Born into the South African entertainment industry, Rowling was surrounded by art from an early age.
Hollywood has a new star. Natasha Rowling is not only beautiful, she's also a really nice person and a talented actor. Her future as a growing brand in show business is almost certain. Success is also guaranteed. She is currently starring in “Girl you know it's true”, a retelling of the 80s Milli Vanilli pantomime and musical scandal.
Born into the South African entertainment industry, Rowling was surrounded by the arts from an early age; her father is legendary theatre producer Richard Rowling. “I grew up in the entertainment industry,” she says. “From an early age I was singing, dancing, acting, it was always my passion.”
She said her childhood was truly magical. The theater was her playground, and she was often among the hustle and bustle of her father's productions. “I remember doing my homework backstage during rehearsals,” she said. “It was an immersive environment. Watching the performers rehearse, watching the action backstage. It was all part of my daily life.”
Her first big break came while she was still completing her studies, when she was cast in the lead romantic role in the South African feature film The Hitchhiker. It quickly laid the foundations for a career that would take her far beyond South Africa's borders. After studying at film school in Cape Town, she landed a role in The Natalee Holloway Story, which became the highest-rated film in the station's history. “That was a defining moment for me,” she recalls. “It opened doors that I had never dared to knock on before.”
Her blossoming career soon took her all over the world, working alongside some of the industry's biggest names: she starred opposite Orlando Bloom and Forest Whitaker in the 2013 Cannes entry Zulu, alongside Rosamund Pike in BBC's Women in Love, and opposite another cinematic giant, Christopher Lloyd, in Web of Spies. “Working with such talented people was both daunting and exhilarating,” she says. “I learned something invaluable from each experience.”
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Rowling's ambition and drive eventually led her to Los Angeles, a city synonymous with show business. “I always knew I wanted to be in LA,” she says. “It's kind of the mecca for actors.” The move wasn't without challenges, but Rowling's tenacity paid off. “LA was both intimidating and exciting,” she admits. “But I knew that's where I was meant to be.” She went on to star in high-profile projects like the Apple TV series “Invasion” and the film “Broken Star,” and she also voiced the award-nominated animated show “Minecraft.”
Rowling had the opportunity to film in South Africa again when the movie Girl You Know It's True was shot there. “Filming in Cape Town showcased the beauty of the city and boosted the local economy,” she said. Rowling plays a key role in the film. “Playing Lisa was such a fun experience – it's a wild and carefree character,” she said. “I'd just finished a pretty serious project, so this role allowed me to just relax and enjoy the moment.”
Despite international success and a change of address to the City of Angels, South Africa remains close to her heart. “Whenever I set foot in South Africa, a part of me comes back,” she says, and while her career has taken her all over the world, she misses the simple pleasures of home. “I love Woolies rusks,” she laughs. “Those muesli Woolies rusks are my addiction. If anyone is going to South Africa, I always ask for them. You can buy other rusks on Amazon but they don't taste the same.”
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Rowling is currently producing a new feature film with a friend, which she says is the first step towards realizing her dream of owning a production company to pursue passion projects while acting, writing and traveling the world. “I want to be part of making things happen,” she says. “Being a producer and being involved in the creative process from start to finish is empowering.”
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