She wouldn’t change a thing if she could have a do-over, and Bella Kalolo-Suraj strongly recommends not being a dick.
A regular on Shortland Street as the beloved straight-shooting nurse Selina To’a, Bella Kalolo-Suraj has cemented her place in New Zealand’s screen industry. And now, she’s turned to non-fiction, hosting the upcoming 400 Weddings and a Funeral – a documentary that promises to be a “guide” to Pacific ceremonies, including what to wear, language, etiquette gifting and more, as well as explaining the significance of these ceremonies to Pacific communities.
She says she’s managed to make her childhood dreams come true, and tells The Spinoff she intends to keeping doing exactly what she’s doing.
People would be surprised to know this about me: My family never legally owned pets growing up but boy did we know how to summon strays. We were feeding 13 stray cats at the height of our stray cat cattery. Mum and Dad would buy cat food to mix in to our off cuts so we could feed them all. I am allergic to cats.
I’m most proud of: Seeing my mum graduate over and over again and literally achieve all she set out to do academically. She was truly one of one.
If I could have a do-over I’d change: Nothing!
This gets me really annoyed: When people with small cars have big car energy when driving down a road with cars parked on the side – they end up driving over the middle of the road and into the oncoming traffic lane like their car’s a Hummer. I’m literally saying “your car’s not even that big, bro” aloud every time I see this happen.
The great love of my life is: My Pandu. IYKYK.
When I was eight I wanted to be: A singer. I sat my mum down when I was four and exclaimed to her that a singer is what I wanted to be. Nothing changed between four years of age to eight years of age.
If I could reach back in time I’d give this advice to my teenage self: Don’t be a bots, hold your lips and don’t answer back. Cherish your parents more.
In 10 years, I hope to be: Still acting, singing and mentoring.
The thing I really fear: Is the loss of anyone in my family.
The last time I cried: Last week, it was my mama’s 21st anniversary heavenside.
My controversial opinion is: Michael Jackson is innocent.
This brings me joy: Spending weekends with my Pandu, having belly laughs, and human interactions where strangers become friends. I’ve had some beautiful encounters over the years where you might not see the person you exchanged a kind gesture with, but you remember how it made you feel.
I really shouldn’t do this, but… sometimes I’ll have something with gluten in it and it hurts my guts massively.
My advice for life is: Don’t be a dick. Oh sorry, I don’t think I can say that, let me rephrase that. A dick… don’t be one.
I recommend you read/watch/listen to: I know this isn’t really what was asked but I recommend that you read the room before you say something that could hurt or offend someone, watch out for your people and check in on each other, and listen to what your gut’s telling you, it’s usually right.
