BY WINSTONE ANTONIO
AUSTRALIA-BASED gospel singer and actor Tarisai Kunashe Vushe has made significant inroads in her showbiz career as she has featured in a number of American television series.
The multi-talented Vushe landed her debut acting role in an American animated musical drama film, The Lion King Musical, in 2014.
Three years later, she took part in the Australian Idol singing contest where she came fifth.
The award-winning Vushe has worked with the who’s who of the Australian entertainment industry, among them David Caplice, John Foreman and David Champion.
She is currently riding high with a new single titled Mighty God that has an accompanying video.
Standard Style’s senior reporter Winstone Antonio (WA) caught up with Vushe (TKV).
Below are excerpts from the interview.
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WA: Apart from music, you have also been involved in acting, taking lead roles in American TV series such as Killer Instinct and Deadly Women. How did you manage to get those lead roles while you are based in Australia?
TKV: I have a casting agent that connects us to audition for the roles. That is how I got to be on Dark Minds and Deadly Women.
WA: How has been the transition from the stage to the screen?
TKV: I still act and sing. The transition is fine, but I still work on my acting techniques to enhance them more.
WA: You are an actor and musician, these are competing endeavours, how do you balance them?
TKV: The balance is not that easy. My singing is definitely stronger than my acting and still refining that skill to become a better actress.
There is a thin line and it basically takes time, but you have to work hard to master the technique.
WA: Landing that role in Disney’s The Lion King Musical where you had to play three characters, Shenzi, Rafiki and also being part of the ensemble, how was the feeling?
TKV: Being a versatile actor swapping roles was not easy. One afternoon you could be a hyena and the evening show you could be a baboon.
The change in characters was fun, but taxing mentally. The shift is quick. I reckon understudies have more work than ever. They carry the show and have to be ready at any point in time
WA: Racism is believed to be rampant in the showbiz industry, how have you managed to deal with it in pursuit of your career?
TKV: You got to have thick skin and stand your ground. I believe if you feel that you have been treated unfairly, express it.
It is very sad to think that some races think that they are superior to other races. Sadly, most western churches have become segregating trying to portray Jesus as if He stands for the Caucasians only.
It is happening in the huge charismatic churches. In some you never find ethnic people leading a song, but Caucasians in front which is an ignorant mindset that has to be prayed against.
It inhibits the gospel. Jesus is not for whites only, but for everyone and He was not white either.
Racism in churches is becoming a fashionable thing in the huge charismatic churches in the western world.
Sadly, you discover they probably last experienced a miracle five years ago because the presence of God is limited by their ignorant choices.
They inhibit the power of God by placing Him in a category and yet He is the ultimate creator of all beings.
WA: You have collaborated with Congolese artiste Luundo Rajbu, why did you choose him?
TKV: The song Sacrifice was my first collaboration with Luundo. I have learnt to work with other people.
I was raised as the only child so most things I worked on alone except when I work on theatrical shows.
That must have contributed to me wanting to do solos most of the time as I am so fussy about vocals, but I felt I had to let go and trust the process of working with others in songs.
It helps one to grow and interact with different musicians.
WA: You have studied music theatre at the Australian Institute of Music (AIM), has this been instrumental in shaping your career?
TKV: The best institution I have been to. They enhanced my vocals. Training assists you in discovering what you can do with your voice.
Mysteries were revealed at AIM for myself. I was not the perfect student, for instance, at times I could fall asleep in an acting class and my fellow peers would let me enjoy the sleep for the four-hour session.
Hey, but I turned out well in the end, such is life.
WA: Interesting. You have worked with gurus in the Australian entertainment industry, what value did they add to your music?
TKV: They have all contributed to my exposure. By the time I auditioned for Idol, I had gained so much experience on the stage and in the studios. It was then a walk in the park for me.
WA: Performing before a 50 000 crowd in Sydney in April 2010 at the launch of your debut single Head Over Heels, how was the feeling?
TKV: It was a great feeling as I went on to perform for larger crowds years later. It is an amazing feeling, but you enjoy it after the nerves have stopped hitting you.
WA: Your latest single Mighty God is making waves on the international stage, what motivated you to compose such a song?
TKV: The song was written by my friend Abraham Onyekachi and myself. We were going through prayers about a specific issue and it led us to the song release.
WA: Any regrets for venturing into the world of showbiz?
TKV: I don’t have any regrets because it is what God created me to do. I studied Psychology at uni (university), but this gift is my focus and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I was born to worship.
WA: How best would you rate Zimbabwe’s showbiz industry?
TKV: Zimbabwe has gifted people. My prayer is that they get more exposure to see what others are doing out there. It increases growth and opens us up more.
WA: How has Covid-19 pandemic impacted on your career?
TKV: Covid-19 stopped almost everything in the world.
Tours stopped. I was preparing to tour, but we all had to put everything on hold.
The grace of God has sustained us though. We hold onto Him that knows our future.
WA: Any projects you are working on?
TKV: I have my own show coming up soon. Excited and will dish out more when the time comes.
