Meet Luvuyo Mpofu: Actor, Model & Writer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Luvuyo Mpofu and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Luvuyo, how do you think about risk?
Belief, hope and effort are the wheels that get the decision, to take a risk to set in motion. But, why even take that first step? Why even take the leap of faith and leave your comfort zone? These are questions I have battled with multiple times, however, the answer remains the same: because i’m hungry for it. The desire to grow as an artist has motivated me to take some of the biggest risks in my life. It’s about making the initial decision to charge after what you want, regardless of what if’s. I had to ask myself, what is my career worth? How far will I actually go for my craft? to answer that i had to remove the safety net. I couldn’t effectively take advantage of all the opportunities that were presented to me, with the psychological safety net of “oh if this doesn’t work out i’ll find something else”, My focus and motivation to push myself as a story teller was heightened after i removed the safety net. There is no plan B when it comes to my career, this is it. I needed to let go of the fear of what if things don’t work out and start putting belief, hope and effort in my decisions, Risk has taken me further than I could ever believe. But you can not take a risk without the hope that it will work out and the effort to make it work, once i understood that, the safe option started to not look like an option at all. It’s not about being ready to loose it all but rather being ready to give it all. When it comes to my passion of storytelling and acting, i’m prepared to give it absolutely everything, without hesitation.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
One thing I was not prepared for when moving to Los Angeles, was the amount of people you come across who are involved in the media industry in some way shape or form. It frightened me at first as I thought “wow they are so many actors, thats a lot of competition”, however i soon began to realise that they’re my peers and not competition, we are all on different journeys and are not running the same race. My journey, my experiences, my talent and my hard work sets me apart from everyone else, no one can bring out the elements I do to a character. Understanding that I bring something special to the craft, a different perspective, solidified my confidence. I’m extremely proud of my growth as an artist, not only as an actor. When I look back to where i was, having no clue of how anything works in Los Angeles, as compared to now, having an arsenal of short films out there. It was honestly a rollercoaster of a journey, which is far from over, if anything my trajectory is just beginning. They were months that would pass where I wasn’t working, and as an artist, that did not make sense to me, like how is there nothing to do? I had yet to realise the very power and control i have over my own career, If i want to see myself in movies, I have to put myself in them. I began writing the stories I wish to see myself in, and soon to be creating, directing and acting in those very stories. Being a storyteller to me is what’s the most important aspect of this journey, whether it be acting, writing, photography… so on so forth, my ability to tell stories is forever expanding. I am Luvuyo Mzilikazi Mpofu the South African boy who came to Los Angeles to share stories with the entire world, the learning never ends. I hope there is always something to learn and grow from. I am a multifaceted individual, I wish to take up space everywhere, in the world of comedy, writing, acting, modelling and producing. The world is my clay and I wish to shape it in to many different stories, stories that will touch people and have an impact.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Los Angeles has so many tourist attractions in which i’m still discovering but, this is a list of the things i would love to do and show my best friend:

1) Hike up to the Hollywood sign
2) Walk down Hollywood boulevard
3) Go on a stars tour
4) Walk down Rodeo drive
5) Shopping trip on Fairfax
6) Places to eat: Roscoes chicken and waffle, The Original Coleys, Korean BBQ
7) Go down to Venice Beach
8) Visit the Santa Monica Pier
9) Visit the Nicodim Gallery Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My mother had a huge impact on me and changed my perspective on what it means to actually go after what you want. Leaving my home country was a tough decision for me, a huge risk at that, they were a lot of grey areas and unanswered questions of how things will work out when i get to America. My mother was the one who calmed my fears and helped me understand that all the other pieces will fall into place when you put your heart, body and soul into what you are doing and having the full hope that it will work out. My place in my career right now is all thanks to the woman that raised me and groomed me into the person I am today.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/babyxchubbs/

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/luvuyo-mpofu-583b341a9

Image Credits
welcometorome