting next to her for the entire awards show. She is great company. I have interviewed a number of big stars, but there is something intriguing about Nkosi, especially her remaining humble with the success she enjoys.
“It really has been a crazy number of years, but it’s not me, it’s all God. “I would not be here if it was not for His hand in my life.”Life has delivered rapid surprises for Jessica Nkosi, especially since she joined Isibaya two years ago. Jessica Nkosi switched from law to drama at university.
Her beauty is undeniable and her charm ever- present, but Jessica Nkosi isn't your average starlet; Liam Joyce spent a day with her and even managed to walk a red carpet at her side.
Sunday Independent