That's so Pam!
Rhythm City’s Pam Andrews talks French love, boob jobs and cuddling with Sylar.
Pam Andrews shot to fame in 2001 with her Coca Cola Popstars band, 101. She joined Backstage, then Tshisa, and now she’s Gail in Rhythm City. We chatted to Pam - who’s candid on everything, from her awkward teens to her cute French hubby.
What’s your full name? Pamela Hannah Andrews Thivilon.
Where are you from? I was born on 9 July 1985 and raised in Heideveld on the Cape Flats. My father was Xhosa. On my mom’s side my granny was Irish and my granddad coloured. I’m the second eldest of five. My mom was my best friend, except when I used to come home at 4am (laughs). I was a naughty teen.
What was life like growing up? We had lots of fun, such a big family in our small house. We were very close, but also quarrelled, especially when I stole my younger sister’s clothes after I lost weight. I was an awkward little girl and chubby in high school. I developed an eating disorder and lost a lot of weight – I mean a lot.
You’re okay now though? You can see I am (laughs). I eventually went to a shrink. Hey, we can’t all be normal.
Do you have any interesting childhood scars? When I was 12, we were playing outside and some gangsters started fighting in the street. Next thing I knew, I felt this warm burning sensation in my thigh and realised I had been shot. I still have a little scar left from that.
Were you always a performer? Always. As soon as I step out the door, I’m on stage. I liked to stand out. My mom says I was singing along and making gaga noises to songs on TV before I could even talk. It’s something I was born with. This is what I’m supposed to do.
How did you get into music? My mom and gran were both in a choir. I always sang at school and entered singing and modelling competitions at Westgate Mall in Mitchell’s Plain, but I had no formal training. I watched movies and listened to songs. Madonna and JLo were my teachers, they just didn’t know it.
How did things change after Coca Cola Popstars? It was overwhelming. I had money for the first time. I moved to Joburg, I was living on my own, I had become famous overnight. The amazing thing was, I was ready for it. My mom showed me some of my old diaries, and everything I had written in there had come true. It was like I had planned for it, and it was beautiful when it arrived.
How is Pam 2009 different from Pam 2000? I’m basically the same person. I’ve grown up though. I’m also a lot more confident. I always thought I was ugly. I used to cry myself to sleep at night. I think that’s why I started singing – to get attention – and why I always wore outfits that were risky and different. It was a mask. It was my way of hiding myself.
What’s been your worst fashion disaster? I wore a white dress to the SAMAs in 2005, and spilled red wine on it just before I had to walk down the red carpet. I cried and ruined my make-up. I ended up watching the SAMAs on TV and eating KFC in my destroyed outfit.
Tell us about your husband. His name is Cedric Thivilon and he’s a French civil engineer on the Gautrain project.
What was the first thing he ever said to you? “Oops!” We met on holiday in Mozambique. Everyone was doing tequila body shots, and he spilled tequila on my belly and said, “Oops, sorry,” in that sexy French accent. I don’t know if it was the tequila or love at first sight, but we’ve been inseparable ever since.
Was there a language issue? He barely spoke English and I speak English with a Cape Flats accent. For the first month we had no idea what the other was saying. It got better, but our friends laughed at us.
What attracted you to him? Oh my – those big, beautiful, brown eyes. He’s super-hot.
You got married last year? Yes, September. We just decided to do it. We went to court, signed the papers, had some champagne in the car, and went back to work. We’ve been trying to plan a formal wedding ever since. It will be small – we want to go back to the beach where we first kissed.
How’s married life? We’re still getting to know each other. So far it’s cool. We’ll see what happens when the first baby comes along and my ass is all the way out there (laughs).
Do you enjoy travelling? Yes. We’ll take a map of SA, close our eyes and take a stab – wherever we land, that’s where we’re going. We’ve made many friends all over SA. We love hiking.
You’re an outdoors girl? Totally. Look at my legs! Of course, I do it all in high heels and a little dress (laughs).
Tell us about the boob job you had in July – how are The Twins, as you call them? (Laughs) The Twins are treating me so well, and getting me lots of attention and work. Cedric got them for me for my birthday. It’s been a real confidence boost.
Pam’s favourites
What’s your favourite accessory? My new bras from La Senza.
How do you chill? I love watching a whole season of a TV series on DVD, eating junk food and cuddling with my dog.
What kind of dog do you have? We recently got the cutest Rottweiler puppy. We named him Sylar, after the villain in Heroes.
What are your favourite TV shows? I have the whole collection of Friends, and I’ve just finished watching Scrubs.
What’s your favourite party spot? Club Inc in Braamfontein. I also love sitting at Nino’s in Rosebank with my girls.
What’s your best asset? My ass. When guys look at me, that’s mostly what they’re looking at.
What don’t people know about you? That I’m actually quite private.
What’s the craziest thing you’ve done? Bungee jumping at Mossel Bay.
Who are your heroes? Madiba, Muhammad Ali and Martin Luther King.
What’s your most precious possession? A picture of me and my father before he passed away.
Your motto? There will never be another now, so I’ll make the most of today. There will never be another me, so I’ll make the most of myself.
Are you a Pam Andrews fan? What do you like - and loathe - most about the star? Share your thoughts in the box below.