Lucky Koza, huh?
From first glance he doesn't look familiar at all but the minute I heard he was once a Simunye presenter, I knew I'd seen him before. Strange, I know.
He was one of the quiet ones that we weren't too crazy about. That was back in the day when the likes of Camilla, Robert Marawa and Dicksy Nqula were presenters. Do you remember that era?
Lucky made one hell of a comeback and he made sure that we all took note. He's the lead actor in SABC 1's After Nine, the hott gay 4 part mini series and I absolutely had to chat to the brother to find out how he managed to get us talking like that!
I needed to do this interview and get it out to you before you could watch the finale so I asked for his number (thanks Lesego) so I could deliver this telephonic interview...Damn, telephonic sucks neh?
Wrong! Not when you're talking to someone with a voice like his. Brother is damn hott, even on the phone. Hi hi hi hi.
Okay, here's how the quick chat went....
BS: I got a shock when I realized that we’ve actually seen you on TV before!!!
Lucky: Yeah, way back in the days.
BS: How old does all of this make you?
Lucky: Very old! Let’s just say I’m on the other side of the calendar. My date of birth is 19 March.
BS: What have you been doing since we last saw you ke?
Lucky : I’ve been a qualified loafer. The problem is that we work too hard and not too smart so I’ve only been doing voice overs here and there but I can’t call it a job as such.
BS: And now you’ve become this big star overnight
?
Lucky: I can’t really call it that because people treat you according to the way you present yourself. I’m still the same person
BS: You were looking very straight back then, are you still straight
?
Lucky: Still straight? Are we THAT convincing?
BS: You guys are good, real good.
Lucky: I guess that will be the outcome if someone works with professionals who know their story like abo Kuki, Aaron and the rest.
I must say, I enjoyed each take, eish maybe not each take.
Sechaba is a really good director though and I was amazed that he was able to bring out that actor in me. I didn’t think I was capable of doing that especially given the fact that it was my first ever acting job and I had to play the lead.
BS: You did really , really well. So tell me, I hear you got a lil baby?
Lucky: Yeah, he’s 5 now so he’s not exactly a baby.
BS: Oh sweet, does that mean you’re in a relationship?
Lucky: Yes I am.
BS: Argh..man my gals are gonna be disappointed to hear that (
kudisappointed mna kuqala)
Lucky: Unfortunately for them I’ve got someone…sorry.
BS: Oh well there’s no ring yet…umm so what made you take that role, coz I hear there were some big stars that turned it down?
Lucky: As an actor you have to be flexible and set yourself some boundaries to say I’ll play a priest, I’ll play a hoodlum etc etc.
It also goes with our norms and values as Africans coz people end up saying no because of the stigma attached to roles such as these and say "haa people will call me gay" but why be scared if you are not?
BS: And how do you feel about that decision now?
Lucky: For me it’s still the same. I know I’m not gay, I was just playing a part and I think sometimes we underestimate the audience. That whole thing of a fan slapped Ntsiki,
that was then.
Now people understand that we are edu-taining them. It’s education mixed with entertainment.
Most of the parents that I met allowed their kids to watch the show and sat down with them afterwards to tell them the advantages and disadvantages of what they saw on TV. If you don’t allow the kids to watch they’ll still go next door to watch it anyway.
BS: How was it like for you to watch that sex scene between wena no Hector?
Lucky: I actually called Sechaba and asked him “Did I really do this?” I mean, two men kissing like that, we’re not used to it.
I guess I really got lost in the character and it was a good thing that I sat my fiancée (I wanna scream, “your what?????”) down and told her to be prepared for what was gonna happen.
It was difficult shooting it as well considering there are all these people, make up, directors, producer.
BS: I covered my eyes at that scene, it was too much for me to watch.
Lucky: I wanted to cover my eyes too but I had to watch so I could see whether we pulled it off.
BS: Was it difficult for you to kiss a man?
(one of those times I'm allowed to ask a silly question, ok?)
Lucky: It was challenging. I had to talk to my inner being and say “China is appointed to do this.” It was tricky, it was challenging but working with professionals such as Aaron helped a lot.
Once they said CUT, it was done and at the end of the day it was about making it convincing for you and everyone.
BS: How would you rate Aaron as a kisser? Scale of 1-10?
( we spent no less than 10 minutes on this question coz the brother was just plainly trying to dodge the question….all I wanted was a number but he kept giving me all these long answers. We ended up settling for a 5/10. The original was lower than that but I promised I’d leave it as a 5)
BS: During the first two episodes you were uptight and only started to relax on the 3rd episode. I was actually beginning to think your casting was a mistake until the 3rd episode. Did you feel/see that transition?
Lucky: That’s how the character was. It was China who made me to be like that because in those two episodes he was not comfortable with being gay. But with the 3rd episode he had started to relax and was like “what the heck, I’m gonna stop living a lie" so that’s why there was that change. It was all about the character.
BS: Have you encountered gay guys who are hitting on you now?
Lucky: Not hitting on me but appreciating that there was someone who was willing to bite the bullet for them. For being the messenger and showing Africa that they exist.
They respect me for being brave enough to stand up for them. I guess it was not about stepping on anyone’s toes, they respect me for what I am and I respect them for what they are.
After Nine is not about changing people, we are just telling a story. We don’t force anyone to watch and that’s why there’s a remote so that you can change the channel if you don’t like it. We only hope that people learn what it’s like to be on the other side of the table.
BS: You had some powerful moments on the show. When you and Bokang were talking on the phone looking at each other through that glass door and you said
“It’s not easy being gay.” Was that your favourite moment?
Lucky: That was my favourite line. It’s hard being gay and we tried to highlight the journey that this person goes through and the fears of how the parents are going to react and stuff but you know if you’re gay you’re gay so don’t be afraid to show it. Tell your parent, tell your partner let her choose whether or not she sticks with you.
BS: What’s the point of sticking with you if you say that…
Lucky: Just be honest with them and give them that choice.
BS: Yho, but that is so scary. To think you have a man and meanwhile he’s doing other men
Lucky: Yah, it’s scary and you know, through talking to people, we’ve found out that there actually “she" After Nines as well. I personally think people should just be honest and be whatever they are.
BS: What is your policy when it comes to cellphones in relationships?
Lucky: My cellphone is a private matter. It doesn’t have a cord so it’s supposed to be in my pocket, it’s mine. If I want to share the conversation, I’ll put the person on speaker phone. What causes breakups and fights is a lack of trust between partners.
BS: Is there anything else that you would like to share with us about After Nine?
Lucky: I hope people will be able to look beyond the gay issues and see the heartache that Bokang has to go through. To notice the characters and even Zee, who may look insignificant. Maybe there's a reason why she didn't tell Bokang. Perhaps she is unhappy in her marriage.
I also wanna say that some people hide behind being metrosexuals and are afraid to reveal who they are. They hide behind manicures and pedicures and I'm not saying there's anything wrong with looking after yourself, I mean if you look good then we say you represent. All I'm saying is that you shouldn't be afraid to be what you are.
BS: Speaking of metrosexuals, there was this story suggested about (
my) Andile. Do you think he's gay or he's a metrosexual?
Lucky: What you want to see is what you will get. If Aaron and I decided to go somewhere for coffee, somebody is bound to say "There they go, now they're continuing with Part 2!"
BS: LOL, yho, Part 2!
Lucky: Does it mean he must now not talk or say hi to Somizi just because people will think he's gay?
To answer your question, I think he's a metrosexual.
BS: We have Blogiwood Trash Awards nominations going on, how do you feel about nominating a few people? (
Zama Zama nje)
Lucky: No, I don’t judge people that way but those who are nominated or win, should learn from it and rather use it as an opportunity to acknowledge the viewers’ opinions and improve.
BS: Have you received any other offers so far, as a result of this show?
Lucky: There hasn’t been anything as yet but I'll let you know if something comes up
BS: There will definitely be a lot of them coming up and I think you'd do very well acting in a soapie.
Lucky: Thank you, I'm humbled.
BS: Lucky thank you so much for chatting to me and promise me you’re not gonna disappear again?
Lucky: I’ll try not to disappear.
I did say it was a quick chat but I'm sure it has answered a few questions about who Lucky Khoza is.
Please catch Lucky's Celeb Q & A coming up shortly on our Celeb Q & A page.
I've been so chuffed with the show that I had to even go and talk to one of the producers, Lesego Majatladi to find out how this whole thing started and why.
If you loved After Nine as much as I did, if you love the industry as much as I do then be sure to catch that one because it certainly opened my eyes in a lotta ways. Besides all of that, I still continue with my tradition of only bringing you talented & hot young South Africans who are making it big in the industry.
So proud of these fab things!!!