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23 | THE VOICE JUNE 28 - JULY 4, 2012
GUEST OF HONOUR
Ms Dynamite goes back to school
SCREEN SIREN
Rita Ora lands 50 Shades film role
AARON FONTAINE Hollyoaks heartthrob
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DECEMBER 12 - 18, 2013 THE VOICE ! 25
www.voice-online.co.uk/entertainment
UK actor Aaron Fontaine talks to YV’s Dionne Grant about joining the Hollyoaks cast, handling fame and his future
“Y
OU’RE GOING places, only time can hold you back.” These are the prophetic last words Aaron Fontaine’s beloved brother wrote to him before his untimely death in 2008. “I think he would say, ‘it’s your time,’” the UK actor says as he recalls his last conversation with older brother Lewis, who died while playing football with friends, aged just 21. And he was right. Last month it was revealed that the 25-yearold, had landed a breakout role in long-running Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks after years of grafting in theatre and radio. It’s fitting to point out here, that many will remember his voice alongside comedian Richard Blackwood on Choice FM every Sunday, where he coined the moniker ‘The one they call Fontaine’ or, more
famously, the ‘sweet boy’ of radio. He laughs as I recall his earlier musings on air. “I’ve been fortunate enough to work with one of my role models,” he says. “When I was 10 and I decided I wanted to be an actor, it was [US actor] Will Smith and Richard Blackwood who I wanted to emulate. “I just fell into radio when I was 18 and started working with Richard. Even though he’s become like a big brother to me, I don’t let the novelty wear off. It just reminds me that anything is possible. I’m now doing what I’ve always wanted to do, with people who I’ve looked up to backing me. It’s an amazing feeling.” Reprising the role of Sonny Valentine, previously played by actor Devon Anderson, Aaron will hit our TV screens in January next year as the charis-
matic lothario in the fictional village. Having already been dubbed a ‘Hollyoaks heartthrob’ offscreen, Aaron says he worked hard on developing the character of Sonny on-screen. “I watched a couple of [Devon Anderson’s] episodes. He’s a fantastic actor and I’ve worked with him before, but I didn’t want to get too caught up in what he did because he wasn’t in it for a long period of time,” Aaron says on his character development. “Anything distinctive he did with the character that I could work with, I applied to my portrayal so the audience had a point of reference. It was good that I could make it my own.” While reasons for Anderson’s departure remain unclear, it is understood he was axed over alleged timekeeping issues. Rumours aside, Aaron says he was
happy to receive Anderson’s blessing after news of him joining the cast was revealed online. Taking to Twitter, Anderson wrote: "Wanna say a big congratulations to @AaronFonts for signing up to Hollyoaks as the new Sonny Valentine…I have no doubt he's gonna smash it. He added: “He will without a doubt be a very different and a lot better incarnation of the character otherwise he would not have been cast!! Enjoy” “Although we’re friends,” Aaron begins, “he found out before I could tell him so it was kind of awkward a little bit, but when he gave me the blessing, it made it easier.” All too aware of expectations from the soap’s viewers, the young actor says he’s not nervous about stepping into the well-worn shoes of his character after receiving useful advice from his celebrity friends. “[Comedienne and actress] Angie Le Mar and [UK actor] Kwame Kwei-Armah both said to me, ‘don’t try and please the audience, make the audience like you and accept you for who you are.’ “My thing was show them a character and make them accept it. In his life journey of the character, he’s been away for a while, so in that space of time, we’ve constructed his life and what he’s been getting up to and why he’s the way he is now.” Hailing from Luton, via London, did he struggle getting to grips with the
regional accent common to many residents in the Chester village where the soap is set? “No, because the way I’m talking to you now is how the character of Sonny Valentine speaks. It’s just me talking, which is a relief,” he laughs. He explains: “Sonny is brought back to the village because of family ties. He has a niece in the village, she brings him back.” Avid fans of the show will know that’s where his familial links stop. Sonny’s mother died, his sister, played by former Young Voices cover star Natalie Emmanuel, moved to London and his older brother Calvin, the father of his niece, who was murdered. With a larger percentage of black characters joining BBC 1 soap Eastenders, does he think that’s something Hollyoaks may take up over the coming
months? “I think they’re a lot more realistic than other soaps in terms of drama so I do believe there’s definitely a space for black characters,” he says. “Hopefully we’ll see more members of the Valentine family, too” he laughs. When talk moves to the future, Aaron quotes friend and fellow actor Aml Ameen who said in a 2006 interview with Young Voices: “I want to be in Hollywood on the biggest stage in the world.” He adds: “You’ve seen Aml Ameen in [Hollywood blockbuster] The Butler. It just inspires me and reminds me that anything is possible.” Aaron will appear in Hollyoaks in January. For more information, visit www.channel4.com/programmes/hollyoaks or follow @AaronFonts on Twitter
RITA ORA:
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25 BUSTED? F F U B
Dear Kat,
I recently broke up with my boyfriend, but I can’t stop thinking about him. I was the one who decided to call it a day, but now I’m regretting my decision. He has a new girlfriend, but he still texts me and says he misses me. I don’t know if I find him more attractive now because he has a new girl in his life, but I kind of miss him too. What shall I do? Anon
ROUGH COPY:
Hi Anon,
Real talk, you only like your ex because he has ‘moved on’. You didn’t want him when he was available and now, because another woman has taken your place, he’s suddenly looking like Idris Elba. Leave him alone. It’s not fair on him, his new relationship, or his feelings. He obviously still loves you, hence the text messages, but I don’t think you feel the same. So in effect, you’re leading him on until something better comes along. You broke up with him for a reason, don’t get blindsided by thoughts of what could be, when you know how they were – not to your liking! Not everyone that comes into our lives is meant to stay. Be grateful for the time you two had together and move on. There’s someone out there who will make you so happy, but you won’t find him until you let your ex go. Let me know how you get on.
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ASHANTI:
Absolutely st unning. Jammer
LEONA LEWIS
26 ! THE VOICE DECEMBER 12 - 18, 2013
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