Angelin Disguise - Why I Don't Use Social Media

The Shorty star swims against the tide

- Marilynn Mclachlan

Ana Scotney is no stranger to diving into uncomfortable situations. The actress, who plays Shortland Street’s Angel Schmidt, is part of a squad that swims in Wellington Harbour at 6.30am.

With temperatures that can plummet to just 10°C and with no wetsuit insight, her chilly hobby has been the perfect training ground for her experience as one of the hospital drama’s most polarising characters.

“It’s taught me mental fortitude,” Ana says laughing, snapping her fingers in the style of her alter ego. “It’s good to push yourself physically and physiologically, and afterwards it makes me feel calm and focused.

“It’s like your capacity gets bigger for the things that you can do.”

It is strength she’s needed because Angel, with her talon nails, red lipstick and attitude that pushes the buttons of both residents of the hospital and fans alike, provoked a social media backlash that was so severe, Ana, 24, was forced offline.

And while she doesn’t want to get into the specifics of things that have been said about her, the Wellington born actress admits they were personal and difficult to deal with.

“It was hard work,” she reveals. “But I took a break from Instagram and then I realised that no social media is actually rad, so I just don’t have it right now. I don’t have Facebook and I don’t have Instagram.”