Angelique’s Oscar hopes a step closer
The next South African actress to accept an Oscar in front of the world could be a Toti local.
Seventeen-year-old Athlone Park actress, model and singer, Angelique Janssen made it through to the the Summer Heat Model and Talent Search finals at Montecasino in Johannesburg on 18 and 19 October and was selected as one of the South Africans to strut her stuff at the International Arts Talent Showcase in front of over 100 scouts representing the world’s top talent agencies in Orlando, US in June 2014.
“The Summer Heat finals took place over two nights,” said Angelique. “The first night was acting and singing, and the second dancing and modelling.” The Kuswag grade 11 pupil participated in drama, where she did a one-minute comedy monologue, and modelling. “It was not a competition, more a showcase. The judges contacted us after the show to inform us if we had been selected to go to Orlando. I was in my pyjamas when I received the call late at night and I ran out in the rain to tell my parents. I was very excited.”
Only 400 participants worldwide were selected. Besides Orlando, they will also visit New York and Los Angeles for workshops and auditions, and tour the New York Film Academy. “There are $10,000 bursaries up for grabs and I’ve heard the talent scouts are very interested in South Africans, as we are seen as undiscovered.”
If Angelique is signed next year, she will first have to complete her matric before heading off to the bright lights of LA. “I’ve been interested in acting since I can remember. I always said I will win an Oscar one day.”
Angelique has been selected as a school prefect next year. She is a straight A pupil and has been one of the best Afrikaans and English speakers in her school for the past six years. She is the spokesman for Childline’s anti-bullying campaign, a Christian youth leader at school and chief editor of her school magazine. She received the trophy for cultural leader of her grade since 2010 and shared the trophy for the best act in the latest school play. She was crowned first princess at the Miss SA Youth pageant this year.
“I would like to thank the following people for their support: LeMari Smit of Upstage Models, Rising Star Performing Arts, the Summer Heat Model and Talent Search for opening doors for me, photographers, Vernondo Boshoff and Louis Douglas, CEO of Just You Model and Artist Management, Kim Myers, my parents and my sister Simone.
Although the Summer Heat organisers do some fundraising on behalf of the participants, Angelique still has to raise funds. “I will do bake sales, dance shows and even collection tins. I’m willing to do anything to realise my dream. I’m very excited to fundraise. I think of it as part of the journey.”
