It’s a long way from running around an Invercargill farm as a kid dreaming about becoming a movie star, to downing tequila with George Clooney at his Hollywood home, working on personal film projects and portraying one of the most iconic women in the world.
So, it’s no surprise that LA-based Kiwi actress Bonnie Soper frequently has to pinch herself, like when she found herself lounging by Clooney’s pool one night.
“My friend worked for him at Casamigos, the tequila company, and asked me to come and he was so relaxed and lovely,” the 27-year-old actress tells Woman’s Day.
“They were having this private Casamigos party, so he was hanging out with us and really friendly.
“Then at the end of the night, he was inside with his bodyguard, so I sat by the pool and just relaxed. That was super-fun, just thinking, ‘Wow, this little girl from a farm in Makarewa is here in LA [and] currently dangling my feet in George Clooney’s pool after having tequila with him!'”
It’s a dramatic transformation as Bonnie goes from Shorty to royalty, playing Princess Diana in a telemovie.
While the moment marked a fun high in the challenging plight faced by actors building new lives and careers in LA, the biggest pinch-me moment was yet to come for Soper, as she landed a once-in-a-lifetime role as Princess Diana in Harry & Meghan: A Royal Romance, a telemovie chronicling Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s love story.
The first photos of Bonnie as Diana wowed American media, who were stunned with the Kiwi’s striking resemblance to the princess, who died in a car crash in 1997. But for Bonnie, the impact of their likeness became clear on day one of filming.
“The most significant moment was walking on set in character. Just feeling like Princess Diana was incredible. People were actually so blown away by the likeness that they asked for photos because they were such big fans or their moms were. They’d get quite emotional about it! It helped me get into how Princess Diana must’ve felt and made me realize what a strong impact she had on people. I suddenly felt so honored and humbled to portray her … then thought, ‘Goodness, I hope I can do her justice!'”
While the film centres on Harry and Meghan, Bonnie’s small but significant role was “a highlight of my career,” having grown up seeing Diana on TV and in magazines. She never expected to play her and was surprised when she walked into the audition venue and found other actresses staring.
“One of them said, ‘I might as well just go home!’ Then in the audition, they said, ‘You’re just like her. Has anyone told you that?’ I was like, ‘Actually, no.'”
Bonnie describes Hollywood actor George Clooney as “so relaxed and lovely.”
While the role was somewhat daunting, Bonnie credits her time on Shortland Street, as nurse Morgan Braithwaite, for helping her develop the confidence to tackle anything.
“Shortland Street‘s such a fast turnaround show, so I learned to cope with any situation,” says Bonnie, who once had to film giving birth without rehearsal time. “It made me feel like no matter what the circumstances, I can handle it.”
After Shorty, she appeared in Filthy Rich, then made LA home, where she has worked hard, taking acting classes, developing projects and persevering through the cutthroat industry.
“You have to have down times in order to [appreciate] good times, so any big moment, whether it’s meeting George Clooney or walking on set as Diana, is a win. It makes everything – all the sacrifice and hard work – worthwhile.”
