Phina Oruche spills Hollyoaks goss!
Thursday 04 November 2010
We caught up with the lovely Phina Oruche who plays Gabby in Hollyoaks for a quick chat about beauty, children, reality shows and of course all the backstage goss at Hollyoaks!
Are you enjoying your time on Hollyoaks?
Yeah, it’s a different way for me to go, like, I haven’t played a mum before. I had a break, obviously, to have a baby so it was quite interesting coming back. It was a different way to go to be a mum. The cast are so strong and I don’t think they get the credit they deserve for the talent of the cast. There’s a lot of changes you know, you’ve got to be on your toes, it’s fast.
It’s been a lovely technical challenge as well as, you know, “look I’m on TV!!!”, I mean obviously it is like that because I’m on every night on channel 4, but this is like my 26th drama. At this point I have to be challenged and this is probably the most challenging job I've had.
Especially with the twist of the second family…
Yeah, yeah…
Are you quite tight knit as a cast?
Yeah, you have to be… well, you don’t have to, but you are. I find that the people you are closest with are the people you work with the most. Like, I’m sure in Eastenders Kylie Babbington and Zoe Lucker are close because they see each other, it’s that kinda thing. That’s like me and Lydia, Shaun and Nick (Phina’s onscreen family). And Sheree of course, because we both have two-year-olds in the nursery we often bump into each other and it creates a bond. And, of course I live next to Bronagh Dauh [Cheryl].
Can you give us any gossip from behind the scenes?
It’s always the same, gossip gossip gossip. There’s so many people coming in and out as you know, Jamie Lomas is coming back into the role of Warren, so that’s getting everyone excited. To be honest the changes that are going to happen are going to start showing next week, there’s going to be a lot of changes.
Can you tell us if you’re safe in the blast?
Erm…. Yeah, yeah I am.
Your on-screen daughter Amber is set to become a teenage mum… how would you react if your son told you he was going to become a dad at a similar age? We know there’s a few years to go yet!
At 12? Wow. I mean, I didn’t become a mum until I was 38 and I didn’t feel grown up enough to be looking after a child so I guess It’d just be absolute shock. I wouldn’t know how to react.
Do you find it easy juggling being a mum and having a full time job?
No. But I’ll actually admit that. I feel as though I have the right balance now though, I have my husband and my son now and I have a job, whereas before it was ALL work work work. I feel like I definitely have the right balance for me. I actually feel like superwoman at times just because I get so much done!
What has been your favourite role so far?
For me, if I find a character that I love and can go places with then I’m happy. I looked at all the strong, black women on TV at the moment and they all have long, straight weaves, that made me stop and think, and the hair went! It’s pretty cold though! But yes, I really like Gabby, I feel I can do a lot with her, so I’m very happy at the moment.
You have your own film company and said plan to go back into directing when you get the chance, so do you prefer being in front of the camera or behind the scenes?
In front of the camera! I like it to be all about me. I like to be the center of attention, but at least I’m honest about it, I guess!
What would you like to do next?
Funnily enough I have a project that’s been in the pipeline since back in my Footballers Wives days. I’ve been so busy though, between shows and meeting a man, getting married and having a baby, but I would like to, when I get the chance to go back and finally finish that. I’d also like to do something to do with yoga, I have my qualification but I haven’t actually been able to do anything with it, I’d like to get the people of Liverpool fit!
Do you have a beauty regime? Do you think it’s important?
Can I be honest with you? I don’t have one. I should probably saw cleanse, tone and moisturise and everything but to be perfectly honest I don’t have one. I’ve been incredibly lucky that my mother has blessed me with her fantastic skin. I definitely haven’t earnt my good skin but I guess eating well and exercising well helps me feel good.
Do you find having a child helps you keep in good shape?
Definitely. I’d like you to see my child! If you saw the speed he gets up and out of bed and runs down the stairs and is here saying “look mummy!” and is then somewhere else two seconds later! I’m dreading it now because he’s getting near the age where he’s not going to need his naps anymore, I’ll be needing them instead!
Do you feel the pressure to stay in shape being in the spotlight?
I think anyone who says they don’t are lying, even if you feel like the pressure coming from inside, it’s always slightly influenced by the outside pressures. I did a feature with Closer and it was quite interesting that the 20’s age (Rachel Shenton who plays Mitzeee) said that as long as she was happy with herself that it doesn’t really matter what anyone thinks, and I found that amazing.
I think it’s just the times we live in, with a size zero culture, look at Marilyn Monroe she was a size 14-16 and people loved her for it! But the culture we live in makes that unacceptable, I saw that someone called her fat, which made me laugh. I just guess you only see certain body types on these shows.
Have you been watching X Factor this year?
I have! I really want Rebecca to win, the scouser!
Have you been watching strictly?
No I haven’t actually… Is Ann Widdecombe still in it? I love her, I definitely want her to win! I like it on these kind of shows when people of different ages and different sizes do well! Like John Sergeant a few years ago, he was amazing! I love the underdog, like I absolutely loved it when Faye was in I’m a celeb, it was fantastic.
You went in the jungle a few years back, would you consider going on another show, for example Strictly Come Dancing?
Hmmm.. see I lived across in the states for years before I came back and didn’t know anything about Strictly. I sometimes feel like I should’ve waited and done something like Strictly because they get to dress up and look gorgeous every week whereas when we were in the jungle it was very… stripped back, you know? At the time when I went on I’m a Celeb it was just a case of needs must and in these financial times you never know what’s round the corner, so I’d never rule it out!
Emma Greenfield
So what did you think of Phina's interview? Isn't she lovely! What would you like to see her character Gabby do in the future?