Whether it’s leading a national conversation about educational equality or raising awareness for child marriages around the world, an increasing number of young women are stepping forward as change agents. One such woman is actress and celebrity boxing champion, Nicole Bessick, who is fast becoming one of the leaders in the crusade against GBV in South Africa.
But don’t underestimate the enormity of the task at hand, with this topic of conversation becoming a worldwide headline for both the right and wrong reasons. Staying on the right side of history and the law, is one thing Nicole Bessick doesn’t shy away from; and with a passion for purpose, she has taken it upon herself to be a voice for others, a speaker to the world, and lead the pack from the front!
Supplied
Over and above her time spent in the boxing ring and intentionally taking on empowering roles on screen, she has joined the fight for gender equality in a more deliberate way. Bessick has proudly launched her NGO, The Fight For Good Foundation, an all-encompassing anti-GBV initiative that takes women from victim to warrior in 12 weeks.
View this post on Instagram
On-screen, Nicole has climbed her way to success, having already made an impressive impact and a name for herself among the country’s most dynamic artists; Nicole has been hailed as one of the “must-watch” actresses of the current decade.
Local audiences will know her best for her work on Skin Deep, The Watcher, SAFTA-award winning soap operas Binnelanders, Is’Phindiselo and Broken Vows, as well as her presenting on The A1 Chat show.
We sat down with Nicole in an exclusive one-on-one interview, catching up on all things career, business and more.
How would you describe your profession?
I’m an actress, TV Presenter and the founder of the anti-GBV NGO, The Fight For Good Foundation.
What are you passionate about the most?
Smashing stereotypes, breaking boundaries and challenging the status quo! That’s what really lights my fire. Whether in my personal life, on screen, or with my NGO, a lot of what I do is centred around challenging the status quo.
Supplied
What does it take to become an Actress in the South African market?
Talent isn’t enough. In fact, out of all the qualities it takes to be an actress, talent checks in quite low-down on that list. You’ll hear ‘no’, more times than you’ll ever hear anything else. It’s in instances like these that attributes such as grit, determination, resilience, perseverance and of course, the X-factor- come into play.
It’s tough… but if you’re willing to put in your 10 000 hours and put your passion and love for art above all else, all of it will pay off.
Talking about the acting scene, which artists have influenced you the most?
I think the actors that have inspired me and have influenced my work the most are the female action stars in modern cinema: Uma Thurman, Angelina Jolie, Rhona Mitra, Milla Jovovich and Cameron Diaz to name a few. There’s a lot to be said about women who can kick your ass and look like a million bucks whilst doing so. I also love that each of these women have done their bit to break the glass ceiling of the entertainment industry and have challenged stereotypes every step of the way.
View this post on Instagram
If you weren’t an actress, what type of career path would you have taken?
Marketing. I have extensive experience in the BTL marketing space.
What is it about acting that you’re so passionate about?
Living a day in “the life of another”. That’s what I enjoy most. Taking that script, digging into it, and building a blueprint of how she thinks, behaves and sees the world. You need to dig into your own imagination and life experience… which can seem daunting at first. But once you find the connection between you and your character, get into her skin, and figure out how you want to present her… it’s thrilling. Then you place her in her world, where she has connections and relationships with other characters (played by my fellow actors)… the process takes on a life of its own. When you have a solid cast and you all get along and collaborate, it’s magic. It really is.
How can an aspiring young girl get into your industry?
Train, train, train! Learn as much as you can so that you can truly understand the art form when it comes to acting methodology, movement, accents and voice work. Always try and diversify your skill set. Talent on its own is simply not enough.
View this post on Instagram
Any practical advice around success for graduates in your industry?
The advice I would give to aspiring actresses that show-business is less about the “show” and more about the “business”. You need to see yourself as an entrepreneur first. The most successful artists have not only mastered their craft in front of the camera…but they’ve mastered the business acumen needed behind the scenes. And that includes:
1. Finding the right management team.
2. Understanding your contracts and being able to negotiate your way through them.
3. Having a good hold on your finances, and saving for the gaps between gigs.
4. Your personal branding and your online presence.
5. How to speak to the press, and most importantly….
6. Be the hardest worker in the room. Show up on time, show up strong, be as prepared as you can and try and find ways to diversify your skillset.
Is there online material or platforms, where people wanting to get into your world of business can get information?
Absolutely! If you don’t have a degree in performance art, there is a wealth of knowledge that can be found online. Have a look at some short courses, online portals and even YouTube videos! There are quite a number of industry professionals sharing invaluable tips and bits of advice online.
Do women in your industry experience a difficult time in terms of career growth?
Absolutely. The gender wage gap is prevalent in every profession. Entertainment is no different.
What have you learned from your NGO that you personally use every day?
The work we do refuels the passion I have to make SA a safer place where women feel entitled to dream, to achieve and to feel safe while doing so.
Nothing beats the feeling you get when you watch the active switch where a woman consciously and intentionally takes back her power. Doing good is the rent you pay for your time on earth… and when I watch that switch happen, knowing that my business had a hand in doing that… it’s a big “rent paid” moment for me. It keeps me fuelled and keeps me motivated.
If you had one money saving tip or money advice to share with your younger self, what would that be?
Invest in a ‘cushion fund’. This is very different from an emergency fund. While the emergency funds will cover unplanned expenses or financial emergencies like medical care, car repair or home repairs; your cushion fund will cover you for times when you are in-between gigs or have had an unexpected income drop.
What book should you recommend for every aspiring young entrepreneur?
The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz.
View this post on Instagram
How do you personally practice self-care?
A lot of first-time leaders say “yes” too frequently: to every request, job brief, interruption, shift in goal posts. Before you know it, you’ve accumulated more work than you can handle. Your calendar fills up, your stress levels increase and you’re well on your way to burn out. Learning to say “no” to things that don’t 100% align with your ultimate goals will keep you focused and fuelled.
How can people stay in touch with you online?
My handles are @nicole_bessick and my NGO’s is @fightforgood_sa
ALSO SEE:
Identity crisis? Here’s how to navigate it, no matter the phase of life you’re in
Feature Image: Supplied
