Vanessa Haywood: Our next Charlize?

ulti-talented beauty Vanessa Haywood has done it all: from modelling around the world, hosting television shows, to starring in South Africa’s most lucrative science-fiction blockbuster, District 9.

Her biggest break was undoubtedly the Academy Award-nominated District 9, in which she played the lead actress with distinction. The movie was seen as a “sleeper hit” due to the relatively unknown cast and offbeat appeal – ending up grossing US$210 816 205 at the box office worldwide, with a production cost of only US$30 million.

Haywood grew up far away from the hustle and bustle of movie sets, spending most of her formative years in the solace of nature on her family’s farm in Mpumalanga. It was there that she forged a strong bond with the great outdoors, which held her in good stead for her exploits on wildlife documentaries, and later flying through the bush on her favourite mountain bike after a hard day on location.

Haywood told Leadership: “I think it’s made me exactly who I am. I really hope to give my kids the same upbringing one day because it’s far more sheltered.

“I grew up extremely naïve, which in some respects is a disadvantage, but in my case, it was maybe a good thing. Growing up surrounded by nature, animals and beautiful things definitely grounds you a whole lot more.”

Her mother encouraged her to enter beauty contests as a teenager, in an attempt to pry open her extremely shy demeanour. The sultry blonde got into her stride in no time, and was cleaning up at the local pageants, while increasing in confidence during the process.

The next step for any aspiring beauty queen is the Miss South Africa contest.

She remembers, “I won a couple of pageants and Miss South Africa was the ultimate one, and my family said to me, ‘Why don’t you enter it?’ and I laughed and said, ‘What? Why should I do such a thing? I will never get in. It’s stupid.’

“But I entered and was a finalist, which was a mind-blowing experience, but it definitely was the beginning of everything.

“It’s weeks and weeks of being in the public eye and you learn to deal with the media and also how to behave: your poise.

“Modelling agency, Ice Models, discovered me there and I’d always wanted to get involved in modelling, but was trying to get my education out of the way first,” Haywood adds.

She had a short stint at studying Chiropractic Medicine in Durban but, due to unrest on campus that year, opted to study Marketing and Business Management instead – graduating in 2001.

Blossoming career

Haywood would only start utilising her marketing degree later in life, for the big money was starting to roll in for exclusive modelling shoots abroad, as she spread her wings across the chic hot spots of the world. Costa Rico, Cocos Island, The Canary Islands, Sardinia, Thailand, the Bahamas and Mauritius became her playground after a gruelling day in front of the camera.

Her successful modelling career started opening new doors for television, and later movie roles.

Haywood reflects, “Not many models actually even want to go into television or films, but 99% of models are relatively good actresses or actors because of the TV commercials that we inevitably end up doing.

As a model, you have to have your own little actress or actor. That’s where it all begins. Sitting in front of the camera doing stills: whether you’re doing it for a catalogue or an advertorial or a big campaign – you’re acting.

“The transition, inadvertently, should involve some sort of education. I studied Drama, but used to think that you were either a good actor or you’re not, and you don’t really need to study.

“However, after studying drama, I discovered that I was actually very wrong and that acting classes are vitally important, specifically if you want to be really good at what you do.

“So it’s definitely a tough transition because the acting agents don’t necessarily take models very seriously. I don’t know why because many models can act,” she says.

Haywood’s television career began with presenting roles on Top Billing (SABC 3), AgriTV (SABC 1) and Wildlife Video Cast (Asia).

District 9

It was not plain sailing landing the role on District 9, and Haywood had to go through numerous castings and call-backs. She recalls: “I certainly didn’t know anybody, which is the way things work in this industry: it’s not what you know, it’s who you know.

“My agent sent me for the audition, and I had a couple of call-backs. It was all very stressful because it was one after another after another, and somewhat all dragged out.

“Eventually, I was lying in bed one morning and my agent called me. I think she was just as excited to let me know and said, ‘Hi, I’m speaking to the new lead actress of District 9’,” says Haywood.

“At that stage, I knew that we’d be working with Sir Peter Jackson, and for that I was pretty excited from the word go.”

Jackson, who is well known for producing and directing smash hits such as Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, was not on set full-time due to another production, but still delivered daily insights to the cast in his capacity as producer.

“He was on conference call with us every single day and giving his input, which was awesome. So I’d like to actually work with him directly one day.

“I’m trying to see if I can wiggle my way into The Hobbit but, unfortunately, there are no roles for tall blondes,” jokes Haywood.

Critical acclaim

District 9 received critical acclaim from movie writers for its gritty look at issues of xenophobia and racism, which come through under the guise of a science-fiction picture.

Shot in the ramshackle township of Kliptown in Soweto, conditions were often hectic and very dirty.

Haywood reflects, “It was heartbreaking because you realise, even growing up in South Africa around poverty and shacks in townships, you’re never in the middle of one of those townships every single day – surrounded by the poor people. It’s incredibly heartbreaking because they have nothing and you’re trying to get this movie done and put on a good performance.”

But it was obviously not all doom and gloom on set, as the former model continued to expand her repertoire as an actress, picking up some vital lessons along the way.

“Neill Blomkamp is a phenomenal director.

“I really hope that he goes from strength to strength because he’s definitely the next Steven Spielberg. He really is very easy to work with, very open-minded and quite happy to let you do your own thing; and if he’s not happy with it, he’ll just lead you in the right direction,” says Haywood.

“For me, a defining moment was watching the pre-screening a week before the premiere in a big movie house at Ster-Kinekor’s offices in Johannesburg. There must have been about five of us in this big movie house and we watched the whole movie; not too sure what to think, or what to absorb.

“But when my name, and only my name, appeared right across the screen, it was really emotional and makes you think of all the hard work you’ve put in. It was an incredibly proud moment and definitely not boastful,” she says.

District 9 has plenty of violent scenes that may be disturbing to younger viewers, but Haywood believes that you can get away with that under the guise of a sci-fi movie.

“I think it was a good balance. I absolutely hate violence, but it’s science fiction. It’s not real. I think if it was, for example, a movie like Schindler’s List, which is based on a true story, it would really freak me out.”

So the million-dollar question is whether a sequel is in the mix for this Hollywood blockbuster.

Haywood confides, “No one really knows about the sequel. There’s word of it out there, but I haven’t been given any final go-ahead yet.

“It’s a big challenge for Neill to be able to create something that is as good, or better, than the first one. I really don’t think he wants to right now, and sequels in general in Hollywood are known to be shocking.

“Having said that, it would be awesome to work on a sequel, it really would. I just tell them that if they did, I need to shoot more things. I want to shoot some guns in the sequel!” she says.

And who would argue with this blonde bombshell packing heat?

Charlize Theron comparison

Haywood is undoubtedly making her mark as South Africa’s best actress not to relocate closer to Los Angeles, and insists she is a different kettle of fish to our biggest export, Charlize Theron. “I’m a completely different person and also don’t want to be living in LA. South Africa is my home. I would much rather be here making films; and if I’m required to leave, I can go for a couple of weeks at a time, but this is home.

“I can definitely take my hat off to her. I think she’s done incredibly well and is a phenomenal actress – especially having seen her in Monster.

“She literally turned herself into a revolting monster and portrayed the character so well.

“She was nuts – you could see it in her eyes, and was absolutely fantastic. She deserved that Oscar big time,” adds Haywood.

But it is not all movies for Haywood these days. This go-getter is a fitness fanatic, and loves nothing better than a gruelling ride on her beloved KTM mountain bike or a run with world champion trail-running boyfriend, Ryan Sandes.

A fast learner both on and off the stage, Haywood placed fourth in her first big event, the internationally acclaimed Miss Fitness; and was subsequently featured in Muscle Evolution and Fitness magazines.

“I started competing in sport when I was four years old, with horse riding and swimming, and then moved into athletics as a sprinter. I think it’s just in my blood. I don’t know why because my mom and dad aren’t very sporty, so I don’t really know where it came from. But if I don’t train every day, I get really, really grumpy,” she says.

“It’s now becoming more important because I’ve been able to help charities in the process, which makes what I do even more meaningful.”

As you can imagine, having Sandes as your running partner has its advantages. Haywood concludes, “It’s so awesome to have someone in my life who is so unbelievably driven and so successful at what he does, which really does motivate me.” ▲

Gregory Simpson