People know her as the annoying “accent-made”, “under-dressed” Diva (Letisha) in the recent release of local movie, The Curse Of Highway Sheila. We’ve managed to catch up with Hena Rubykisoon and find out more about her life and where she’s headed next…
1. If you had to describe yourself in 5 words, what will it be?
“Courageous, ambitious, determined, positive & humble”
2. Talk to us about your family…
“We are a family of 4. My relationship with them individually is very special and unique. My mum is my best friend – I share almost everything with her, she is my pillar of strength as well as my support structure.
My dad ‘had’ a tough love approach as I was entering my teenage years, as time went by he had softened up whereas he had to literally adapt to change and realize his baby girl is an adult now… yes I am the youngest in my family.. My relationship with him is incredible. I love him so much!!
My sister is the eldest we have a 10 year gap between us .we share the same interests, likes & dislikes… I would call us a replica of one another from personality wise to the same zest for life. I have always looked up to her when I was a little girl (adolescent phase)… our relationship blossoms each and every single day… especially when I had just recently relocated to jhb.
We are each another’s support structure; our relationship differs from any ‘normal’ sibling relationship… our famous quote “mess with my sister and I will break your head” hahahaha… In a nut shell my sister is my life and a beautiful role model.”
3. What made you audition for the Curse of Highway Sheila?
“Acting has always and will be my passion for life, when I heard there were auditions for Highway Sheila I told myself let’s try this out. I gave it my best shot with no hopes of getting the role until my director Kumaran Naidu “Mr K” phones me a day before my birthday and congratulates me on getting the lead role in the movie. Working on set with Mr. K was amazing, he is really such a nice man, we have become such great friends over these past few years which is mind blowing. I realized at that time “dreams do become reality” all you have to do is BELIEVE in yourself!”
4. How did you feel when you got the call that you will be playing Letisha?
“I literally started screaming! The feeling was so overwhelming. A sense of relief came from within… “Finally I got my break in this industry”. I have been in the entertainment industry for the past 7 years, other than being a model. I wanted to venture out in all aspects of this industry. ‘Acting was just a dream, I was very intrigued to know that side of the industry. It’s not simple as it looks, it takes a lot of long hours and hard work. Saying goes ‘if you love what you do, you will never feel as if you worked a day in your life.’ An actor has to have that burning desire from within to be the best 1 could be.”
5. In what ways are you and Letisha Similar?
“Letisha has this modern outlook on life, she loves fashion and socializing amongst people. She is bold in her expressions and very street wise. She is a person whom is very hard to please and lastly she lives life on the edge responsibly. Those are the few traits we have in common.”
6. How did people react to your character?
“Hahaha, this is really a funny question – almost everyone I came across loved Letisha and her famous accent which is rather annoying. My fans imitate my character especially the elder folk which is hilarious, most of my fans had told me I was the highlight of the movie. The famous question “Do you speak like that in real life?” hahaha, absolutely not. I found Letishas accent to be rather annoying as well, so I’m quite certain I pulled off the character very well as Letisha is meant to be annoying.”
7. What’s your plans for 2015, where and what can we see Hena getting up to?
“I recently relocated to Johannesburg reason being this is the place where you need to be if you want a career in the entertainment field. I have a lot of business opportunities to expand and broaden the horizons for the ‘job seeking’.
Some of my ventures I will be investing in:
– Clothing brand
– Expanding my Pr agency
– Modeling
– Motivational speaking: which is very close to my heart, my aim is to uplift and inspire people regardless of age basically to awaken their sleeping hero.
I have a lot of movie prospects (an announcement will be made soon). Reality shows Oh yes, I see myself going to Hollywood as well hahahah, my lucky break still awaits me!”
8. Who is your role model and why?
Joseph Murphy – “He has written the book called ‘The power of your subconscious mind.’ I learned how to attain self-confidence, create harmonious relationships, accumulate wealth, overcome fears, and banish bad habits and to achieve well being and happiness as well as to promote physical healing.”
9. What are your views on the current xenophobic attacks?
“The attacks on foreign nationals over the past few weeks are embarrassing and inhumane. We can’t behave like animals; there is no justification whatsoever for the way we are behaving. I’m rather embarrassed, I feel dehumanized even together with the people we are trying to dehumanize. This is dismal and disgusting!”
10. What’s your message to aspiring actors out there?
DO WHAT YOU LOVE DOING, BELIEVE IN YOURSELF, FOCUS ON THE POSITIVES AND TALK ABOUT WHAT YOU WANT AND NOT ABOUT WHAT YOU DON’T WANT. NEVER EVER DOUBT YOURSELF DREAMS DO BECOME REALITY, I’M LIVING PROOF OF IT. EVERYTHING IS A MINDSET – THOUGHTS BECOME THINGS! REMEMBER YOU CAN NOT CHANGE THE WORLD BUT YOU CAN CHANGE THE WAY YOU THINK AND ONCE YOU HAVE DONE THAT, ADAPT TO CHANGE – TAKE A CHANCE AND LIVE YOUR DREAMS!
Fun Facts About Hena Rubykisoon
1. My Celeb Crush Is __
“HRITHIK ROSHAN – I love him!! I love his style – such a fashion icon not forgetting his beautiful face and body, which Is to die for. He has such a positive approach on life, a true go-getter indeed. His talent is phenomenal be it in dancing, acting or public speaking… such a hunk!”
2. A quote you live by?
“Everything does not happen in life for a reason, you attract it to yourself”
3. If you wasn’t an actress, what would you prefer doing?
“I would be full time in the corporate industry, business is my second nature…”
4. Pink or Purple?
“Purple – I have a mixture of everything in my life, nothing remains the same.”
5. One thing you can’t live without.
“My motivational & affirmation books, a specific book changed my life in all departments…In my bag there will always be a certain book with me, it keeps me going mentally and physically!”
To the amazing trend-setter and go-getter… From the DS Team, we hope that you achieve all your dreams and wish you all the best on your future Hena!
