Getting to know Sade

It’s highly unlikely for people to find their calling early in life. Some are fortunate enough to be channelled into their walk in life that they were destined for. However, talent alone does not ensure success. A lot of individuals who have excelled in their respective professions maintain that it requires much more practice and preparation. Things turn out a bit different though for those who find their niche during childhood stages, as the talent evolves their work will always be child’s play, it’s like second nature to them, they deliver with flare and it seems so effortless.

Sade Giliberti is such an individual. The child-star and ever so amicable TV personality is one of the most hardworking individuals in the TV industry. Personally as I also grew up during the times of TV kids programmes like Kideo and well what initially started as Rainbow Star Ship (if memory serves me well), which later progressed to Yo TV. Certainly, people who grew up during that era would recall the likes of Byron, Entle, Mandisa to name a few. One is lead to wonder about the whereabouts of Sade’s former colleagues as mentioned, we can speculate that the industry is not all rosy as it seems. It is more than an honour to have the opportunity to have spoken to one of the ‘cool kids’ that one used to admire growing up. Once again LiveJam presents to you Ms Giliberti so you can get to know her better than just the TV persona. She took the time to speak to LiveJam just a day after her return from her trip to Amstardam:

We all know the fun and bubbly Sade from Television. How would you describe your personality away from lights and cameras?

I'm actually very quiet and reserved away from the lights and camera's. I am a funny girl, and tend to crack a few great jokes - and then when I have had a few in me, no one can hold me back haha... I'm very friendly and outgoing. What you see is kinda what you get.

Things you wish you knew before signing up to be a present on Yo TV?

To be honest, I don't think knowing anything would have changed. I was 10 years old. To a 10 year old being on a popular kids show is the best thing ever.

From YOH TV to MTV, travelling to places like Amsterdam. What is your biggest goal that you are working to achieve in entertainment?

To be remembered. To be known as that person who entertained, was good at her job, and continued to do the best and be the best at her craft. I have worked hard to be where I am now. And will continue to work hard until I can't do this anymore.

What was your worse experience while you were on “Survivor South Africa”?

Starving!! After 4 days of 'surviving' - making shelter, trying to stay out of the rain and getting a fire going and keeping it alive, I realised I hadn't eaten a thing. I think that was tough. Oh and actually playing the game - i'm not a two faced snakey kind of person.

You currently working with Roxy Burger on the new MTV Choice show, how did that come about and how has that experience been?

Right place, right time to be honest. We both featured on Vuzu's 10 over 10 and I think seeing us together as a duo made the decision easier for us to be paired up together and it worked like a BOSS! We're friends off camera, so what more can I ask for? I'm working with a friend and the chemistry is real.

As a TV personality the general perception is that it’s all rosy. What are the negatives that come with that territory?

That time isn't yours. As a public figure and TV personality, you now belong to the public. And sometimes the public don't really understand that you are human too - you just have a job on TV. I think the falseness of this industry is what people don't get to see and understand and most importantly the divaish tendencies that surface once in a while. Some people in this industry think they are god's gift to the human race, when actually they are just a person like another person who so happens to be on TV.

In terms of writing and producing TV shows, please let us know which productions have you been involved in and if there is any formal educational background that you have when it comes to producing or is it more of a passion plus experience in the TV industry?

I started off as a production manager on the magazine shows on YOTV when I was 19. Next thing, I was writing scripts, producing the shows and directing the shows. I was also a Promo Director for Vuzu for a year. I did not formally study any of this. I picked up everything I know from being in the industry from the age of 7 and learnt A LOT while I was working on YOTV because they felt that we needed to know everything about the industry as appose to just being the pretty faces on TV. Since then I have done a few short movies, am currently in the process of doing my first full length feature film - but that is time consuming and will take longer and originally expected.

With so many original stories to tell as South Africans, do you ever feel that all that we do is play catch up or try duplicate what Hollywood is doing?

I feel that we tend to tell a lot of the same stories. We need to break away from the racial/apartheid stories. We harp on it so much, that it's now tedious. I think we should be telling OUR stories and not have Hollywood come in and tell our stories with their American Actors. Some one local should have played Winnie Mandela, should have played Mandela, should have played Francios Pienaar. You know what I mean?? The whole world is trying to duplicate what Hollywood does (except Bollywood) - Hollywood are the founders of the movie industry. We just now need to carry on making amazing movies, because we really are, we're moving up and our movies are kicking ass. Look at how well District 9 did? Keep that up SA!

We got to see you with your young woman swag on in a long dress while you were hosting “So You Think You Can Dance”. Do you feel that that is something that you enjoyed, if it was not something that the show required would you on a personal level adopt that image?

No, I would not adopt that image at all. It's not me. But I will play a role if I am needed too and for the show I needed to play the role of being "that girl". I'm a tomboy with an androgynous look. I have always been that person and I really don't want to change for anyone. Like I said, i will play a role but I won't change who I AM!

Do you think young and creative South African women like yourself get enough support from corporate and government, and if not, what need to change or improve?

Yes and No. We are all expected to be a certain kind of woman, with certain values etc. It's still somewhat taboo for women in this country to be outspoken and fully creative. With a government run by men, who are mostly chauvinistic - that change will take a LONG time to happen. In certain areas it has started to happen but I feel that we're still steps behind in that regard.

I understand that you're a Durbanite by birth do you still have family there, any plans of relocating should there be a reason?

I do yes, but I don't speak to them. That part of the family abandoned me when my mother left me when I was 16. Which is extremely sad because apparently they still speak about me yet have never once tried to contact me or console me when my mom left. Jozi is my home and will always be my home. I enjoy visiting Durban and holidaying there, but I would never move there.

Three things that you like about Durban?

The weather. It's summer 24/7 (except for when it rains and rains and rains). Durbanites and super friendly and Durban has the best beaches, with warmer water. Even though I don't swim in the sea at all, I do enjoy the beaches there a lot more. (I've nearly drowned 3 times in Durban waters and refuse to get back into those waters LOL)

#Sade #Gllliberti #YoTV #Presenter #Personality