WeeklySA_AdminBRICKBATS: All eyes are on the ‘Real Black Pearl’ as the high-flying South African actress gets ready to take the hotseat at the Comedy Central Roast…
By Priscilla Malinga
Actress, media personality and businesswoman Pearl Thusi is getting ready to be the butt of cruel jokes. Unsurprisingly, she has bravely agreed to be in the line of fire at the upcoming Comedy Central Roast served by Smirnoff Spicy Tamarind. The roast will be taking place at the Gold Reef City’s Lyric Theatre on November 21, and broadcast on Comedy Central (DStv Channel 122) on December 8 at 21:00.
Personalities previously sacrificed on the court of jesters have included Kenny Kunene, Somizi Mhlongo, AKA and Khanyi Mbau, whose egos were visibly left bruised in front of a live audience, having absorbed a relentless barrage of barbed insults from their supposed tormentors.
Now, Pearl “Queen Sono” Thusi has offered herself as a sacrificial lamb on the same stake on which Randall Abrahams, Busiswa and Farieda Metsileng were public ‘peeled.
Pearl Thusi is undeniably a powerhouse – and she’s known to be not scared to voice her (often controversial) opinions. Her outspokenness seldom fails to divide fans and ruffle feathers, yet she remains unashamedly Pearl.
She is also known for not mincing her words, always ready with a spicy comeback and for not conforming to traditional ideas of what “good girls” should do – often landing her in hot water in the court of public opinion.
Will she take the jibes to the chin? It remains to be seen whether she can take as much as she can give.
Durban-born Pearl is no stranger to the spotlight. A former beauty queen, she has risen to renown and stardom first as a TV show host and subsequently through roles in local and international productions such as Catching Feelings, The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency, Quantico, Kalushi, Fistful of Vengeance and Zone 14.
A 36-year-old Pearl is a successful brand ambassador (including being the first African selected to collaborate with MAC cosmetics) and entrepreneur – and has recently branched out on to the deejay scene.
Last year, not for the first time, she broke the internet by wearing a sheer, nipple-baring outfit that left very little to the imagination – and then vigorously defended her right to celebrate her body in her own way. What will her roasters have to say about that? Nothing will be sacred or off limits in the Comedy Central Roast of her.
“After many years in the entertainment industry, I’m no stranger to pressure – and I’m fully prepared to handle whatever the Roasters throw at me. So, believe you me, when I say I’ll bring my A-game for this one,” says Thusi.
“Returning to the Roast, this time as the ‘roastee’, I’m looking forward to having fun on the hotseat and giving as good as I get. If the Roasters think they will get me to squirm, they have another thing coming,” she warned.
Monde Twala, senior vice-president and general manager at Paramount Africa, and Lead at BET International, says, “Pearl Thusi is one of South Africa’s rare and precious gems, who has illuminated our screens and airwaves with her radiant presence and style. But, as we know, in the world of Comedy Central roasts, when celebrities’ claws are borne and the knives come out, nothing – and no one – is sacred.
“So, we are looking forward to seeing the Black Pearl show off the mettle that has propelled her to where she is today. We have no doubt she will be showing her Roasters the spiciest of flames on the night,”
Smirnoff Senior Brand manager Vuyisile Dlepu says, “For us the partnership with the Roast was a no-brainer; we know South Africans look forward to the show and all the shots fired on the night, what better pairing than the unique flavour of Smirnoff Spicy Tamarind? Pearl is the perfect combination of beauty and brains. She’s smart and sassy, and great at thinking on her feet.”
“We are sure she is not going to be anyone’s pushover – and when it gets spicy on stage, it’s going to make for brilliant TV viewing! On the other hand, Smirnoff Spicy Tamarind is spicy but fun; and it’s cheeky – you either love it immediately or you need to get used to its bite. We look forward to opening the door to let South Africa be part of all the fun,” adds Dlepu.
For those who are keen to be part of the hilarious, back-biting live action, the Comedy Central Roast, tickets will be available via Webtickets.
