They say never meet your heroes. For Brazilian-Kiwi actor Keven Souza, it’s advice he happily ignored – even if his idol ended up murdering him on TV! When Keven was a guest star on local drama series A Remarkable Place To Die, he was excited to be working alongside South African-born actress Nathalie Boltt. He’d loved watching her as evil mum Penelope Blossom on Riverdale.
“I’ve never felt starstruck before, but it was crazy working alongside Natalie,” Keven grins.
“I couldn’t believe it when I found out she was going to whack my character over the head and kill him. In real life, she was so humble and sweet, and even gave me the gossip about the scene in the States.”
Keven’s role as a Brazilian on a working holiday in New Zealand is his most high-profile to date. He’s delighted his experiences on the murder mystery, set in Queenstown, have given him an insight into what life as an actor can be like.
Early set experiences
“I got a taste of being flown to set, being in beautiful scenery and with all these amazing actors,” he enthuses.
“A month later, I was back in Auckland working part-time at a restaurant in the city – an artist’s life can be hard!”
Career highlights since graduation
Since graduating from The Actors’ Program in 2022, the 24-year-old has appeared in the comedy series Spinal Destination and the award-winning web-series Sky Tower and Sui Generis. He has also written, directed, and produced plays and short films.
This year, he’s also been part of a social media series called d8talk, about Gen Z dating in Aotearoa. One of 38 young people interviewed about their dating experiences in the initial phase, he became one of six diarists. They delve deeper into the relationship rollercoaster through personal vlog-style updates.
Breaking the silence on sex and dating
“Sex and dating isn’t talked about very openly here,” shares Keven.
“Coming from Brazil, I couldn’t understand the shyness some Kiwis have.”
As a bisexual man, he wants to empower other young people to be confident in who they are.
More than just sexuality
“When someone asks me to tell them about myself, my sexuality is not something I mention, not because I am ashamed of it, but because I am so much more,” he reveals.
“I realised very quickly if someone is bothered by who I love, I don’t really care.”
One of the biggest things he has learnt from participating in d8talk is to continue being “unapologetically proud”.
Dating advice for young people
He muses, “If I was to offer advice to other young people in the dating world, it would be to explore and find out whether something is for you. You don’t have to explain yourself to anyone, or label yourself, if you don’t want to.”
Keven’s confidence in who he is comes from his upbringing. The Auckland-based actor says he is lucky to have the full support of his family to pursue an artistic career.
“In many traditional Brazilian families, whatever your parents want you to study, you do it, but my parents have always been very open to me wanting to be an actor,” he explains.
“They highlighted the realities – I knew it was going to be hard work.”
Although he was born in New Zealand, Keven and his sister Karen were sent back to Brazil to be raised by their grandparents. Their parents worked hard in Aotearoa to build a life for them on their return.
Returning to New Zealand
When he was eight, Keven returned to NZ, accompanied by a cousin and his aunty Magna Martins, who “taught me a lot about love and life”. Although his parents separated when he was a child, he says it was a positive experience. He ended up being surrounded by strong, caring women, such as his mum Marilene Pereira and stepmother Alana Hawes.
“My mother and I have a very special bond,” he tells.
“Like most Brazilian mums, she’s so selfless and put her own dreams on pause for me. Alana’s someone else I constantly go to for advice. It’s great to have her Kiwi perspective and opinions on things.”
Discovering a passion for acting
Despite wanting to be a lawyer while at high school in Christchurch, Keven can pinpoint the exact moment. He knew he wanted to star on the silver screen.
“In Year 13, I was asked to audition for a scout’s camp theatre production and won the role of Jesus. Once I got on stage, I knew acting was what I wanted to do.”
Check Keven’s dating tales out on d8talk.nz.
