Award-winning actress JANNA RAMOS-VIOLANTE, who is starring as American singer-songwriter Carly Simon in the supper show You're So Vain, now at Hillcrest's Heritage Theatre, talks to us.
What has been the highlight of your year so far?
A trip to Austria with my husband, Macky. In this day and age it is a real privilege to have the opportunity to go overseas and experience other countries.
What is your favourite Durban restaurant, shop, mall and local leisure activity?
I love coffee and salads at Corner Café and Café 1999 is divine (mushroom burger, hello!) and Yossi's is great for parties. Gateway is a great all-rounder mall and I like all shops because I L-O-V-E shopping. Movies are my absolute favourite thing in the world to do (Gateway's Cinema Nouveau has the best popcorn).
The movie you most enjoyed in the past 12 months?
I loved Avatar. I also loved Every Little Step.
What album is currently in your CD player? And what is your most cherished album of all time?
Carly Simon is driving my husband nuts! I don't have a cherished album, but lots of cherished people in my life who sing beautifully.
Favourite kind of meal? And least favourite?
I love anything Italian or made by my mom. I hate bananas, pork sausages and fish that looks alive or tastes like fish smells.
How do you keep fit?
I go to the gym and walk my dogs on the beach.
The three things that make South Africa great?
Different landscapes, braais and the fact that it is home.
What is the word or phrase you most overuse?
Probably "cool" or "divine".
One thing about yourself that you'd love to change?
Oh, gosh, you wouldn't want to hear my sob stories!
How and where did you celebrate your last birthday? And when is your birthday?
My birthday is October 12 and the last one I celebrated in Durban with a medieval banquet.
Dream holiday?
Canada with my husband, please. It would be a dream come true for him. He would go heli-boarding and I would watch from my penthouse suite or designer cabin, while I'm having a hot stone massage by the fireplace. Ahhhh!
If you could be an animal, what would it be?
I definitely don't want to be any kind of animal, even if I could be.
Personalities you most admire and why?
People with masses of integrity, strength, humility, goodness and greatness.
Six things you truly love? And six things you detest?
I love my husband, my family, my friends, my dogs, my job and my life. I detest mean people, flying, hangovers, the music that plays when the TV news starts and ends, portaloos and sea sand mixed with suntan lotion on your skin.
What is the funniest thing that ever happened to you?
A hairdresser cut a mullet into my hair the night before a matric dance I was going to. Luckily, my mom rescued me. It wasn't funny at the time.
Favourite actor, actress, author, singer, band and TV show?
I love a lot - Meryl Streep, Bette Midler, Janis Joplin, So You Think You Can Dance, Rupert Friend, Robin Wright Penn, Roald Dahl, Kate Winslet... the list goes on and on.
Three things you have to do before you die?
Have children, have a career in film, win an Oscar.
What are you reading at the moment?
Othello.
Your three favourite cities?
Durban (home is where the heart is); Salzburg (so beautiful, and full of culture and history); Dublin (great people, great fun and it's gorgeous; so much life there).
Five things about yourself that most people don't know.
My eyes tear up when I do accents; I'm fluent in German; when you're shopping in Spar it's my voice that tells you what delicious baked goods are on special today; I have Chinese blood; and my married name is Srienz.