The Clifton Shores star opens up to us about her new fashion project, life behind the camera and what’s next!

Clifton Shores is a pretty big deal! How does it feel to be a part of a South African first?

It’s very exciting but it’s also very intimidating! Nothing prepares you for a show like this. You want to hit the ground running and you want to be prepared but it’s a totally new experience. You just have to accept that you are exactly where you are supposed to be and that you’ll just go with the process.

Besides the show, what else are you busy with?

I just started a clothing line with a friend of mine – it’s called Gem. I was so frustrated with how expensive shopping is here – you just can’t find a cute top and pay an affordable rate for it. We’ll be launching the business at the end of the month.  I’ll also be getting back into music –I’m starting a band baby!

Back to Clifton Shores – how many episodes have you watched?

I have seen up until episode nine. I think the show looks great so far and it definitely gets better.  It’s so bizarre to see how everything comes together. I think it’s because we shot it quite a while ago and we didn’t always see other scenes being shot without us in it. So to see all that stuff you weren’t aware of – some of its kind of shocking, but it’s also really cool.

Are you happy with the way that you are portrayed?

Ya I’m happy.  I’m sort of like that in real life. I’m not very confrontational and I don’t start drama. I’m kind of like a girl next door type person. Certain things are manipulated and edited around but ya, that’s me.

We have to ask…is the show scripted?

No, there’s never been any script – all the reactions you see are real. They did manipulate us to end up in certain situations, and editing does that as well, but there’s never been any script.

So, if for example, you had an argument with Rikki off camera…wasn’t it weird to have to re-enact that?

It is weird – it’s not a natural situation to have to re-argue with someone. I think it’s difficult if you’re the kind of person who wants to get it out and confront the person. You want to have it out there and then but to have to sit there and boil and wait for the crew to set up lights and mic you…it’s really stressful.

There’s two definite camps in the show – the South African girls and the American girls – did you all really get along?

We went through phases and when we all first met we got on well but then a week later it was more like the South African’s and the Americans.  I felt that I could instantly get on more with Rikki and Raquel because they were more like me. As South Africans we’re not in your face all the time – we don’t run around shouting about our opinions. Americans are very opinionated and they want to get their points across – that’s why they make such great TV. That’s why the show needed those American girls. If it was just a bunch of South African’s we’d all be sitting around a braai and every now and then someone would be like, “Oh why did you say that about me?”,  “I didn’t say that!”,  “Oh no worries then, we’re mates again.”

Are there any particular highlights that stand out for you during filming?

Well there’s a boy who I got to spend some time with and that would be a highlight of mine – I can’t say too much about that though…

Also we got to spend time with My Life charity – it was such a cool experience because I’d always wanted to work with underprivileged kids. It’s a very enriching experience.

In last night’s episode you introduced Brett to the girls – tell us about your relationship with him?

Well I think at this stage, for the sake of the viewers, I can’t say too much. But what I can say is that Brett and I have known each other for a long time – he’s a great guy. We get on very well because we are very like-minded. Brett and I were hanging out so much the December before we started shooting so when shooting began; we just kept on hanging out!

Do you think there’ll be a second season of Clifton Shores?

I hope so! I’ve heard talk about a season two but I don’t know for sure. But I would hope we have one… it’s very much on the cards.

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By Lauren Lee
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