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EPISODE 552 | Brenda Ngxoli On Awards, Dating, Unemployment, Couch Casting Ferguson Films,Motherhood

MacG・72 minutes read

Brenda, a South African actress and model, reflected on her career, farming venture, reputation, family relationships, and religious journey in a comprehensive interview, addressing challenges in the entertainment industry and personal life. She aims to transition into producing, emphasizing her aspirations as a mother and professional, despite facing various obstacles throughout her journey.

Insights

Brenda faced significant challenges in her career, including conflicts on set, accusations of being difficult, and being fired from shows, which she attributed to her dedication to her craft and refusal to compromise on certain aspects.
Despite these challenges, Brenda is determined to succeed as a producer, aiming to leave a lasting legacy as an exceptional mother, actress, and brand ambassador, showcasing her resilience and commitment to her goals.

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Recent questions

Who is Brenda?
An actress, model, dancer, and director from South Africa.
What prompted Brenda's break from acting?
Desire to start farming in the Eastern Cape.
What challenges did Brenda face in the entertainment industry?
Struggles with industry expectations and conflicts on set.
What is Brenda's current career focus?
Preparing for a show on a streaming channel.
What are Brenda's personal aspirations?
To be remembered as an exceptional mother and actress.

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Summary

00:00

Brenda: Actress, Farmer, Emmy Nominee, Identity Journey

Brenda, a South African actress, model, dancer, and director, was born on July 3, 1981.
She is renowned for her roles in TV series like "Top La," "Hustle," and "Home Affairs," where she played Vuyo and received an international Emmy nomination.
Brenda attended the Emmy awards in 2013, where she met Robert Deniro and participated in workshops run by Nicole Kidman's acting coach, Susan Banson.
Despite not winning an Emmy, Brenda was in the top four globally, a significant achievement for her career.
In 2013, Brenda took a seven-year break from acting to start farming in the Eastern Cape after a trip to Germany and Austria.
She contemplated her identity and the desire to have a black child, leading her to leave Johannesburg for the Eastern Cape.
Brenda's daughter, Daniela, was named after her grandfather, Nathaniel, and Winnie Mandela, reflecting her love for African languages.
Brenda's farming venture involved tending to a homestead with pigs and sheep, learning farming techniques from YouTube.
The current status of Brenda's farm is uncertain, as her mother may have sold some animals in her absence.
Brenda's decision to leave the Eastern Cape was influenced by potential conflicts and her preference for solitude during interviews and interactions.

21:35

Actress discusses career challenges and controversies

The interviewee took the interview due to feeling misrepresented in stories about her, with the narrative growing beyond her control.
She revealed strained relationships with her mother and sister, a topic she usually avoids discussing.
Misleading stories about her exits from shows, like "My Perfect Wedding," were addressed, citing security concerns and contract issues.
Despite being fired from shows like "RGB," she returned for guest appearances, emphasizing her dedication to her work.
Another firing incident occurred on "My Perfect Family" due to a disagreement over a voice-over job, leading to her termination.
The interviewee acknowledged her reputation for being difficult, attributing it to her dedication to her craft and refusal to compromise on certain aspects.
She mentioned being accused of being primitive and losing roles due to her refusal to conform to certain expectations.
The interviewee reflected on her serious approach to acting, which may have alienated some people in the industry.
Her tendency to improvise and portray characters with tragic flaws has led to audience appreciation but industry alienation.
Instances of conflicts on set, like with a co-star on a show, resulted in negative feedback and rumors about her behavior.

41:27

Navigating Challenges in the Entertainment Industry

The speaker discusses the challenges they face in the industry, mentioning a culture of joking around but expressing a lack of energy for it.
They highlight the difficulties of dealing with crew members who prioritize going home over working overtime.
The speaker addresses their absence from TV screens, attributing it to personal choice and raising a child.
They recount instances of standing up for themselves, such as refusing to work with certain makeup artists and wardrobe departments.
The speaker praises the professionalism of crew members on certain productions like "The River" and "The Queen."
They discuss their preference for one-take performances and the challenges of being labeled as difficult to work with.
The speaker shares experiences of wardrobe malfunctions, including receiving undergarments with another actor's name on them.
They express embarrassment over raising issues with wardrobe departments and suggest that mistakes made by staff may reflect poorly on the production head.
The speaker emphasizes the importance of professionalism in the industry and the impact of younger actors on set dynamics.
They caution against playing games on set and advise against giving special treatment to younger actors.

01:00:18

Challenges of Love, Racism, and Spirituality

The speaker questions the authenticity of people's love for someone due to negative behavior towards them.
Mention of challenges faced by the speaker, including wearing old shoes as an actor.
Reference to micromanagement by a prominent figure, Connie Ferguson.
The speaker defends their professionalism and legacy in the industry.
Incidents of racism and mistreatment on set, including racial slurs and inappropriate behavior.
Lack of support or apology from colleagues for mistreatment.
Financial struggles and legal battles due to mistreatment on set.
The speaker's involvement in African spirituality and regrets about prioritizing it over their career.
Personal sacrifices made for family and changing priorities.
Advocacy for the exploration of African spirituality by all individuals, regardless of background.

01:19:32

Embracing Unity: Journey Through Religions and Challenges

The speaker discusses the importance of open doors in spirituality, rejecting the idea of gatekeepers.
They mention transitioning from being a San to embracing Christianity, questioning the need to replace one belief system with another.
The speaker reflects on their journey through different religions, including Islam, before settling on Christianity and motherhood.
They emphasize the search for manuals in various religions to navigate life peacefully.
The speaker advocates for peaceful coexistence among all religions, promoting a religion of love.
They express reluctance to denounce African spirituality, valuing the knowledge gained from that belief system.
The speaker calls for unity among religions and suggests creating a new religion combining elements from various faiths.
They discuss personal experiences with African spirituality, highlighting its uniqueness and lack of documentation.
The speaker reflects on their decision to leave African spirituality for Christianity and motherhood, emphasizing the humbling effect of the journey.
They touch on personal and professional challenges faced, including disputes with family and payment issues in the entertainment industry.

01:40:05

Brenda: Aspiring Producer, Mother, Actress, Ambassador

Brenda is currently in pre-production for a show on a streaming channel, aiming to become a successful producer in the future.
She aspires to be remembered as an exceptional mother, actress, brand ambassador, and eventually a producer of her own projects.
Brenda discusses her shock at having a child at an older age, her health, and her preference for younger men due to their vitality and avoidance of health issues.

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