Johannesburg - This week we feature film, voice, and theatre actress Nicole Fortuin.
Her most recent film works include playing lead roles in Flatlandas Natalie Jonkers, in Rageas Tamsyn (Showmax's first original horror film), and Lauryn-Lee Davies in Mnet’s hilarious and endearing Late Bloomer(2022).
Internationally Nicole has played support leads in Disney’s A Cinderella Story, If The Shoe Fits (Georgie Mccall) and Kat Vargas in Dead In The Water Syfy).
On stage, Fortuin has starred in both David Mamet’s critically acclaimed two-hander Oleanna and as the title lead in Janice Honeyman’s annual Sleeping Beauty Pantomime.
In addition, Nicole has worked on numerous local series (Legacy, Agent, Die Spreeus, Dwaalster, Projek Dina, Waterfront, Die Byl 3, Swartwater, Roer Jou Voete, Die Boekklub), soapies (Generations: The Legacy), local and international commercials, web-series and as a voice-artist for SABC.
In 2022 and beyond, audiences can expect to see Fortuin as Angela Abrams in Travis Taute’s highly anticipated action-film Indemnity, Tanya in Sons Of The Sea and Tarryn in Klein Karoo 2.
Other works to look forward to include a return to Blood and Water season 3 and another international feature film which is in post-production.
You are stuck on an island with your fellow cast members of Indemnity. You have to split into teams of two in order to gather food and survive. Which cast member do you choose to team up with and why?
Teams of two!? Okay... Mmmhhh... Probably Jarrid (Theo) as we all can attest J is physically much fitter and probably faster than me (but only just!). He’s also more likely to be able to fight off any wild animals. I’ll do my best to make a fire.
The biggest misconception people have of you is…?
These days I really try not to care too much what people think of me so in all honesty I’m not even sure what people do think… But an actress told me the other day that I “get every part I audition for”… And that is simply not the case!
I’m figuring it all out as I go. There have been many struggles, doubts, rejections and uncertain times. I just try to focus on all there is to be grateful for while simultaneously working towards being the best actor I can be and understanding how best to tell a moving, evocative story.
Your go-to cheat meal is…?
Hahaha…Well firstly “Cheat meal” is not a phrase I use. What do I enjoy that is not always best to consume in large quantities?? Pizza, Hot Cross Buns, and Chocolate!
The meal that most reminds you of your childhood is?
My mom’s spaghetti and bacon recipe. There is a specific way she makes it that is irresistible! I remember coming home from school some nights and smelling the deliciousness from the kitchen. I used to be scolded for taking a fork and eating from the pot! Close second: peanut butter and jam sandwich.
You are only able to shop at one clothing store for the rest of your life. Which store do you choose to shop at?
That depends! Do I have an unlimited budget? If that's the case probably Zara– If not, I'll do what I usually love to do and shop at Never New (a second hand clothing shop in Observatory, Cape Town). I love clothes that are unique, one-of-a-kind gems. I play with how I dress and don’t have one particular style. Vintage clothes are often so well-made and of course environmentally friendly.
The one thing that has grabbed your attention on social media in the last week is…?
Just this week I decided to take a break from social media. Precisely because there is so much information coming at you all at once. The last thing I remember seeing is the possible discovery of another planet? One that may have similar properties to Earth and is now being looked at as an alternative planet for human beings to inhabit? I am not sure if any of it is true (it's the internet after all) so please fact-check it before you tell anyone else about it.
Tell us about the worst date you've ever had?
A little secret… I haven't been on many dates.
How would you like to be remembered?
As someone with integrity, someone kind, someone who enjoyed her life, loved passionately, worked hard, authentic, spontaneous, a creative who made incredible films/series and encouraged others to follow their dreams.
The song that most describes your life right now is?
These are very difficult questions! Sometimes I find solace or validation in every song I listen to. My taste in music is vast and ranges from Leon Bridges to Stray Kids to Ella Fitzgerald to Kenny Rodgers. A song that I listened to last night though (and haven’t heard in a while) is Whitney Houston’s The Greatest Love Of All and these specific lyrics are especially true for where I am in my life right now:
“Learning to love yourself
It is the greatest love of all.“
Which SA actor would you love to work alongside one day?
We have such talented actors in South Africa… It really is not easy to single people out.
Off the top of my head: Lemogang Tsipa, Kim Engelbrecht, Jennifer Steyn, Thuso Mbedu, and of course, my dear friend, Crystal Donna Roberts.