September Style Star: Sade Gilberti

We
got to know and love her as the cool young presenter on YOTV, but now we’re getting
to see a whole new side to former child star, Sade Gilberti. This sassy 23-year-old
has landed the plum job as host of SABC’s hit new reality show, So You Think You Can Dance and she’s
doing a damn fine job of it, while looking every bit the part.

Sade
says adapting to her new on screen look has been a new experience, considering
that she had to make the transition from funky, streetwise look to elegant and
glam, but she admits dressing up and feeling beautiful is fun.

Sade
has been on TV since she was seven years old and at 23, is one of SA’s most
experienced presenters, but it was her wise decision to take a break after YOTV
that has allowed her smooth transition to mainstream TV.

She
describes her personal style as the street
Sade Style and advises women to be comfortable in their own style.

Sade’s
career has taken her to some amazing places in the world and to places in South Africa
she didn’t know existed. She has lived a full life, but at the same time, she
still has such a long way to go as she reinvents herself while still being true
to Sade.

Introducing
gsport’s September 2008 Style Star, streetwise sistah, Sade Gilberti!

Sade, what an exciting assignment,
tell us how you got the opportunity to host So
You Think You Can Dance?

I
was asked by the producers to come in for an audition, after my audition I was
short listed within minutes of me leaving, about a month or so later, they
called me to tell that I got the part to Host the Show.

How different is this assignment
from what you¹ve done so far in your career?

Everything
I have done has been kid related; this is the first project I am doing that’s
for a higher age group and different market.

What are some of the other career
projects you’re busy with?

At
the moment nothing, I am just concentrating on SYTUCD, next year will be my
year of Projects.

How long have you been on TV and
how did you get your first break?

I’ve
been on TV since I was seven years old. I started out presenting a Christian
Children’s Show on TV 1 called On The Rock To be honest, I don’t remember how I
got the job hehe ….

Tell us about your time on YOTV,
what did you enjoy most about it?

YOTV
was one of the most amazing experiences ever, I loved every minute of it, even
on the days that I didn’t, if you know what I mean.

My
fondest memory about YOTV was going to Disney Land Paris when I first started
and I did the Business Trust Long Run in 2004 I think, and we did a trail from
the Kalahari all the way to the Kruger
Park … For me, that was
an experience no-one else could have given me. I saw places in SA that I didn’t
even know existed.

How difficult has it been making
the transition from children’s TV to mainstream TV?

To
be honest, I think taking a break is the best thing one can do in order to make
that transition … It’s not easy though, once you have been labelled a child
star, people will relate to that forever. I’m still the YOTV kid, and I will be
until I’m 50 hehe.

What have been some of your major
broadcasting highlights since you got started in this industry?

Doing
an Interview with Madiba and Will Smith!

What kind of challenges did you
face and how did you overcome them?

In
this industry there are lots of challenges and different one as well, it’s hard
to pin point them exactly. But at the end of the day u have to be professional
about everything and try deal with things in a certain way with out making a
situation worse.

Which,
may I say, is a lot of pressure on a child, because at the end of the day –
kids don’t really take a lot seriously. This industry teaches you to adapt to
your surroundings, I found myself maturing way faster than people my age.

Who are some of the TV presenters
you’ve looked up to over the years?

Cat
Deeley… it’s so ironic because she is the Presenter of the American version
of SYTUCD. I loved her since I was a kid and I saw her on MTV…

But
I heard that she’s a bit stuck up now, so it puts me off liking her. I can’t
stand people who are full of themselves.

You had quite a funky, streetwise
look on YOTV, but on your new show, your look has changed dramatically, how are
you enjoying the new-look Sade?

It
was hard to adapt to this new look in the beginning I wont lie. It’s not really
Sade you know, the funky streetwise look is who I will always be.

But
the fact that I can show my versatility is a good thing, plus I actually look
my age now – or should I say a little longer than I usually do … And I won’t
lie, dressing up and feeling beautiful is fun.

How would you describe your
personal style?

I’m
not too sure, it’s my own that’s for sure … I don’t copy fads … like the
odd thing here and there, yes, but I tend to mix into my own style. The street
Sade Style.

What are your favourite clothing
brands and where do you enjoy shopping for clothes?

I’m
not a major brands person … I used to be, but grew out of that very quickly.
I love Volcom, it’s my fave surf/skater brand. But other than that I buy
whatever, whether it’s from Diesel to YDE to Mr Price…

Which celebrities do you think are
the most stylish and why?

I
think David Beckham has got to be the most stylish man alive … He pulls of
Metro so so so well.

Do you have a beauty routine?

Not
really, no … I cleanse my face and moisturize and try my utmost best to take
make up off before I sleep hehe

What is your style advice to young
women struggling to find their groove?

Always
go with what makes u feel comfortable. It’s not about what other people think
or the name brand you’re wearing. Just like you need to be comfortable in you
own skin, you need to be comfortable in your own style.

If
you like to rip and sew and wear your own clothes, do so .. If you like to
reinvent an old style, do so … Eventually in doing that – u will find
something that’s so you, no one else can take it away from you or even copy it,
‘cos they wont be able to pull it off.

Which has been your most favourite
travel destination and why?

I
love London…
so so much.. it’s a crazy Town and super busy – I think that’s why I like it.
Like New York…
that’s my favourite as well… But I have added two new places to my list.

The
Netherlands and Scotland.. what
BEAUTIFUL countries … Friends people, and so much history … I’m mad about
history, so ya.

gsport strives to celebrate
femininity. How would you define femininity, and what role does it play in your
life?

Femininity
is one of the greatest things ever.. Women need to indulge in that. It’s the
one thing that makes us individuals, and different from men. I am not a very
feminine girl, but I have my girly moments and when I do.. I absolutely love em
…

How do you keep fit?

I
used to play soccer, or go to the gym … But now I do neither, so I treat
myself to the odd night out of dancing. It really works my body.

Who are your favourite sports
stars?

Oscar
Pistorius.

What inspires you?

People
who make something out of nothing, and never stop believing in their goals!

Who are your role models?

I
honestly don’t have any – but my dad has always been a person I look up to in
many different ways. He is an amazing person.

What is your greatest ambition?

To
be the best that I can be.