Carissa Robyn Cupido
27 / Media Personality, Voice Over Artist & Content Creator
You’ve been in the broadcast industry for quite some time now…how did you get here?
I have been interested in media and entertainment for as long as I can remember. As soon as the opportunity to job shadow came around in grade 11, I approached a radio station and magazine to spend some time learning in their space. It was affirming and so enlightening. University wasn’t too long after, beyond picking my electives I knew exactly which societies I wanted to join. The University of Cape Town Radio and Cape Town Globalist were the ones I committed myself to. 4 years later I knew radio was exactly where I was headed. I would still travel by bus to campus radio after graduating with two degrees and zero in my bank account every other day to do my show in the hopes that someone would recognize my talent. Good Hope FM finally heard me and the rest is history.
What has your journey been like?
If there is any theme that’s been prominent in my career so far it’s the question I’m always faced with: “How badly do you want this?” It’s what kept me going through doing graveyard Monday to Friday 1am-4am in the morning for a year, it’s what fueled me when I bought a one way ticket to Johannesburg to pursue my dreams with no guarantee, it’s what gets me up in the morning today as I continue carving out my path. Ambition and drive is one thing but no one ever talks about how gruesome and grueling the process is. It’s been my greatest reward pushing through every obstacle, breaking down doors and shattering glass ceilings; I respect my calling but I would never glamourize the journey.
Your proudest moment so far?
I have many. My first commercial job being on Cape Town’s biggest commercial youth radio platform was a biggie. Soon after that I won TLC’s Next Great Presenter, being the first woman and South African to gain the title. I then became TLC’s official voice over for the continent. The show I co-hosted alongside Thando Thabethe, ‘Thando Bares All’, won a South African Film & Television Award. I was honoured to have hosted a show on Gauteng’s biggest youth radio station, YFM. Every move I’ve made has been intentional, divine and fruitful. I’m really grateful.
What have you promised yourself this year?
Something I’ve told myself for 2020 is that I am showing up for myself in action. I’m a big dreamer and have plenty of vision boards and notebooks filled with my dreams and aspirations. My approach now, though, has changed from fantasizing to doing. Instead of overthinking my way into procrastination and sitting for days thinking of the “what if’s”, I now act.
What’s a typical day like for you?
I’m a freelancer and work from home so routine is vital for me. I wake up and exercise. I shower and eat breakfast, something nutritious to fuel me. I make sure to not work from bed, so I’ve set up a designated place as my desk and work space. Then I just get stuck into my to do list for the day. Admin, brainstorming proposals, calls, meetings, castings, voice over work, content creation, etc. I then try to switch off at around 5/6pm.
If you weren’t in the industry, what would you be doing?
I would probably be a writer or working in the humanitarian space.
What’s your take on content curating in the age of social media?
It’s so important. The internet is flooded with information even more so is social media which is saturated with people trying to do something significant. Carving out your niche is vital. Curating your profile so that it authentically speaks to who you are and your interests will just help you in staying invested in what you’re doing. Never take your audience, building or establishment for granted. People can smell BS from a mile away. Just slay in your lane, man.
One true thing you’ve learnt?
Speak truth to power always. It’s landed me in sticky situations many times but not compromising who I am and what I am willing to do is something I’m not willing to budge on.
Any hidden talents?
I’m pretty artistic. I’m a great doodler.
Where can followers keep up with you on social media?
Across every platform it’s @carissacupido
Come say hi!
-Bridgette Makhela
bkoolmedia 