Jessica who is popularly known as Qondi on the Mzansi Magic soapie Isibaya, received a baptism of fire when she had to present an episode featuring a Nigerian couple's wedding last week.
"It was quite challenging. It was not easy at all but because of my tough upbringing and the fact that I can take the best out of a difficult situation, I managed to pull it off," said Jessica.
"Don't get me wrong, I have Nigerian friends and I love Nigerians like any other person I've had close encounters with. Actually, there was no culture shock or anything of that sort. I'm used to the Nigerian way of life."
Jessica who confesses that she adores weddings, said the only person who was difficult to work with was the bride. "She was not at ease. She gave the whole crew the run around. She was a bit difficult. But the groom was lovely. He was all chatty and wanted to get things going even when the MC failed to arrive on time."
"I did expect some drama because I've been watching the way Thembisa Mdoda (who is on leave) handles tricky situations," she said.
Jessica, whose biggest break was being cast on Isibaya, said her current role playing a queen has uncovered a trait she was unaware of - that she could be gentle and tolerant.
"It's not bad at all playing a queen. I have to behave and carry myself in a certain manner to earn the respect of my subjects. I have to keep the royal aspect of things real."
-This story first appeared in Sunday World
Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package. 