Nomzamo Mbatha talks to GLAMOUR about breaking into Hollywood

South Africa actress, human rights activist and TV personality, Nomzamo Mbatha will make her global stage debut tomorrow in the much-anticipated “Coming 2 America”, the sequel to Eddie Murphy’s 1988 hit movie, “Coming to America”.

In the movie, Durban-born Nomzamo plays the role of Mirembe, a royal barber who ends up falling in love with a Prince. Starring alongside Hollywood’s royalty the likes of Eddie Murphy and Wesley Snipes, among others.

Nomzamo Mbatha photographed by Simz Mkhwanazi

The GLAMOUR cover star for the December/January 2021 issue spoke to our Editor-In-Chief Nontando Mposo about moving to Hollywood and what starring in “Coming 2 America” means to her.

Nomzamo’s move to LA landed her a role in the American comedy film Coming 2 America, starring alongside Eddie Murphy who reprises his role as the crown prince of the fictional African nation Zamunda in the sequel of the popular 1988 film. “When I got the call for the audition, I was in Abu Dhabi shooting a UN humanitarian video.

My agent said, ‘You can send a tape, but I think you should be in the room.’ I felt demotivated at the time, but the energy in the audition room was so refreshing I wanted to hug the casting director, she was so lovely. I got the call that I got the role on my grandmother’s birthday, which is significant. How’s life in LA? “It’s different from South Africa, but I love it. It was initially hard because it was a big culture shock – I tried not to get hit by a car while crossing the street! Overall, it’s been such a great experience.

In South Africa, you need a thick skin for social media. Elsewhere in the world, you need it for professionals, experts, and the people who sit on the other side of the table, those who can decide your destiny, whether you get to keep the lights on or not.”

Coming 2 America has been sold by distributor Paramount Pictures to Amazon Studios, in a deal worth roughly $125 million. “That means I’m in a billion-Rand movie. I don’t know what that means right now, but I will one day.”

*“Coming 2 America” releases at cinemas nationwide from March 5 and will be streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

WATCH: Nomzamo Mbatha Unfiltered | GLAMOUR South Africa December 2020 / January 2021