Following her dream will take her across the seas to America, but that does not mean Gqeberha’s Anelisa Mbozi will forget her roots — in fact, she plans to bring all the skills she learns at the New York Film Academy back to Mzansi.
The 23-year-old hopes her journey will empower aspiring artists like her in SA.
Mbozi, who recently moved to Johannesburg, was an extra on SABC1 series uBettina Wethu.
She said that during this time she had auditioned virtually for agents from New York.
Out of these auditions, she received two agency callbacks.
“I first auditioned for The International ARTS Talent Showcase at the [Mandela Bay Theatre Complex] in Gqeberha in April 2019.
“There were 600 models, singers and dancers,” Mbozi, who grew up in Motherwell and later Zwide, said.
She was the winner in the opera category.
“We then went to Johannesburg on September 27 to audition for a chance to represent SA.”
She said now deceased former Bay mayor Mongameli Bobani had helped with her transport to the audition at the Silverstar Casino in Krugersdorp.
“We performed for many agents like Rhavynn Drummer, who is an independent casting director for Tyler Perry Studios.
“American songwriter, music producer, vocal producer and recording artist Nate Butler was the guest performer,” Mbozi said.
“That is where I got my callback to study at the New York Film Academy.”
She said her celebrations at the time were limited because her mother had died during her auditions.
“We were supposed to leave in July this year for New York, but that was disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We are now set to leave in July next year.”
And Mbozi promised to return to SA.
“I intend to return to SA to teach the skills that I will learn at the New York Film Academy to South Africans, because we know that the film academy produces the best directors and producers in the world,” she said.
HeraldLIVE
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.