Taking on Tiny

Stella Dlangalala talks about her bossy role as Tiny on soapie Gomora, how she got into acting and her social media status.

- CRAIG FALCK

Stella Dlangalala knows how to put on a show- and her latest character Tiny is flexing her muscles on Mzansi Magic (*161) telenovela Gomora (read more on p34). "It's only been a cameo for now. I loved all the feedback I got from viewers. I seems that Tiny and her tribulations resonated with people tuning in, and it makes me feel as an actor that I've done justice to my craft," says the actress, adding that "I'll be happy to go back to Gomora anytime they want me. Tiny is one of my favourite characters and I'd love to gets back into her shoes anytime!"

STELLA IN HER OWN WORDS

How does your latest role Tiny in telenovela Gomora differ from characters you've played in the past? She is a boss lady, and she is an established entrepreneur, and one of the businesses that she owns in Alexander Township is a shisanyama. Tiny returns 10 years after her very messy divorce to rebuild her business that recently got looted. She is a control freak, yet she is soft.

I always play masculine characters like Three20 in telenovela The Wife, and a pantsula dancer in Jiva!. Tiny on the other hand is gentle, and she wears wigs and carries herself in a classy manner, which is intriguing. I remember watching Gomora and praying to be part of the cast and now it has happened, which is refreshing.

When I received the script from the Gomora producers, the character was still in the early days. In one of her first scenes, she walks into a room and she fires someone from their job. She is a no-nonsense kind of woman, and I like portraying that side because I can be like that too. I know how to be tough because I grew up in a house filled with brothers. Tiny's lady-like characteristics are harder to portray, so she takes me out of my comfort zone, which is a great challenge as a performer.