Mega hunk Maurice Paige is just as hot as a dancer as he is a talented actor.
The former Isidingo actor features in a new local dance film called Pop Lock n Roll.
The film won an Award of Excellence at the 7th IndieFEST Film Awards.
More than 50 professional dancers feature, including top dance crews from around the country. With eight choreographers on board, hip-hop music and dance in all its local variations are the foundation on which the film is built.
Some of the dance styles include crumping, voguing, popping, locking, pantsula and breakdancing.
This lead role has shown how diverse Paige really is.
It tells the story of a Westbury hip-hop dancer who grew up poor and believes that money is everything. He gets a lucky break and rises as a professional entertainer.
However, when he falls in love with the beautiful Brazilian wife of the gangster-cum-producer he'll have to risk it all to find true happiness.
He says his character, called Raps, has a thick skin because of where he is from. Westbury is known for it's gangs and high crime levels.
Raps is very strong-willed but at times he is arrogant and that gets him into trouble.
The film, which was shot on location in Westbury and central Joburg, took five years to make and according to writer and director, Ziggy Hofmeyer, choosing Paige as the lead was a no-brainer.
Says Paige of the role: "It has given me a new platform of performance. It has also helped me see the importance of fatherhood, as in the film I have a son. It's made me somewhat responsible for the youth."
"As a young man myself I want to keep them safe and ensure they are not taken for granted and look after their needs," he says.
Raised by his great-grandmother and growing up on the platteland of Heidelberg, as well as the Cape Flats, Paige says the film is very much like his own life. He learnt to dance in high school. There were always crews of hip-hop dancers and breakdancers.
"After school we would always have battles. When Ziggy approached me it was 10 years since I last participated. But because I had a background in dance I was able to get back into it quickly. For three months I would train for eight to 10 hours everyday," says Paige.
"I have been committed to this project for two years because from the moment I saw the script I knew it was an incredible opportunity for me to showcase my versatility. This film is really going to reflect SA's dance talent," he says.
Best known for his character Calvin in the hit soapie Isidingo, Paige has definitely come a long way.
After being on the soapie for the past 11 years, he has also recently taken on a new role in the Afrikaans drama Suidooster on kykNet. Here he plays the role of hustler, Tyron Daniels.
The 35-year-old describes what he does as a risk.
"Being in this industry gives me an adrenalin rush, you have to constantly be on your toes because you never know what will happen next," he says.
He tells us that he never really intended on being in the acting industry.
"Primary school, in standard five. I was always the Funny guy. The drama club were having a performance and one actor fell sick, they needed someone to fill the spot and the teachers approached me. They kinda forced me into it but eventually I gave in. I learnt my lines a week before the show and won an award for the best supporting actor," he says.
His professional career started as a cameraman at ON!TV. His first TV appearance was in an Engen 1-Stop commercial.
"The one thing I dislike has to be how pretentious it tends to get. But I try to stay grounded. I have learnt not to let anything have an impact on my family and personal life. I strive for good balance so I can still enjoy my own life and remember that I'm human," says Paige.
His future goal is acting in Hollywood as a comedic action hero and also as a multi-camera director.
This gorgeous man is also an award winning sportsman.
In July last year he won the fitness physique division of the South African leg of Muscle Mulisha Grand Prix body building competition, which was held in Kyalami.
"If it wasn't for acting I would have been in the sports industry, specifically playing rugby."
Pop Lock n Roll opened on September 29 and is currently on circuit.
Maurice turns the Paige
Mega hunk Maurice Paige is just as hot as a dancer as he is a talented actor.
The former Isidingo actor features in a new local dance film called Pop Lock n Roll.
The film won an Award of Excellence at the 7th IndieFEST Film Awards.
More than 50 professional dancers feature, including top dance crews from around the country. With eight choreographers on board, hip-hop music and dance in all its local variations are the foundation on which the film is built.
Some of the dance styles include crumping, voguing, popping, locking, pantsula and breakdancing.
This lead role has shown how diverse Paige really is.
It tells the story of a Westbury hip-hop dancer who grew up poor and believes that money is everything. He gets a lucky break and rises as a professional entertainer.
However, when he falls in love with the beautiful Brazilian wife of the gangster-cum-producer he'll have to risk it all to find true happiness.
He says his character, called Raps, has a thick skin because of where he is from. Westbury is known for it's gangs and high crime levels.
Raps is very strong-willed but at times he is arrogant and that gets him into trouble.
The film, which was shot on location in Westbury and central Joburg, took five years to make and according to writer and director, Ziggy Hofmeyer, choosing Paige as the lead was a no-brainer.
Says Paige of the role: "It has given me a new platform of performance. It has also helped me see the importance of fatherhood, as in the film I have a son. It's made me somewhat responsible for the youth."
"As a young man myself I want to keep them safe and ensure they are not taken for granted and look after their needs," he says.
Raised by his great-grandmother and growing up on the platteland of Heidelberg, as well as the Cape Flats, Paige says the film is very much like his own life. He learnt to dance in high school. There were always crews of hip-hop dancers and breakdancers.
"After school we would always have battles. When Ziggy approached me it was 10 years since I last participated. But because I had a background in dance I was able to get back into it quickly. For three months I would train for eight to 10 hours everyday," says Paige.
"I have been committed to this project for two years because from the moment I saw the script I knew it was an incredible opportunity for me to showcase my versatility. This film is really going to reflect SA's dance talent," he says.
Best known for his character Calvin in the hit soapie Isidingo, Paige has definitely come a long way.
After being on the soapie for the past 11 years, he has also recently taken on a new role in the Afrikaans drama Suidooster on kykNet. Here he plays the role of hustler, Tyron Daniels.
The 35-year-old describes what he does as a risk.
"Being in this industry gives me an adrenalin rush, you have to constantly be on your toes because you never know what will happen next," he says.
He tells us that he never really intended on being in the acting industry.
"Primary school, in standard five. I was always the Funny guy. The drama club were having a performance and one actor fell sick, they needed someone to fill the spot and the teachers approached me. They kinda forced me into it but eventually I gave in. I learnt my lines a week before the show and won an award for the best supporting actor," he says.
His professional career started as a cameraman at ON!TV. His first TV appearance was in an Engen 1-Stop commercial.
"The one thing I dislike has to be how pretentious it tends to get. But I try to stay grounded. I have learnt not to let anything have an impact on my family and personal life. I strive for good balance so I can still enjoy my own life and remember that I'm human," says Paige.
His future goal is acting in Hollywood as a comedic action hero and also as a multi-camera director.
This gorgeous man is also an award winning sportsman.
In July last year he won the fitness physique division of the South African leg of Muscle Mulisha Grand Prix body building competition, which was held in Kyalami.
"If it wasn't for acting I would have been in the sports industry, specifically playing rugby."
Pop Lock n Roll opened on September 29 and is currently on circuit.