The small screens big talent
BRIXTON – The paper sits down with local actress Eloise Cupido to find out more about her, the industry she has dedicated her life to and what she has been up.
Eloise Cupido has enchanted our TV screens with her unapologetic talent.
The actress sets the scene with the Northcliff Melville Times as she talks about her life within the industry and why acting was always her calling.
A small-town girl, Cupido grew up in Montagu, Western Cape. There she loved being part of the various school plays. After being advised to study acting, she applied to study drama at the University of Pretoria and, as she put it, divine intervention would have it be that this would be the institution to accept her and the rest is history.
The Brixton resident remembers her first role so vividly, “I appeared in an episode of Vetkoekpaleis on SABC 2, and I played Bernadine, the cousin of Sheridon, who came with a snoek and banana vetkoek recipe.” This was 23 years ago.
In the years that followed, Cupido has experienced many memorable moments. In 2011 she hosted the live international broadcast of the Olympic broadcast service where it was announced which country would host the 2018 Winter Olympics. “I did this in French which was absolutely nervewracking and exhilarating.”
In both 2015 and 2019 she worked as a sports commentator for the inaugural and second European Games held in Baku, Azerbaijan and Minsk, Belarus. This broadcasted to more than 140 countries globally. “I have interviewed countless people in the last 22 years and I am extremely grateful for each and every one of them who have woven into the tapestry of my being.”
As great as the industry has been to her, she recognises the challenges within her industry, such as the lack of protection of their work and having the use of their images exploited. “The fact [is] that so few of the viewing public has any idea of some of the conditions under which their entertainment is created and also that they do not really care,” she shared. She added other aspects that provide challenges such as the relentless focus on what one looks like and what she sees as inexplicable lockdown conditions that have devastated an already unprotected industry.
Cupido also debunked some misconceptions about the industry, stating it’s not all glamour and getting sponsored clothes. “Most of us are [our own] the glam squad. I know how to do my own hair and make-up and styling. I often have to do that as budgets do not allow for these elements, particularly on-location shoots.”
Lately, you probably see her on kykNET’s Ontbytsake, a programme that showcases businesses and products from around the country. She also lends her voice to the second season of a radio drama that airs on RSG, playing the character Pearl. Her most prized role, however, must be being a mother to her little boy, “This makes all the fabulous things I have done in my career pale in comparison.”
In all that she does, Cupido hopes to stay true to her heart and soul, “By continually improving and learning new skills that make me worth my price tag. By becoming the best, and keeping the connections alive that fire up my soul and that provide the fuel for my passion.”
Her message to aspirant actresses/actors is to know who you are and what your value system is. “That way, no one can force you to do work or put you in situations that you are ashamed of.”
