An Interview with Tanit Phoenix

We chat up the sexy star of Spud.

We chat up the sexy star of Spud.


Your pictures in Maxim are hot – what’s the hottest thing about you in your opinion?


Thank you!  I get comments about my eyes quite often and the way I dance… being a trained dancer helps I guess.

You were given a ‘Dangerously Close to Stardom’ award back in 2005, you seem to be there now, what have you got lined up at the moment?


I finished filming Death Race: Inferno alongside Ving Rhames, Danny Trejo and Luke Goss, which will be out next year and also just finished Season 2 of Femme Fatales in Los Angeles.

Though you started modeling at 15, you grew up in South Africa. How did Spud and its plot resonate with you?


Spud follows the diary of a young boy in an all-boys boarding school, and I went to an all-girls school. Similarly both the character Spud and I had some interesting things happen while growing up. Funny enough the story of Spud originates in Natal, where I grew up, just being back home in the Drakensberg with my family and old school friends was so magical and it brought back some fun memories.

Spud’s a coming-of-age movie, have you got a coming-of-age story you could share with us?


My dentist instructed I needed braces on my teeth when I was 10 years old. The boys and girls mocked me nearly every day calling names like ‘metal mouth’. You can imagine how horrific that was especially as I was the first kid at school to get them.  For a young girl, it’s very humiliating. But, I had them removed before I went on to high school and then the tables turned, as the parents of those girls then thought it a brilliant idea to make them get braces. Having railway teeth at high school was even worse and meant no kissing any boys for a while. Oops!

Us Brits call potatoes spuds. Can you speak Afrikaan? If so, what’s potato? See we’re obsessed with the things!


Yes, Afrikaans is my first language, although you would never know, as my English accent has more of an American British thing going on from all my years of travelling. Spud means aartapple in Afrikaans.

Thanks for that – our knowledge of the Afrikaan tongue has increased to one word and we can ask for potato! We heard (sadly) you’re dating somebody, but if you were single what type of guys do you go for?


I am attracted to intelligence, a witty sense of humor, an adventurous outlook on life and spiritual awareness about one’s self and the world.  I like guys who are fun loving, sporty, sexy and loving too. Ha-ha!

Oh like us then… well-ish! And what’s the first thing you notice about a guy?


His smile, his eyes and his hands.

Hmm, we’re English so that’s the smile out of the window! So, what do you like a guy to wear?


Whatever makes him feel good! I am no fashion diva – I grew up on the beaches in South Africa and am a nature girl that spends a lot of time outdoors. Fashion speaks to me through an occasion. Sometimes I’ll take my man shopping and throw in my two cents and he listens to me. If we are attending a red carpet event, dressing up is a big yes, otherwise wear what makes you feel good.

We also read you’re a trained hypnotherapist (we’re under your spell already), but tell us how you’d hypnotize us and could you make us bark like a dog or be an evil circus clown on your command?


I am a trained hypnotherapist yes, but it’s more like a guided meditation. Most of the people I take under struggle with stress in their lives and have unbalanced sleeping patterns, so what I do enables my patients to regain energy and peacefulness on a subconscious level which effects their conscious mind. But, if you want me to make you bark like a dog, just say the word.

Woof! Your talents seem endless, we also read you train in Muay Thai boxing. What’s your deadliest move from the martial art of eight limbs?


I trained as a ballet dancer for 15 years, so I’d say my power comes from my legs, and Quentin Chong has me doing near impossible kicks as I am very supple.

In Thai you’re nak muay farang then – have you ever been to that part of the world and if you did how did you like it?


Thailand is my favourite holiday destination. I frequent as often as my work schedule allows. The people, the food, the beautiful jungles and beaches, I also speak a little Thai now. And my given name in Thai is Nang Fa (Lady of the Sky).

We heard you’re all signed up for Spud 2…


Yes, I actually just finished filming. The second film will be as funny as the first. John Cleese is a comedy genius and is a great addition to the movie. A must see for all!

Tanit Phoenix stars in Spud and is available to rent and buy now.