One on one with Sally Martin
We put the questions to new face Sally Martin who stars as nurse Nicole Miller on Shortland Street this September.
How did you get your role on Shortland Street?
I auditioned via tape from Wellington
How long have you been acting and how did you get your
first big break?
Professionally, since I was 15. My first 'big break' was being
spotted in a high school production - I'd never considered an agent
before I was sent to one.
Everything from then I booked by auditioning.
I started on Cloud Nine's The Tribe and Atlantis High when I was
16. Following this, Wellington based Gibson Group were fantastic to
me. I've worked on three of their television shows and on their
tele-movie Aftershock. I was a Power Ranger on the Ninja Storm
series with Disney and have worked on a couple of American films
and an independent film in New Zealand. I've also been in a couple
of ads.
Name three similarities between you and your onscreen character.
We're both blonde! Though I had long hair before Nicole came along. We both love people. We both love our work.
Which other character would you like to be and
why?
I'm content! Although Libby does have some fantastic shoes.
What are your hobbies/interests outside of Shorty
Street?
I love food and I love wine. I enjoy few things more than discovering a new recipe to cook for someone and choosing a beautiful wine to match. I relax listening to music or watching a film. Simple pleasures!
What is your favourite destination in New Zealand and
overseas?
We bought an apartment in Wellington at the start of the year.
So that's my favourite NZ destination at the moment. I also love
the Hawkes Bay for the wineries and weather.
I love Waimarama Beach in that area.
Overseas I'm drawn to anywhere warm and picturesque. I hope to travel the world - there are few places I don't want to visit.
Are you single or attached?
Attached - to my boyfriend Vaughan.
How many brothers and sisters do you have, are they older
or younger?
I have two older sisters - Gretchen and Bridget.
What is your date of birth and what star sign are
you?
14th May 1985. I'm a Taurus.
Do you have any pets?
Lennie the cat lives at the family home. Apartment living means I don't have any animals in either Wellington or Auckland. I really miss having a dog.
Who is the actor or actress that you look up to or admire
the most?
Many! Marissa Tomei, Jennifer Connelly, Sam Rockwell. Brad Pitt's great, so are Jack Nicholson and Meryl Streep.
What is the thing you enjoy most about going to work
everyday?
I love acting. It's a treat to do something I love everyday.
Have you made any good friends amongst the cast and
crew?
I'm new to Auckland and very new to the set, so I'm still getting to meet everyone. But everyone has been so welcoming, helpful and cool. It's a fun place to be.
What's the best experience you've had with a
fan/fans?
A boy in America sent me a bulk bag of Tootsie Roll candy. I must have mentioned I wanted to try them in an interview or something. What a winner!
What's the strangest experience you've had with a
fan/fans?
I've had odd fanmail. I was sent a disposable camera once, with a request to take pictures of my every day life then return to the sender in Italy. No thank you! Ditto to the little girl who very sweetly asked me to visit her in Texas where I could stay in the top bunk.
