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24 | THE VOICE JUNE 28 - JULY 4, 2012
GAME CHANGER
Beyoncé’s surprise album tops charts
GOLDEN BOY
Idris Elba up for top award
VENUS RISING Letitia Hector
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DECEMBER 19, 2013 - JANUARY 1, 2014 THE VOICE ! 25
Venus Vs Mars actress Letitia Hector talks to YV’s Dionne Grant about landing the career-changing role, award nominations and love in the spotlight
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HE PLAYS the unlucky in love title character in popular web series Venus Vs Mars, but UK actress Letitia Hector says she “couldn’t be happier� with real life at the moment. Her portrayal of the hapless romantic on a quest to find Mr Right has earned the rising star a ‘Best Actress’ nomination at the Screen Nation Digital-iS Media Awards, opened doors in the entertainment world and also helped her find real-life romance with top UK artist Funny Tummy. “Life is good,� she laughs when I mention her relationship with the contemporary creative, famed for his unique artwork and celebrity clientele. “I’m happy to talk about [my
relationship]. If you’re happy about something you don’t mind talking about it, you want everyone to know - within reason,� she quickly adds. Hector met Funny Tummy, a fan of the online show - now in its second series - at an album launch. He told the actress that he had admired her work from a distance and confided in a mutual friend about his interest. “That mutual friend didn’t really do the job,� she laughs. But it was this chance meetin which started her on a path of happiness far removed from her much-loved character. “There are other aspects about the character of Venus that are similar to me, though,� she says. Just like her character, Hector also works in accounting full-
time while juggling the demands of acting work – a passion of hers since she was six years old. “I’m really theatre-based so I’ve done a lot of amateur shows and musical theatre stuff, that’s what I studied in college and university,â€? the 25year-old, originally from High Wycombe, says. “I used to go to stage school, probably from about six-years-old. When I did Venus Vs Mars that was the first sort of filming work I’ve done.â€? Prior to landing the careerchanging role in the web series, which averages 60,000 views per episode, Hector, a “massive fanâ€? of BeyoncĂŠ and UK singer Jessie J, had firmly set her sights on a career in music.
“If I met someone about seven years ago and they asked what I wanted to do, I would say ‘singing. I’m going to sing or I’m going to do back-up singing. I just want to sing,’� she laughs. “Then I did Venus v Mars and thought, ‘Ok, I’m going to take my acting more seriously now’. It’s like singing has been pushed aside, but my whole love is musical theatre. If someone gave me a musical theatre job tomorrow, I’m happy for the rest of my life, that’s my love.� With her inspiration in film levelled at the door of Hollywood actor Will Smith, Hector says she hopes to one day emulate the all-round success of the Men In Black star. “You’ve just got to respect his journey,� she says. “It’s nice when you’re growing up to see someone at a particular level and you see them 20 years later and they’re still in the game, doing what they love. “I would love for people to start with me on my journey and then 20 years later, they see the growth in me and in my talent and humanitarianism.� Recently landing a regular slot on community radio Bang FM every Saturday, Hector is keen on expanding her empire in 2014. “My goal is to have no limit. I don’t want to place a limit on what I’m capable of. I just want to be focused with a good set
of people around me that will help me push that. What’s bad is if you have a vision, your agent has a vision and you’re not on the same page because nothing is going to happen. The sky is not the limit and I definitely see myself there.� And what does she feel about the future of web series, which has been integral in launching some of the careers of many UK stars – more recently her Venus Vs Mars costar Aaron Fontaine, who landed a role in Channel 4 series Hollyoaks? “I think the rise of the web series has been great. It’s good to see everyone moving with the times. The internet is here so you have to move with technology. That’s what technology is bringing. I don’t go
BEYONCÉ:
The US singer landed a UK top 5 just 48 hours after the surprise release of her self-titled album
home and watch television, that’s not what I do. At the moment, the internet is easily accessible, everyone has access to it and once you’ve got the equipment, you upload your stuff. “There are not enough mainstream platforms to push young black talent in this country, but there is enough talent to push for those platforms. [Web series] All About The McKenzies just got commissioned for the Evening Standard’s channel called London Life. Hopefully Venus Vs Mars will get pushed in that direction too! We’re dedicated.� Venus Vs Mars returns for a second series next year. For more information, follow @LetitiaHector and @FollowVenus on Twitter
IDRIS ELBA: The UK actor picked up a ‘‘Best Actor’’ nomination at the upcoming Golden Globe awards for his role as anti-apartheid hero Nelson Mandela
BUFF OR BUSTED? Dear Kat, I’ve recently stopped talking to a friend of mine because she was spreading hurtful comments about my relationship in my area. The thing is I really miss her. Crazy, right? She went around telling people that my boyfriend was gay and that she’d seen him kiss another man and that he was only with me because he wanted to get close to my brother. A trustworthy source told me about the stuff that she had been saying and I confronted her about it. She lied to my face and said that my ‘source’ was trying to start drama. We went from talking everyday to not talking for over two months. I don’t know what to do. Anon
Hi Anon, You’re not crazy! We spend a lifetime building good friendships, so when they go down the pan, we mourn them – and rightfully so! What your friend did was wrong, there’s no doubt about it, but it might be worth trying to get down to the root of why she may have started such a vicious rumour. That’s if you think the relationship is worth saving. Maybe she was jealous that your partner was taking you away from her, or something in that vein. Have a ‘real talk’ moment with her and see what comes out of it. It will help you make a decision on where you go next with it.
KANYE WEST:
The US rapper slammed Grammy officials for snubbing his Yeezus album in last week’’s nominations.
BUSTED
BUFF
R KELLY:
The US singer’’s controversial past came back to haunt him when a Twitter Q&A went horribly wrong
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Looking smart, not keen on the pin stripe though
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Glamourous!
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26 ! THE VOICE DECEMBER 19, 2013 - JANUARY 1, 2014
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