Candice Modiselle Turns Down Acting Gigs to Focus on Roles That Glorify God

Actress Candice Modiselle, known for her roles in both local and international productions, is becoming increasingly selective about the acting gigs she accepts, saying she now turns down more offers than she takes. At 30, Candice has made it clear that her career choices are guided by her faith and her desire to honour God through her work.

In a recent interview with Daily Sun, Candice explained that she is not taking a break from acting, but rather becoming more discerning about the roles she takes on. “I’m not taking a break from acting because, for some reason, people think I’m taking a sabbatical. It’s not even that. I’ve just become very particular about the kind of roles that I do and for that reason, I say no more than I say yes. And then it looks like I’m not doing anything at all,” she said.

The actress, who has starred in several high-profile roles, including in international animations like Kizazi Moto and Panda Bear in Africa, admits that turning down work has been challenging, especially when the offers are lucrative or career-changing. “It depends on the weight of the opportunity. Sometimes, I look at a character and say I couldn’t play this character. But then you look, and it could be a global opportunity that’s a career-changing, trajectory-changing opportunity,” Candice explained.

Despite the temptation of career-altering roles, she remains firm in her convictions. “Sometimes it’s a little bit easier to say no because, in that particular season, I’m very comfortable in trusting God for the outcome,” she said. “If I look at the full scope and body of work and realise that it doesn’t glorify God, I’m okay to walk away. It’s tough, but it’s a muscle that I’ve developed.”

Candice’s journey in the entertainment industry has also led her to unexpected opportunities. She recently voiced characters for Disney, a milestone that still amazes her. “I didn’t know animation was an industry that was accessible to me. Every time you think of animation, you consider a really big platform, Disney, Nickelodeon, and I thought there’s no way little me, who grew up in South Africa, would get an opportunity,” she recalled. “Yet still, God has been so faithful in making it accessible. The fact that I’ve done a Disney production is completely insane.”

Looking ahead, Candice is focusing on personal growth in 2025, including working on her own projects and giving back to the community. “I’m finally working on my own projects, plenty in the NGO space. I want to create a space for young people to start reading again. I want to create reading labs and clubs for disenfranchised communities and forgotten spaces. I also want to do a reading competition, and I’m quite excited about that,” she said.