Lorica Cooper Gets Emotional Over Groundbreaking Role in Paradys

Award-winning actress Lorica Cooper has spent most of her career in the public eye, building a name that has inspired a new generation of South African talent. With years of experience behind her, the respected star is now stepping into a role that she describes as both emotional and historic.

Cooper is gearing up to take on a lead role in Paradys, a new SABC2 weeknight telenovela set to premiere on February 23. The actress was recently spotted at the SABC2 new schedule lineup announcement in Sandton, Johannesburg, where one could easily mistake her for a teenager due to her youthful appearance. Speaking to Drum, Cooper opened up about why this project means so much to her.

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Throughout her long and successful career, Cooper says she has never had the opportunity to work on a production where she could lead alongside fellow coloured actors. This reality hit her hard, and she admits that she broke down in tears when she realised what Paradys represents.

“I broke down, because for the first time, I’m a part of a movement or a show that allows us to represent the minority. This is a historical moment for me, to have female leads in a production is awesome, it’s something that doesn’t happen often in this industry,” she tells Drum.

She adds, “It’s a milestone for us and my career.”

Being part of a production that truly represents a minority community has been refreshing and deeply fulfilling for Cooper. “I’m a part of a movement or a production that represents a group or a community of people who’ve never had representation on such a large scale,” she says.

The actress also speaks honestly about how coloured people are often portrayed on screen. “On shows, coloured people are represented stereotypically, and we all know what those are. I’m part of a show that represents a community of people in their authentic selves,” she reveals. Cooper says she is proud to be part of a story that focuses on humanity rather than reducing characters to racial stereotypes.

She also touches on the challenges coloured actors face in the industry, including being told how to speak. “In some productions, you are told not to speak Afrikaans in a certain way, that you must speak it a specific manner that appeals to a certain audience,” she explains. “So I’m happy that we have nothing like that in this production; we get to represent a community of people in their own original way.”

In Paradys, Cooper takes on the role of Rochelle, the matriarch of the family. Rochelle is tasked with bringing her family together and repairing broken relationships by finding ways to ensure reconciliation takes place.

“This role is teaching the importance of making decisions that are good for ourselves before anybody, and it also teaches that as people we make mistakes, but there needs to be reconciliation that happens,” she concludes.