SHE'S the young cool thing on the set of Hollyoaks. And, despite recently announcing that she will leave the soap later this year, it’s clear that Southend’s Nathalie Emmanuel - who plays Sasha Valentine - knows a thing or two about popular culture. So we grabbed her for a chat about her music loves, hates and what really gets her on the dancefloor!
What kind of music are you into right now?
“My favourite music is really urban like garage, funky house, R’n’B and Hip Hop. I love old school stuff too, like James Brown and Michael Jackson. My iPod’s full of R’n’B though.”
Who are your chart-toppers?
“I’m really loving Rihanna – I seriously can’t get enough of her! I can’t wait to see her live – I think me and my boyfriend will be the first in line to get tickets!”
When you’re back in Southend, what music venues to you hit?
“I don’t often get the chance to go out in Southend, but when I do I normally go to Mayhem. I actually went to Talk for the first time three months ago, which was really cool.
“When I go out I love dancing all night, but I like DJ’s that play everything.”
And what about festivals?
“I love going to festivals! I’ve been to V for the past two years in a row and I can’t wait for this year. I like V because it has every type of music and even though I’m not massively into bands, I still love the whole live thing – it doesn’t matter who’s on, I just like variety.”
So, are you into the whole ‘camping thing’?
“People always say: ‘But you’re on TV - I thought you’d be in a hotel!’ But I love camping because it reminds me of being a kid again.”