Calvin Demba is one of Hollyoaks new young stars, playing slacker and every man, Scott Sabeka. As he settles into his new role, Pride caught up with him to chat about his character on the soap, music and the importance of toilet paper.
How did you get your role on Hollyoaks?
I auditioned on a few London auditions. First I auditioned for Jono and Neil but then finally got given the part of Scott. Scott originally was supposed to be from Manchester but I’ve got a London dialect so they changed it for me which was quite complimentary. I felt really happy with that.
Tell me a bit about your character.
Scott is very laid back, he hasn’t got any real features that stand out; he’s quite cool and calm. He falls in love with his best mate’s girlfriend, and that’s when it gets more complicated and that’s when you can see the sensitive side of Scott. He is selfless, he will do things for others before himself, which just shows he isn’t selfish and an all round happy person.
Would you say you’re anything like your character?
I think there are characteristics of myself in my character, which is probably why I got cast for it. Sometimes I think I can be as laid back as Scott. However Scott lacks drive and ambition, and I’d like to think I’m very ambitious so where that’s concerned – we differ. I’d like to think sometimes I’m as soft as my character and selfless too, that would be nice!
Do you have a favourite character on Hollyoaks?
My favourite would probably be Brendan played by Emmett Scanlan, mostly because he’s such a powerful character and has achieved a lot on the show since he’s been here. He hasn’t been on the show as long as some of the other cast members but he’s established himself really well. I think he’s quite a good role model. And, he also does really powerful things with his eyes, which is quite creative, like when he gets a script he always adds sometime new to his character which wasn’t ever scripted in.
If you can work alongside any actor/actress who would it be?
If I wanted to get recognised it would be someone like Tom Hardy, he’s my favourite actor right now, he’s been my inspiration. I’ve only been acting a year now and was really fascinated by him after watching the drama series ‘The Take’. I think he’s great, he’s doing big things and he’s only 30! He has two films out this year and is really making his mark and I just think if he can do it, so can I.
Tell me what’s on your iPod right now?
I listen to a lot of Grime music and UK rap, it’s what was relevant to me before I did acting. But I do like old school hip-hop, so I have a lot of Tupac and Biggie. I listen to Bennie Franks and K Koke, they are quite good. But then again I listen to James Brown and Mo Town as well to chill out. There are so many things, my music taste is versatile!
Who’s your favourite Grime artist right now?
Probably right now Bennie Franks. He’s one of my favourites, I don’t think he’s commercialised yet. But if I was to go with someone more commercial then it would have to be Tinie Tempah, he went to the same college as me as well. He’s a lot older than me and I rated him a lot.
Name three things you can’t live without?
I can’t live without my family, I think they’re essential to me. My mum especially, since I’ve moved to Liverpool she motivates me to crack on with things and cheers me up whenever I feel down. Secondly, my phone because that’s my main way of connecting to people, and finally myself because with my personality I can cheer my own self up.
What’s your favourite TV show?
I was quite into Skins and Misfits, but my favourite is Only Fools and Horses.
Who are your favourite fashion designers?
Fashion designer? I haven’t got a clue you know! I’m not really into fashion. If you see what I wear you’ll know for yourself.
Have your ever had a date from hell?
I’d like to think I’m charismatic enough to turn the date around if it was going downhill. I have had one or two no shows; you know when you put the effort into calling and texting, giving it large on Facebook. Telling your pals your meeting someone, then you end up outside McDonalds just waiting for the bird, and you realise no one is coming, pop into McDonalds and get a double cheeseburger knowing that its flopped. It doesn’t get worse if the person don’t turn up!
What do you consider the most underrated thing in the world?
I’d say toilet roll, obviously you need toilet roll, and no one really pays it the respect it deserves. If you haven’t got any toilet roll… it’s a problem! What would you do? Turn to the newspaper? It’s a dilemma, if you haven’t got that, you haven’t got much. That needs to be paid some more respect. Hands off to all the toilet roll companies!
What’s scares you the most in the whole world?
Probably being unsuccessful, that always looms in my head. I’m quite critical of my work, I always question if I’m doing things right or if it could be done better.
When was the last time you cried and why?
I haven’t cried in a while, don’t get me wrong I do have a sob every now and again but I just don’t remember it. One time I cried was when my Nan’s dog died. To me that was pretty emotional, two Pitbulls attacked him, then they dragged him under a fence and one bit his neck. I just remember my Nan’s dog crying out and I tried to jump over to save it, but it was too late, he was only a little Jack Russell.
What’s the most absurd rumour you’ve heard about yourself?
I’ve heard a few things, but I think I’ll have to give this question a miss because some of the stuff I’ve heard is just crazy!
Do you ever Google yourself?
I think we both know I’d be lying if I said I didn’t. Every now and again I like to check on myself, see if I’ve got rated anymore. I do it on a sly when my mates are out the room. Sometimes my life is a bit surreal, so when I Google myself its reassurance that everything is still happening.
Tell me something we don’t know about you?
My nickname is Cookie because when I was little, I used to watch Sesame Street and I could never pronounce my name. So I picked up ‘C is for Cookie and that’s good enough for me’. I’d like to think they call me Cookie because I’m proper sweet like a cookie. So scrap that Sesame Street thing!
If I weren’t an Actor I’d be…
I use to box a bit, and played a lot of football, but I wanted to be a fireman that was my dream. You never know with acting, its always up and down, so I might still be a fireman one day. That was really what I wanted to do, a sport or being a fireman.
Catch Calvin playing Scott in Hollyoaks, weekdays from 6.30pm on Channel 4.
