The face of Shakira's character
DAWN Matthews, whose role as Shakira on the popular e.tv soapie Scandal involves her in activities that could land her in trouble with the law, says she had wanted to study law as she grew up. There was a remote chance of being an actress.
GREAT CHEMISTRY: Dawn Matthews has immortalised the character of Shakira.
"I was keen on studying law, but always wanted to do something in the arts. I haven't looked back since changing my mind," she said this week. She holds a bachelor of dramatic arts degree from the University of Stellenbosch.
Matthews, who acts the role of Shakira, the villain who will never think twice about killing anyone standing in her way, on Wednesday night did what many of Scandal viewers might have seen coming: she shot Cole, her ex-boyfriend.
But the man, did nor die. This is not the first time that she has inflicted pain on those close to her. She once hired someone to kill her own mother Abigail.
The point is Matthews has immortalised the character of Shakira so intensely it is difficult to talk about her and not see the character written all over her face.
In fact, her face has the character of Shakira etched all over. A woman who often does not smile, and even when she does, it is the sort of smile that seems to be hiding a bigger, notorious and nefarious agenda behind it.
The sort that clearly screams: "Please don't trust me." This is how good she has been able to bring this character to life.
"I enjoy playing the character and I have great chemistry with her. There are no tricks ... the character either works or does not. And I am not solely responsible for this character. There is a whole machine of creators coming up with juicy story ideas," she says.
But then, talking to her it becomes inevitable to want to know what aspects Matthews personally shares with Shakira'scharacter.
"I would like to think not any at all. I look like Shakira and sound like her. It's a character ... if she was anything like me you would find her very boring," she says.
Well it is getting a bit difficult to get her to open up about her possible similarities to this character. Well, I had to try another trick.
Has she at least personally seen the likes of the Shakiras of this world in life?
"Not wrapped up in one individual like Shakira, but yes ... there are women killers, manipulators, crazy individuals out there. We have to get our inspiration from somewhere," she says.
Shakira, excuse me, Matthews, makes a lot of preparations,readying herself for bringing this character before she goes to a shoot, given the fact that this is a hard, complex character to portray, and what with all her shenanigans on the soapie.
"I do put a lot of time in preparing for a storyline. I can't bask. I have to know the material before I get to work. It's only fair to the creative team," she says, before adding that there was no resemblance at all between her and Shakira, with regard to behaviour, and she in no way influences her value judgments.
"Not really ... Shakira is a character and most of the time I think it's healthier to not take things too seriously when it comes to this make-believe world. I take my cues from more real events in life when it comes my world view," she says.
Matthews says the real her is actually a family person, who likes spending as much quality time as possible with those close to her, and these days prefers an intimate space as compared to partying a storm.
"I'm only human. I don't party as much as I used to. Getting older you know ... My husband and I spend most of our time at home or with our close friends. When we have time off we visit our families. Very boring really."
toohot
Jamie Bartlett( David Genaro ) is the best villain on South African Televison.Report Abuse
Lungu
Ppl from Klerksdorp says she is as bad as part of her character in Scandal.Report Abuse
sekhebereshe
this is one woman i still cannot get my head around...does she fall under beautiful women category or what...her looks are confusing..she is got this bush hotintos from the desert coloured look..Report Abuse
bubu552
@Shakira ke Skobonki!............................................................................................gal u never had anything good to say abt any 1 shem wonder how u look like!! but i like u any way!
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Bonkers
Shame, she is always at the Rosebank mall and is now heavily pregnant, I'm sure she will be off the screens very soon....Report Abuse
Blackthought
@toohotI agree....he's brilliant, his performance endorses some elements of stage acting very well.
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