10 Things I Hate About You ft. Jana Babez
I’m a big fan of Jana Babez — one of my favourite people and my lockdown housemate during an insanely strict period of South Africa’s lockdown (the selling of alcohol and cigarettes was prohibited). Jana Babez is a Director at Southern Guild Gallery in Cape Town and a Michaelis (UCT) grad who majored in performance art. Not technically a major, but she did it anyway. There’s a Kanye line in there somewhere.
She spent part of her childhood in Namibia, shaped by two cultural icons: a Britney Spears CD and a Barbie doll. They’re still pretty central to her person. She even once made front-page news after getting pulled on stage by Lady Gaga at the 2012 Monster Ball, which feels very on brand.
A pop culture obsessive, an art world force, and full of contradictory complexities (her words, but true), she’s also one of the smartest people you’ll ever meet. Love her. I could talk about her for ages, but this is about her, so I’ll let her do the talking.
Jana’s Thoughts:
1. Something you're into right now
My family, inner peace, and Vyvanse. Maybe not in that order.
2. Something you’re not into right now
My phone number. You’ve caught me in Gemini season. Sorry, not sorry.
3. Your first-ever concert, age, and location
Valiant Swart. Rather not say. Riebeek Kasteel. Sy dra te veel eyeshadow...
4. Bad take you have
Voice notes should be banned. Longer than 30 seconds, it’s a podcast.
5. Go-to recipe
Now, this would assume I cook. Woolies Kids™️ Pasta Pillows, 200 g, 90 seconds in the microwave and you’re golden.
6. What perfume/cologne do you wear?
I like to layer! My signature scent is DKNY Women (basic, I know), but I pair it with whatever I’m feeling that quarter. Right now, that’s Blue Santal by COMME des GARÇONS, English Pear & Freesia by Jo Malone, and a Zara pavement special that I spray on the top of my head so everyone who hugs me is completely engulfed.
7. What’s your favourite plant?
A green fig tree, specifically the one from Sylvia Plath’s The Bell Jar.
“I saw my life branching out before me like the green fig tree in the story. From the tip of every branch, like a fat purple fig, a wonderful future beckoned and winked…”
8. Farm in the countryside or cabin in the mountains?
Dis lekker by die see.
9. What is your favourite drink?
Coke Zero.
10. What’s your death row meal?
My Ouma’s vetkoek, with extra butter and apricot jam.
