From the big screen to the red carpet and now the kitchen! Terry Pheto tells us what it’s like to be an icon making moves all around the world while still having enough time to prepare a home cooked Sunday lunch. Terry shows us her eat, pray. We love it.
When asked about her positivity early on a Monday morning her reply, very casually, “insert coffee” as she giggles everyone into a state of awe. Terry oozes sophistication and it’s evident in the way she dresses, walks and most importantly the way she treats everyone she interacts with. Her humble nature and positive outlook makes her easy to laugh with.
To be honest I felt like I had known her my whole life and I was more than a little bummed she didn’t invite me to brunch. “I’m very fortunate that I get to do what I love and I get to travel and see the world, but this (South Africa) will always be home” We had a quick Q&A with Terry and I must say judging from the answers she might just be my life goals…
Question: Favourite city to visit?
Answers: I take every experience as being very unique (and) as much as I love being on the streets of Paris having hot chocolate and just watching people walk, I (also) love the
energy that New York has; having Starbucks coffee, walking the streets and taking the subway. It’s completely different from Paris, as much as I love the chaos and the energy that you find when you go to Mumbai.
Question: In Google searches for your name “Terry Pheto – inspirational” appears in related searches. What would u replace it with: Terry Pheto – nudes – Oscar – movies – legend?
Answers: I’ll actually do you one better, I’ll say: “Terry Pheto – driven”. I mean it’s flattering and humbling to know that you inspire people, but I think what drives me is knowing
that there are people that look up to me. What drives me is knowing that we have a need for positive role models for young South African sisters. What drives me is knowing we have so much potential and talent. The world is our oyster!
Question: How do you handle the expectations that come with being Terry?
Answers: If you try and live up to people’s expectations you will probably miss the goal, you will miss the point. I believe that if you are true to yourself and honest with yourself
you will stay in your lane and follow your own path. What I expect from myself is the only thing I want to live up to. If people expect me to be something else it can be
positive or it can be negative; but in the end your only competition is yourself and the only person standing between you and greatness is yourself! If you depend on someone else to tell you who or what you should be, what if they decide that’s enough? So I try not to be effected by what’s around me, but instead to be inspired. I take what I need to take (from situations) and I let certain things go.
“I want to live my life as honest as possible, where I don’t have to answer to anyone and I think that’s the key to happiness”
Question: How did it feel to be one of the jurors for the Emmy’s and how was it different to being on set or behind the camera?
Answers: It was a great honour! Being exposed to global talent and the shows that we never get to see; to see how much talent is out there it’s quite inspiring and (getting) that recognition was humbling. To know that the world is watching and they respect my opinion. Attending the awards, seeing so many amazing actors and to know that I’m part of that community is quite exciting. It has opened my eyes and gave me confidence (which I didn’t even know I didn’t have) to say: “my opinion matters and anything is possible”.
Question: How do you choose the roles you play?
Answers: Our industry is growing, but there are limited options. It’s not like in Hollywood where you have multiple scripts offered to you every week. So if you find a good role its always such a nice gift to be able to pick the role you want to play. I’ve tried to structure my career in a manner that gives me a comfortable life so that I can pick the roles I want to do. I look for characters that inspire me and challenge me. Characters outside my comfort zone that are vulnerable yet very strong.
Question: Do you think the South African movie industry needs more movies like Tsotsi to be successful?
Answers: I think we have a country that is so diverse and rich with history and the possibilities are there, we have stories to tell and every story is important. Now that the industry is growing the genre of films being made is changing and we have more films about love, which is a side that the world hasn’t seen. I think we need to tell every story. A story that is important is a story that has been told; as long as it is told well, with honesty, great performance and conviction. There is a hunger for South African content, so we need to deliver content.
Question: Can you tell us something spicy about yourself?
Answers: Well I just cooked like a kick ass meal this Sunday and it was very spicy! (She laughs and says “well you wanted spicy, I gave you something spicy”) Apart from being a great cook (as she says) Terry is also busy promoting her movie Ayanda which is currently screening abroad. With brains, beauty, talent and a humble soul its clear to see why Terry Pheto is loved the world over.
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