Actress Angelique Munyange is a name all South Africans should have on their lips. This 25-year-old DRC-born, Cape Town raised talent, is just the latest Mzansi name making her mark in Hollywood, as an actor, writer and producer. The Vibe ZA caught up with her recently to hear more about her time in Los Angles and what she has been working on…
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https://www.alejandrasone.com/ Can you describe what influenced you to pursue a career as an actor?
My time at Parklands College in Cape Town really influenced my want to pursue this career. I got the chance to perform as a member in the drama club and take drama as one of my major classes from Grade 10 to Matric. Watching movies and learning about theatre lit something inside me. The more I understood the motivation for people to create art, it drove me to want to create and participate in it as well. It also is such a great way to explore feelings and situations that I have not and possibly could never be in. It is truly something that pushes you out of your comfort zone. It is also fun! I always imagined what it would be like to be on a movie set and get to do something I enjoyed and when I first did it, it was a million times better than I imagined. - When was your love for the Arts born?
I think there are very few people who have never watched tv or seen a movie or even a commercial. The arts are a huge part of people’s lives, and I enjoyed it as much as the next person; but as I got to perform and learn about the history of the arts and performance it really amazed me how it was a tool used to share the history of the world and connect with the past. It teaches and entertains people through the deepest dramas to the lightest comedies. I love learning and understanding the human experience from different points of views and by being a part of the Arts, it just makes me feel part of something way bigger than me that will hopefully leave a mark on others as well. -
You are also a writer, assistant director, producer and digital imaging technician and Voice Over artist in both English and French. How do you balance everything?
I think that by being a creative, I can see how these different roles lend to each other. The things I’ve learned and picked up from each allows me to add to the other roles. It might sound silly, but when I’m working as one of the roles, I’m fully in the zone in that role. While at my College, we learned how to work in each role and during different shoots, we would help each other to the best of our ability with our understanding of all the different roles on set. After that, while working in more professional settings, you don’t even try to do something in someone else’s department for the most part. There will almost never be a time where you’ll be asked to do something outside of your role. So, when I’m working as a writer, my focus is locked in as that and nothing else, but when it is necessary, I use the skills that I’ve picked up from the other roles. But I balance them by never trying to be everything at once and giving myself fully to the job I’m performing at that time. - What inspires you?
My family and friends inspire me, the remind me why I started doing this. Creatives that look like me inspire me. I can say that there’s a huge difference with projects from when I was going to today. As a black woman, it inspires me to see other black women in roles of leadership, may it be in lead roles on set to show runners, lead editors, cinematographers etc. I am inspired by the women who rise in their roles because it adds even more courage to me and what I am pursuing. -
When did you move to LA and how has the experience been?
I moved to Los Angeles towards the end of 2017. The first thing I felt when I landed was fear. I felt like I made a mistake, it was like I finally understood the decision I made. To move to a new continent where I did not really know a single person. But when I met my roommate and my neighbours before school started, I felt the joy and excitement come back. This experience has been amazing, scary and life changing. I am proud of the person I have become and the things I have done. I miss South Africa a lot and when I visit, I remember how lucky we are to live in a place that has so much natural beauty and people I love. I am happy where I am and at some point, this became my home, and I can’t imagine myself somewhere else. - What are you currently busy with?
With the current strike with The Screen Actors Guild and the Writers Guild of America, things have slowed down in LA, so I’m currently writing a lot and working on my craft, I’m blessed enough to currently have two commercials on air. But until the writers and actors are met with fair contracts, I am more than happy to keep working on the skills that will help me land in the right roles in the future. - What’s your future plans?
I am lucky to work in all the positions that I have and my plan is to sharpen the tools that allow me to work in those positions and keep taking roles and opportunities that challenge me to step outside of my comfort zone. - Any inspirational words?
Focus on being your biggest advocate. Something I had to learn in this industry is you must be your biggest fan and you must really give yourself the love you want to receive. Be your biggest cheerleader. It is obviously a great feeling to receive that external love and validation, but when showing yourself that love will keep you going in difficult times. When you are the one giving yourself the encouragement and support you need, just speaking the words you need out loud will keep making a difference in your life. Doing these things will prepare you for the success and the good things that will come to you. When you work on knowing your worth and value, no external force will ever deter you from your goals or make you feel as though you are not worthy, because you hold that truth inside you. - Any other information I missed that you would like to add?
The one thing I am extremely thankful for is the community of Africans and South Africans I have met while living here. It is one of the things that made this move easier. The interactions I have had, have created some of the longest lasting relationships that I have had to this day. Creating a community and finding people who you get along with makes this transition easier. It makes it even better when the people in your community share so much in common with you. - How have you assisted other SA actors in coming to LA and getting acquainted with the industry?
Since I have been here for so long, I have learned a lot of tips and tricks to get acquainted with the layout of being an actor in Los Angeles, especially as a foreigner. I try to give all the resources that I have found to other SA actors who move here. From headshot photographers to casting websites, I try to provide as much information as I can. I also try to connect as many people to one another as possible because it makes the transition so much better. It is something I love doing because I know learning some of the things, I learned along the way would have made a difference if I learned them when I first moved.
- What’s been some of the highlights for you in LA?
Some of the highlights for me have been the first big job I booked here. It made me feel like I really belonged in Los Angeles. The first time I saw some of the big landmarks, like the Hollywood Sign and Sunset Boulevard, it really solidified the fact that I live here. I am also lucky enough to be part of an organization called women in film which focuses on connecting women in the industry who want to meet and find other talented women to support and hire as well. Thanks to that organization, I have had the chance to attend a lot of events during the Emmy consideration season, such as the deadline contenders’ event which is hosted by Deadline magazine and invites everyone from shows that could be nominated. At that event I met a lot of people from shows I loved like Jason Bateman from Ozark or Natasha Lyonne from Orange is the New Black and Russian Doll. At these private events, I meet interesting people and learn a lot about shows I love.
