BACKCHAT

What have been some of your career highlights so far? I have so many moments and memories that make the list, but I think the two achievements that I’m most proud of are my anti-bullying work andbeingcrownedasthe firstfemalecelebrityboxingchampiononthe continent as well as landing the role of Xenia Samuels on one of my favourite daily soaps, Binnelanders.

Binnelanders star, Nicole Bessick is not only an amazing actress, she’s also a boxing champion, an award-winning figure skater and a fitness junkie! We sat down with her to chat about her many accolades and to find out the scoop on her latest role.

Hello Joburg • March 2020 • www.hellojoburg.co.za 64 What was your first big role? I like to joke that I got my ‘big break’ when I played Mary in our nursery school nativity play when I was three years old. I’ve always known that I wanted to pursue a career in entertainment. I have a passion for touching people’s hearts through storytelling. Why is raising awareness around bullying something you’re passionate about? Any anti-bullying initiative is one that is so close to my heart. I was bulliedatschool–literallyeach andeveryday–for12 years. So, as a victim of bullying myself, this cause is one that hits super close to home so raisingawareness andtryingto affectsocialchange aroundantibullying is a must for me.

You featured in Netflix’s Black Mirror and Investigation Discovery’s Killer Instinct. What were those experiences like for you? Those were absolutely incredible. What a learning experience! It’s always great to connect with artists from all corners of the globe.

You’ve recently joined the cast of Binnelanders. Tell us about that journey. After I was sent the character brief and sides, I read them and felt an immediate connection to her. I went in for my audition and felt left feelinglike I’dleftmyhearton the audition room floor. I preparedwelland gave itthe verybestI could. Aweekafterthe call-backs, I was notified that I’d landed the role and the rest is history.

Tell us about your character, Xenia Samuels. She’s afierce, feisty, passionate woman who says whatshe means, and means what she says. As a teenager, she became addicted to drugs and blames her father for all her woes. She now works in a strip club, a world far removed from the conventional Christian home she was raised in. As a ‘functional junky’, she feels that her life is now her own and has no intention of going back to the oppression and judgement she felt at home.

What have been the challenges of playing her? Playing such a daring character is always a bit touch-and-go, but I’ve been absolutely overwhelmed by the response thus far.

Where are your favourite places to visit on a day off? The Fourways Farmers Market and Salsa Sundays at the Canteen in Maboneng are amongst my favourites.

Any shows that you’re binge-watching at the moment? I’m lovingThe Circle on Netflix. #TeamJoeyforthe win!

What’s one thing you want to do more of in 2020? Ahardlesson 2019 taughtme is thatyourlovedones won'tbe around forever, so it’s really important to let those closest to you know exactly what and how much they mean to you. One thing I’m going to do more of in 2020 is love –and love hard. This year, I want to leave people, hearts and places in a better condition than I found them no matter what.

D @nicole_bessick Q @nicole_bessick Compiled by Amber Richardson Images Supplied

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