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→ May 12, 2010 → Tags: Filamu/Movie, Sinema, Watanzania Kimataifa →

Her name is Cynthia Masasi. She was born in Mwanza, Tanzania. Without a doubt, her name is among the most recognized name among Tanzanians especially abroad and even at home.

Although she has been in a limelight for a while through her career as a model, it is her appearances in a lot of rap/hip hop videos that made her popular. Those appearances, famously known as video vixen, have also been a point of attack and debates from her supporters and fans versus those who belong to the school of thought that claims; video vixen is something that degrade women and nobody’s daughter, mother or sister should be part of it.

She is now an aspiring actor, entrepreneur and continues being a model. In fact, she has already appeared in a couple of movies and has some serious upcoming projects this summer. We recently caught up with her to talk about her current career, her experiences as a video vixen and her entrepreneurship dreams and goals. How did she move from modelling to video vixen and now into much more serious acting? What is her motivation? What advice does she have for young models and artists? This is how it all went down;

BC: Cynthia, welcome to BongoCelebrity. It feels good to have you here. How are you doing?

CM: Thank you. I am doing great. How about yourself?

BC: I am doing great too Cynthia. Thanks for asking. Now I wish I could skip this question but because this is your first time on BC, there are tons of fans who’d like to know a bit about your life history. Can you briefly tell us where were you born, which schools did you go etc?

CM: I was born and raised in Mwanza. I come from a family of 6 children and I am the first born. I have one brother and four sisters. I started my academic journey at Progressive School which is in the city of Kampala in Uganda. Later on, I transferred to Nyanza Primary school in Mwanza. For secondary school, I went to Mwanza Secondary School in Mwanza. After that my mother suggested that I join Jitegemee Secondary School in Dar-es-salaam for A-Level studies. I therefore joined Jitegemee High School for the A-level. To this day I still have great memories of Jitegemee High School. Loved it!

Cynthia

BC: How was it growing up in Tanzania? What do you remember most about your childhood? Did you have dreams of acting and modeling back then?

CM: I never had dreams of modeling. When I was growing up, I was in love with sports since my father was a sports person. He used to play professional soccer player. Actually my parents met through sports. She was a netball and basketball player and as I mentioned, he was a soccer player. Out of their influences, I also became a netball and basketball player. I played basketball and netball to the national team when I was in high school. (UMISETA). I was pretty good in both sports. I played GA (Goal Attack in netball and was a great shooter. I did great in basketball too.

You can therefore see why I never had a dream of being a model. On top of it all, I was very Tom- boyish. Most of my friends were guys and I played basketball and a bit of soccer with guys all the time. I never liked wearing skirts or even dresses. I remember how I used to annoy my mother by refusing to wear skirts and dresses that she bought. She was getting upset with me all the time.

However, as far as acting is concerned, I loved it since then. I just never knew where to start or what to do. I remember in school we would do mini-drama plays or famously known as “maigizo” but that was just for fun…I guess.

BC: What attracted you into modeling career?

CM: What attracted me into modeling was/is Naomi Campbell. I loved and still love that woman. In my opinion, she is the one who made a difference in/to most (if not all) black models. She made it be known that black women are pretty and can be models too and recognized. She was my inspiration. Even though I never got where she is, it’s like she gave me a dream.

BC: You have become very popular due to your appearances in quite lots of hip hop music videos of some famous artists especially in the US. Can you tell us, how you got into these videos. How is the selection process?

CM: Yes I have done more than 30 video’s and there are some videos that I can’t even see myself because of editing ahahahah…However the ones that u can see me are quite many too like 20 and something.

The process is that you first get an email or a call for an audition. You have to show up on time for audition with your photos whether they are in your portfolio or Compcards. Usually a lot of people attend the initial audition process. When they call your name, you enter to the room where the assessment/interview is taking place. You handle them accordingly and then you get the usual “after- interview promise” that they will contact…Thank you. You therefore go home and wait to hear from them. If you don’t hear from them, you know that you were not selected and of course if you hear from them, you got the job and there starts other preparations for the video-shoot.

BC: How tough is the competition of getting into the videos. Is there jealously among the girls in the industry?

CM: Just like in many other entertainment areas, the competition of getting in, be seen, get recognized and make money is tough. It’s the same case with the music videos making industry. Personally, I have never experienced any major jealousy kinda issues with anybody. I was cool with most of the girls. I can actually say there are not much personal jealousy issues among girls in the industry but since it’s a job and there is money issues everybody wants to be the one to get it more or first. I guess that is what happens everywhere else in the world, right?

BC: What you do in the videos is popularly known as video vixen. There has been a lot of debates and argument on how the hip hop industry is contributing in degrading women and the whole sexism accusation. Some people have even called what you guys do “a self-destructive lifestyle”. What do think? Do you think it’s just a huge misconception or there are some truths to the subject?

CM: People who say what we were doing were “a self-destructive lifestyle” are WRONG. And I am speaking on my personal experience here. During my entire time as a video model, I never went over- board. I have never ever stripped naked. I have never done anything crazy to that would mess up my reputation and have never witnessed any crazy actions going on behind the scene or anything like that.

I had a great working experience with many artists and have never regretted anything at all. Some of them are still my friends to this day. I was working and making good money and enjoying myself at the same time. I love being in front of the camera and I am confident doing it.

Posing with Desmond Elliot,a Nigerian movie star.He is also featured in the upcoming movie,Rebound.

BC: In your opinion are black/ African women or men “HATING” on what you do (video vixen) if they do not approve it as a profession?

CM: I can’t call it a “hate” even though people can say whatever they want to say in pretty much everything. And I don’t think Video Vixen is a profession to anyone. What it does is to help a lot of young females to forge ahead with their dreams. A good example is someone like Melissa Ford. To me it was a great experience and it opened a lot of doors for me. I met a lot of cool people in the industry and they have helped me with my journey trying to go to the top now…

BC: Does love ever brew between video girls and artists?

CM: I don’t know about others but it never happened to me. Nope.

BC: If you don’t mind us asking…have you ever been involved with an artist or video director?

CM: Never. But you have to remember, those artists are human being as well. If they happen to see a pretty woman, they will try to talk to her. Any man will do that even if you were working at the President’s office and Mr. President find you attractive, he may try to HOLLA.lol. So it’s not just because they are artists and that’s why they holla at a woman, it’s any man.

Cynthia posing with one of Africa’s most talented actors,Van Vicker.This was during the shooting of an upcoming movie Rebound.

BC: In a couple of interviews, we have quoted you saying that your dream in to become an actress for some big screen movies someday. Are you still pursuing that dream?

CM: Yes that is my dream now. I had to go to school for acting. That is how much I love acting. I went to New York Film Academy in Universal Studios in Los Angeles, California which is one of the best acting schools in the world and graduated in May last year. So I am now fully into it!

BC: Should we expect to see on big screen anytime soon?

CM: YES. I have actually done my first feature film and it is called Severed In. It is now out on DVD. Anyone can get it at Blockbusters or other video stores.

Editor’s Note: You can watch the Official Trailer by clicking here.

BC: Which video shoot did you enjoy the most and which one would you say it was your worse? Do you have any specific reasons?

CM: Everything about the video shoots is fun. I Love music and I love dancing. But I will say had more fun shooting Ride Remix with Rick Ross. I did that at the end of 2008 and it was my last video. It was fun and I got to meet and work with a lot of artists on that day. The worse thing in video shoots is waiting periods. I didn’t like being on set for too long. Sometimes it could take even 2 days or more to shoot a 3-4 minutes video.

BC: In interview with MIMI magazine you mentioned that Tyra Banks and Beyonce are some of your inspiration. Can you tell us how; considering that both of them didn’t use and go through the same path as you to get where they are today…

CM: When I said they inspired me, I was talking about inspiring me as a black woman. To get where they are in their career is something I find very inspiring.

BC: Apart from modeling and now acting, you are also an entrepreneur. We understand that you have a business back home in Tanzania. Can you briefly tell us about it and what made you decide to invest in Tanzania? What are the challenges?

CM: Yes I did open a boutique which is run and managed by my sisters. It is in Mwanza. They sell mostly women stuff like shoes, purses (handbags) perfumes, clothes, accessories and some other women stuff. My goal and dream has always been to invest back home. I am actually going to do the same for Dar-es-salaam soon. The only challenge I have is that I can’t keep up with business 24/7 because of my other dreams/career that I am into. Being an entrepreneur has always been my goal.

BC: What words of advice & encouragement can you offer aspiring models & video models?

CM: My advice to young and upcoming models is simple; don’t give up. Stay focused and humble. You have to pursue your dreams and believe in it. Nothing is impossible in the name of God. Keep working hard and you will be on top one day.

BC: Who are the people you would like to thank?

CM: First of all I want to thank GOD because without him I am nothing. My loving Mother Veronica Bihondo. My sisters; Magreth, Lillian, Zitta and Lisa. My brother Mohamed. The list can’t be complete without shout out to my other sisters Jack Korassa and Tina Lupembe. I love you babes. I can’t forget my beautiful fans and supporters as well as all BC readers, followers and fans. I love you guys. Last but not least, I would like to specially thank my fiancé Richard Mziray. I love you with all my heart and thank you for being there for me all the time and being my number one fan and number one supporter.

Cynthia with her fiancee, Richard Mziray.

BC: Thank you very much for your time. We truly appreciate and wish you all the best in your dreams and any other endeavor…

CM: Thanks again for having me BC. God Bless You.

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