Hulisani Ravele: Love the reflection that you see in the mirror. The self-reflection work isn’t always pretty, but trust, the end result is! That’s how one can be ok with embracing their real beauty and can post undistorted, unfiltered images. 🥰
I’m just girl, standing in front of you, basking in her authenticity, not asking you to love her, but instead asking you to understand that all that is required of you is to add and build on her self-love. That’s what it means to me to be a part of the @dove No Digital Distortion Mark movement. 💛
This year marked a few milestones for Hulisani Ravele. Not only did she turn 30 and grace the cover of Destiny magazine, but the star also celebrated 21 years in the industry. She talks to ZAlebs about growing up in the limelight, industry challenges and more.
How did the experience of being a child star shape you?
I think because I started out so young I have a discipline and respect for my craft and those that help me execute it, that many people my age don’t have. Well at least that’s what I hear from the streets! Lol! I also believe that the innocence of starting out as a child star protected me from not knowing this hunger and sometimes lust for fame. To me, it has always been a job, my work. The only difference is there are cameras watching me do it.
Why did you decide to go take a break from the industry?
My break from the industry was a forced one, really. I’d just come from YoTV and a lot of the feedback was “you’ve still got that kiddy thing about you”, so the break was not intentional by my plans but when I look back it did me and my career a world of good.
With just over two decades in the industry, what would you say is the biggest lesson you’ve learned?
The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that there’s enough for all of us, just run your own race and stay true to who you are and what is meant for you will come to you.
What are some of the challenges you’ve faced in the industry?
There are many challenges, but I’d say the top two have been facing rejection and money management. The latter took me struggling to make ends meet at the end of a month to wise up and just be like “bathong, but this is not my portion in life!” I’m getting better at that. As for rejection, my faith and spiritual growth have been my saving grace. I know when I don’t get something that it wasn’t for me and that what is meant to be mine won’t miss me. That’s not to say that I don’t sometimes feel sad or defeated when I don’t get a job I really wanted, I do, and when that does happen I allow myself to feel the emotions, cry my tears, have my pity party, and then it’s done.
You’ve reinvented yourself over the years, please take us through that process and how it’s been for you.
Well the name change helped a lot, lol! That was the first big step, going from CC Ravele to Hulisani Ravele. Then it was about defining what it is that I am about, and the culminated in my mantra of Purpose, Power, Impact. This mantra is my blueprint, if a project or a partnership does not speak to one or more of these three pillars, I know it’s not for me and I keep it moving.
I think my greatest strength in my reinvention was knowing what I want, what I don’t want, and then, most importantly, being able to say ‘no’ to whatever didn’t align with me. Even if that meant losing out on income.
Source: Zalebs
