'I make you forget I'm acting' — Gabi Tshabalala on her character in 'Love, Sex & 30 candles'

Actress Gabisile Tshabalala stars in her first Netflix movie Love, Sex & 30 candles, a role she says she manifested at the beginning of the year. 

The movie, adapted from Angela Makholwa's novel The 30th Candle, premiered on Netflix on August 18. 

The flick is trending in the top 10 in Mzansi and Nigeria. 

“I was going through my diary last year because I journal a lot. I think on January 20 during my fast last year I wrote down and I was like, 'God, I want to be in an international movie' and God made it happen for me. I'd love to do movies in Nigeria and Ghana and in America, but Africa comes first. I'm excited that not only South Africans get to see my talent but the whole world,” she told TshisaLIVE. 

The movie is centred on the lives of Dikeledi (Amo Chidi), Sade (Gabisile), Linda (Candice Modiselle) and Nolwazi (Bahumi Mhlongo), who are about to turn 30.

Their friendship is put to the test when Nolwazi falls pregnant with Dikeledi’s on-off boyfriend. Loyalties are tested and forgiveness is pushed to the limit. It’s only when Linda’s mom dies that the women realise what life is about: friendship.

Gabi's character is a lawyer who comes from a wealthy family and she aspires to get married and have children — the whole white picket fence dream. However, she encounters the opposite, tying the knot to a man who abuses her.

“This character was close to myself and a bit like my marriage, so it wasn't that difficult to tap into it. I just had to take it to another level. I experienced a bit of emotional abuse but not to the extent Sade did. I know a lot about narcissists, it was easy for me to tap into it because I've done my research and I know how they can make you think you are the crazy one and they just gaslight and love bomb you at the same time.”

Gabi said those who have not yet watched the movie should expect to see her tap into certain parts to make the character come alive.

“I take it deep with the emotions, I represent the abused women, I think that's the thing they must expect. I make you forget I'm acting.

“The thing I enjoyed most was the unity among us, there was no competition. We are just a diva gang, it's like we came from one household raised by the same parents. We have the same values, we are just there to support one another. Everyone was great, we wanted everyone to look good.”