Christia Visser (born 2 March 1992) is a South African actress and singer. She received a SAFTA nomination for her performance in the film Tess (2016). She began releasing music in 2019. Her debut album Gemaklik Verlore (2020) was nominated for a South African Music Award.

Christia Visser
Born (1992-03-02) 2 March 1992 (age 32)
NationalitySouth African
Alma materStellenbosch High School
Occupation(s)Actress, singer
Years active2013–present
Notable workThe Perfect Wave
Spouse
Thomas Webb
(m. 2021)
Children1

Early life edit

Visser grew up in Swellendam.[1] Her father is a preacher.[2] After matriculating from Stellenbosch High School, she completed at two year Advanced Acting for Film diploma at Act Cape Town. She also received dance and classical vocal training.[citation needed]

Career edit

Visser made her professional stage debut in Nicola Hanekom's play Land van Skedels at the 2013 Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees and Aardklop. Her first films were The Perfect Wave and Hollywood in my Huis in 2014, the latter of which earned her a People's Choice award for Best Actress at the kykNET Silwerskermfees, and Ballad for a Loner and Last Ones Out in 2015.

In 2016, Visser played a young Alison Botha in the documentary Alison and the titular role of Tess, a film adaptation of the novel Whiplash by Tracey Farren. For her performance in the latter, Visser was awarded Best Actress at the Durban International Film Festival that year and nominated for Best Actress in a Feature Film at the 2017 South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs). From 2016 to 2021, Visser starred as Lillie Human in Die Boekklub, marking her debut television role.

Visser had main roles in the 2018 series Knapsekêrels and Onder die Suiderkruis.[3] She appeared in the Border War film The Recce. She had a recurring role in the second season of Fynskrif before being promoted to series regular for its third season.

Visser began releasing music in 2019, beginning with the singles "17 Shots"[4] and "Die Deur". The music video for "17 Shots" garnered over five million views on YouTube. This was followed by her 2020 debut album Gemaklik Verlore. Its release was accompanied by two more singles: "Kaal Voor Jou" and "Wildste Oomblik". That same year, she hosted Model for SABC 2.[5] Gemaklik Verlore was nominated for Best Pop Album at the 27th South African Music Awards.

In 2021, Visser joined the cast of Binnelanders for its seventeenth season as Yolandi, made a guest appearance in the BBC America adaptation of Terry Pratchett's The Watch, and starred opposite Francois Jacobs in the romantic comedy Kaalgat Karel.[6] She released the singles "Beste Leun Wen"[7] and "Kaapse Blou" in 2021 and "Handgranaat" in 2022.

As of 2022, Visser stars in the English-language M-Net thriller Desert Rose as Ishara, one of the Greyling siblings.

Personal life edit

Visser married Thomas Webb at Edendale Farm in Bonnievale in June 2021.[8] They have a daughter Kida, born 29 May 2022.[9]

Discography edit

Albums edit

Title Details
Gemaklik Verlore Released: 2020

Label: Sony Music Entertainment Africa

Singles edit

Year Title Album
2019 "17 Shots" Gemaklik Verlore
"Die Deur"
2020 "Kaal Voor Jou"
"Wildste Oomblik"
2021 "Beste Leun Wen"
"Kaapse Blou"
2022 "Handgranaat"

Filmography edit

Film edit

Year Title Role Notes
2014 The Perfect Wave Nurse
Hollywood in my Huis Jana van Tonder
2015 Ballad for a Loner (Afrikaans: Ballade vir 'n Enkeling) Young Lena
Last Ones Out Sunet
2016 Alison Young Alison Botha Documentary
Tess Tess
2017 Girl from Nowhere Liza
2018 The Recce Nicola Viljoen
2021 Kaalgat Karel Rita Swart

Television edit

Year Title Role Notes
2016–2021 Die Boekklub Lillie Human Main role
2017 Die Boland Moorde Ruschenka Season 2
2018 Knapsekêrels Addie Zimmerman Main role
Onder die Suiderkruis Jane Tredoux Main role
Dead in the Water Sparks Television film
2019 Die Spreeus Lianie
2019–2020 Fine Print (Afrikaans: Fynskrif) Adele Marais Recurring role (season 2); main (season 3)
2020–present Projek Dina Hanlie Recurring role
2020 Noughts + Crosses Nicola Williams
Model Herself - Host
2021 The Watch La Crème Episode: "Not on My Watch"
2021–2022 Binnelanders Yolandi Season 17
2022 Desert Rose Ishara Greyling Main role

Stage edit

Year Title Role Notes
2013 Land van Skedels Sussie Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees / Aardklop
2017 Altaar Al / Queen Bessie Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees

Awards and nominations edit

Year Award Category Work Result Ref
2014 Silwerskermfees People's Choice – Best Actress Hollywood in my Huis Won
2016 Durban International Film Festival Best Actress Tess Won
2017 South African Film and Television Awards Best Actress – Feature Film Nominated
2021 South African Music Awards Best Pop Album Gemaklik Verlore Nominated

References edit

  1. ^ "17 Shots". Roekeloos. 17 September 2019. Retrieved 23 July 2022.
  2. ^ "Christia Visser: "Ek is wie ek is..."". Voelgoed (in Afrikaans). 13 February 2019. Retrieved 23 July 2022.
  3. ^ Birjalal, Alyssia. "Christia Visser to act in SABC2 drama 'Onder die Suiderkruis'". IOL. Retrieved 23 July 2022.
  4. ^ Schenck, Catherine (3 April 2019). "Christia Visser gesels oor haar eerste enkelsnit, 17 shots, en die opwindende jaar wat voorlê". Rooi Rose (in Afrikaans). Retrieved 23 January 2020.
  5. ^ "Christia Visser to host new TV show 'Model' on SABC2". IOL. 28 September 2020. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
  6. ^ Engelbrecht, Renate (16 September 2021). "What you need to know about new Afrikaans romcom 'Kaalgat Karel;". Citizen. Retrieved 23 July 2022.
  7. ^ Breakfast with Martin Bester (16 July 2021). "Christia Visser takes on a BIG song and wows everyone with her talent". Jacaranda FM. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
  8. ^ "Christia & Thomas' Relaxed Farm Wedding". Michelle Bauermeister. 30 June 2021. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
  9. ^ Havenga, Franco (12 June 2021). "EKSKLUSIEF: Aktrise Christia Visser se eersteling is hier: 'Die lekkerste is die cuddles'". Sarie (in Afrikaans). Retrieved 24 June 2022.

External links edit