She plays the ‘it girl’, Fikile Bhele on Blood and Water who took off to Spain for her cross-over scenes in the seventh season of the Spanish series, Elitè.
Khosi currently shooting a new film in Cape Town and was in her trailer while chatting to us about her role in the Netflix series.
In it, Fikile is introduced as a learner from Parkhurst High in Cape Town, South Africa, who came to Spain as part of an exchange programme that gives students from the school an opportunity to go abroad. Khosi tells us what happens after.
“So, Fikile gets to meet Ivan - played by Andre Lamoglia - and he is going through a very hectic time. He lost his father and the transition is not easy on him. She is sort of like can relate to that because she lost her mother.
“That is why she is being friendly by offering a shoulder to cry on for him because she can see that he is really sad and low. Fikile being on Elitè, is basically because she is on an exchange student programme, so she encourages Iván to also do the exchange programme and come to South Africa so that he can just have some fun, let go and find some healing in a way.”
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Khosi tells us being on show was a moment for life. She says, even though it was also daunting at some point and came with a bit of pressure, she did not wish to drop the ball at all.
“When I learned about the crossover - I was excited [because] I got to be in a different country. It was my first time in Spain, Madrid. It was [also] bizarre and exciting to have been selected to go Elite.
“I’ve seen the show myself and it is a fantastic production. I was happy to be on it. It was daunting as well because there was a certain expectation from myself and probably others to represent Blood and Water and South Africa to a certain extent.”
She says she had the time of her life when she first stepped on set because Andre made it so much easier for her.
“He is a sweetheart, he’s like a ball of sunshine. Literally the most fun and inviting person which was really helpful you know being on set where people speak mostly Spanish and he really tried to involve me and open up the circle to me, it was so helpful. We had a lot of fun and I got to know him, he is sweet. We got to have some banter and it was so fun.”
She says to TRUELOVE that what made being in the show more special is the fact that she became the face that represents the African child. “Especially on an international show like Elitè.”
“To be on Elitè, I feel that it is special for me because it shows other young women like me that anything is possible and they can literally dream themselves into any part of the world. I think it was also special because just crossing over territories and different cultures it was just great visibility. It was so refreshing to be in the show.
“What would it mean for my career? I’d only hope that it continues to open more doors so that I can be able to do more work that is impactful and to possibly be on a Spanish show,” she laughs. “So that I can learn Spanish for sure. When I was in Spain, I picked up a bit of Spanish so, yeah, it would be lovely to continue the path that I am on and grow from it.”
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Touching on her character in Blood and Water, she tells us Fikile is going through the most in the fourth season – without giving away too much.
“She is faced with a different challenge and one that no one would expect including herself. So, she is being tested a lot this season in terms of doing what is right again, be it protecting herself, being honest is the same thing. That is all I can say. I think season four has a different energy as well, there are a lot of new faces too and Fikile is just dealing with a lot of traumas from season three and everything that happened previously, losing her mom, being shot, and all of the trauma and drama as of the rest of the cast as it is just teenagers trying to cope with trauma.”
She says that is the fun part of her role because she gets to explore the character, she has been playing for four years now.
“And also trying to find new ways to express and serve her. I enjoy that she is challenging for me even in ways like swimming; this season I did a lot of swimming and there were moments where I felt a bit overwhelmed, but it was fun,” she chuckles before saying, “sometimes it can be physically draining but also very satisfying.”
Khosi reflects on her journey in acting so far saying she's always been passionate about entertainment since she was a child.
“I did a lot of theatre and that is when I fell in love with acting. It felt like an outlet for me at the time - growing up very soft-spoken, reserved and a bit shy. But I found that when I was on stage, I just came out alive and in a way that I felt safe to do whatever I would do in real life but as I have grown and evolved, I now find it as a way to explore my humanness through other humanly things. I am just starting the human experience for me and it has been so enriching.
“Acting for me now, it is not just about being on screen whenever I have a project but it is like observing everyday like and paying extra attention to myself and my inner world and also other people.”
The daughter of seasoned actor Mangaliso Ngema says breaking into the industry was a blessing in disguise for her. She started from the bottom to reach to the top.
“I was an office assistant for my agency back at the time. It was in 2019. Naturally, also signed on as talent. I did a lot of auditions for commercials especially. Blood & Water was my first acting audition. I guess that is the one that I got - and it has been so mind blowing to this day. It was such a huge blessing.
“I am still growing and figuring it out and doing my best to remain grounded and keep on learning. For me, my priority is to remain Khosi and remain authentically myself even if it is not what others do. It has been challenging because of peer pressure and society but I think I have done a good job so far just reaming true to my own voice.”
What she says has been a challenging for her so far is maintaining a clear mindset and not letting anyone outside in and not seeking validation.
“Like on social media, and being comfortable in who I am and my skin, has been a challenge at some point but now I feel like I am in a good pace. Sometimes, being an actress, there are certain expectations that comes with it, be it work, performances, and also aesthetically like how you look and all of that. It shocked my system at some point and was something I had to pay more attention to. As a teen and as a young adult, it was quite a lot to take in. I feel like I have dealt with a lot of things by myself. My challenges so far have been mainly internal.”
She credits sticking to her authentic self and being an individual in what she does – as what got her ahead in the game.
