Romy's sweet deal 'A CAKE STARTED IT ALL!'

The actor reveals her special connection with the Weekly

- Elisabeth Easther

If actor Romy Hooper looks familiar, it’s because she’s been appearing on our screens, and on stage, for the past 15 years.

“My first professional job out of drama school, I played a patient on Shortland Street without even auditioning,” says Romy, 36, of her big break. “But my real debut was on Nothing Trivial.

“For three years, I played Courtney and I did that audition while stuffing a lamington into my mouth. It was a risky move, but the casting director was sold.”

Since then, Romy’s appeared in The Brokenwood Mysteries, The Panthers, Creamerie and Sweet Tooth. She’s also been cast in numerous ads, including playing the mum in The Warehouse’s singing and dancing Mambo No. 5 (A Little Bit of...) campaign last Christmas.

“Ads can be a real treasure for actors,” she laughs.

“The number of takes we had to do to nail that shoot – between the musical timing, the kids, the dog and the lyrics. I used to love Lou Bega, but I wouldn’t mind if I never heard that song again!”

But being an actor isn’t all fun and games, and rather than wait to be offered roles, Romy ensures she has lots of things on the go.