The stage doesn’t wait for anyone, but when you’re born with a creative instinct, your calling has a way of finding you. For Prince Grootboom, that journey has unfolded naturally, beginning with dance, evolving onto the screen, and now leading his first film, 180, alongside some of South Africa’s most compelling talent.
From his early on-screen role in Jiva to his fan-favourite character as Jacob Tau in Fatal Seduction, a character particularly popular among the ladies, Prince has proven himself as a versatile performer with undeniable presence. His career has been a steady, intentional build, one that highlights both his range and a distinct acting style that sets him apart.
In him, South Africa has found a refreshing, multi-talented thespian with the makings of a lasting career. GLAMOUR caught up with the Port Elizabeth-born actor to learn more about the man behind the rising star.
Before the spotlight, who was Prince Grootboom when no one was watching, and what parts of that version of you are still untouched today?
Just a young kid from P.E. who was obsessed with dancing, think Tight Eyez (creator of Krump) meets Michael Jackson in someone's backyard. Driven by passion, fueled by restlessness. I've never been comfortable staying in the same place or position for too long, and honestly, that hunger hasn't changed one bit. That's the part of me no amount of cameras or credits will ever touch.
Did you always know you wanted to be in film and television, or did that path reveal itself to you over time?
I never knew I'd become an actor or end up in television and film, but I always loved being in front of a camera, that much I can tell you. Back when I was still with P.E.'s finest dance crew, we used to do these full theatrical productions at the Port Elizabeth Opera House. And every single production, I played the lead (the Nelson Mandela story, the Marikana story, the Dawid Stuurman story). Every time. I never understood what our manager kept seeing in me, but it's making sense now. The path just revealed itself over time.
Your new film 180 puts you in a leading role, but this time emotionally heavier, tell us about your character and how you switch into that headspace without losing yourself?
It was an intense journey. My character carries this unbearable weight - the kind that comes from knowing a single decision could have changed everything (like if I just stayed in that car!). So from the moment I stepped out of my trailer, I had to be fully locked in, fully present. Yes, it was draining. But I had the most incredible support system on set. Warren and Noxolo have this gift of cracking a joke or sparking a random conversation right after a heavy scene, and just like that…you're human again. That kind of cast chemistry is rare, and I'm grateful for it.
You’ve come full circle working with Noxolo Dlamini in 180, after your debut in Jiva!—what did it feel like stepping back into a scene with her, but this time as the lead of the story?
Nox is genuinely one of the most talented, warm, amazing and fun people you'll ever meet on a set. One of the most beautiful performers. A little back story - before we shot the film, I was called in for a chemistry read and had no idea who I'd be testing with. I was a nervous wreck. Then I walked in and saw her, and every bit of tension just left my body because I knew I was in the right hands. We'd already built that trust. So what could've been nerve-wracking became a joy. She's the real deal.
It’s a funny pattern, you’ve now been part of two major projects tied to the number “180” (1802! and 180). Is that just coincidence, or do you secretly feel like the number is following you at this point?
Thando Thabethe said the exact same thing, she even suggested they might be my Powerball numbers! Look, coincidence or cosmic alignment, I'm not questioning it. Whatever the number's doing, it's working. I'm keeping it and loving it.
In Fatal Seduction, you’ve played Jacob Tau across three seasons since its inception, did you expect the role to grow this much and shape your career the way it has, or did that journey surprise you as much as it did audiences?
Jacob Tau was a very risky character. The kind of character that can either launch you or finish you. I went in knowing this was my moment, so I gave it everything. Watching it grow my profile in the industry and open doors I didn't even know existed has been a real blessing. I won't pretend I wasn't scared - I questioned how audiences would receive it, how my family would see me. But sometimes the roles that terrify you the most are the ones that set you free and allow you to learn more about yourself as an actor.
What kind of characters are you naturally drawn to now, do you chase complexity, or do you look for something that feels unfamiliar to you personally?
Everyone's seen the lover boy. Now I would like them to start to see the breadth of my range. I'm leaning into action in a big way. It turns out my dance background makes learning stunt choreography almost intuitive since my body already knows how to move. It's just a different kind of choreography now.
What’s something about the acting process that still frustrates you, even as you get better at it?
Those ten seconds after the director calls cut. My brain immediately wants to put the take on trial - questioning every choice, every instinct. It's a habit I'm actively working on breaking. I've been practicing a reset breath so I don’t drag the last scene into the next one. It's a work in progress.
South African film and TV is evolving fast, are you excited by where it’s going, or do you feel like there’s still too much of the same stories being told?
It's a genuinely exciting time to be an African actor. The world has its eyes on us, and the stories we've been telling these past few years have been extraordinary. New directors, new voices, new cinematographers and DOPs are emerging every single day. There's still room to grow, but the direction is absolutely right. I can only imagine where we'll be in ten or twenty years. Actually, I don't want to imagine it. I just want to be in it.
With a growing career across television and film, how do you maintain your mental and physical wellbeing while navigating pressure and visibility?
I have an amazing support structure at home in my grandparents, mother, sister and family that keeps me grounded at all times. Also, my wife is incredible. She reassures me when things get to be too much, and I do the same for her. We're both in the industry, so there's no need to explain the chaos. We just get it. Having someone in your corner who truly understands this world is everything.
If you weren’t an actor or dancer, what career path would you have taken and why?
I would be a cricket player. I was genuinely good in high school - playing first team in Port Elizabeth (Emagxaki) at sixteen years old. It's probably the one thing my grandparents were excited about because they really knew I was good.
Any projects we can look forward to for the rest of 2026?
There are a few, and I genuinely cannot say more than that. But I'll put it this way: you won't be disappointed and hopefully blown away.
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