Alluding to her future self, young rising star, Reneiloe Mathebula says, “I see myself in one of the biggest movies, yet to be released. I see myself walking on stage to receive a Grammy.”
She makes a bold statement, but one with a lot of promise. The aspiring actress has dreamed about being in front of the camera since she was a little girl and with great determination and work ethic is slowly making it happen. She explains, “For as long as I can remember, acting has been a burning passion of mine, but things have not always gone according to plan.”
Trusting and believing in God’s timing, the Pretoria based performer recalls having to miss the opportunity to perform in front of international talent scouts at The International Arts Talent Showcase (IATS) in 2022, after a hurricane hit Orlando and her flight from America back to South Africa was cancelled. Not losing hope, the born star decided to record an audition video in her hotel room, just to get a chance.
“When I got home, I received a call asking me to audition for the IATS,” she explains. “That changed everything, and the next thing I knew, I was selected to go to New York, with an AMDA scholarship and awards in my hands.”
Fast forward to 2024, and the performer is set to board a plane to New York next week for her lucky break. Afforded the extra time to develop her skill set, Reneiloe has since starred in numerous music videos, including a recent shoot for international Grammy winning superstar Tyla.
Grateful for the experience, the talented teen recalls, “I had been in music videos before, but this one was different. I got to interact with different people from different walks of life. I played a role of being a side cheer and it was really great to watch talented people at work. I admire them for that.”
When asked why she thinks they selected her to star in the music video, she reflects, thanking God for his perfect timing. Waiting for her moment to shine, the actress points out that humility and character are key components.
She says, “I believe that one’s character and values can be seen even in pictures. A picture silently speaks a thousand words. I think the photo that I submitted spoke words silently. Also, humility is something that extends beyond boarders and I am humbled by the opportunities that have been afforded me in this industry.”
For her to align with the largest names in Hollywood and New York at such a young age, proves that anything is possible. She hopes that her testimony will speak to other talented individuals and encourage them to believe in themselves, to dream so big as to position themselves in places larger than imagined.
“It doesn’t matter how many no’s you get, trust God’s timing” she says. This motto is reflection for her own success.
Reneiloe strives to make a difference in the industry by showcasing her unique identity. She is open minded and eager to learn, grow and develop her confidence. Being exposed to bullies from a very young age, she wants to tell stories that spark intentional change in how people in society treat each other.
She also believes that her purpose is far more than just acting. She hopes to one day run her own business where she can create opportunities for other creatives in the industry.