Edgy Danine in the house
Danine Naidoo is no stranger to the camera or the presenter playground. That’s why she is taking a shot at the title in The Search: E! Host Africa, writes
WITH over 18 000 followers on Instagram, it is safe to say Danine Naidoo has made a formidable impression on viewers. The 30-year-old presenter, who bagged a Safta nomination for Edge last year, is an extrovert. Aside from being confident in her skin, Naidoo is always full of beans.
And she is tenacious and a go-getter, both as a presenter and, when she isn’t in front of the camera, as a businesswoman/PR.
As such, it is unsurprising to learn Naidoo is among the eight contestants vying for the title as the first South African host of E! The six-part series is co-hosted by Terry Pheto and Andile Ncube.
The contestants find themselves in a bit of a Big Brother scenario as they live together in a luxurious mansion while tackling a series of weekly challenges… until the final two are left standing.
And you can’t miss her in that gorgeously-fitted David Tlale black gown, accentuating that svelte frame, in the promos currently flighted on the channel.
In a chat with Naidoo, she recalls how it all started. “So there was a call for auditions. An audition tape was sent through. It was taken to the respective teams in the UK and the States. A shortlist was made and the contestants were born,” she says.
“We had to look good, obviously. An E! presenter needs to well-groomed, full of substance and style. I decided on a red-carpet scenario.”
No stranger to the red carpet herself, she is au fait with what was expected and the questions that needed to be posed.
She adds, “Being in the industry and the vast experience I have had over the years since 2010 – covering a number of different scenarios and subject matter as a presenter – I am live trained. So being in that live situation doesn’t scare me. I bring confidence and an edginess to the table. I am always game.”
Expanding on the pressure that comes with being in live scenario, she said, “It is such a double-edged sword. You need to be chilled and make the best of that situation.
“When you look at it in the context of this being a reality TV search show, it doesn’t matter how willing and daredevil you might be. You are only human at the end of the day and you give it your best.
“It’s also an interesting combination in how people perceive you as a presenter with experience to you being thrown into different situations. It’s like you are starting all over again.”
Given that the contestants operate in the same entertainment zone, they know each other, or of each other. “Now we get to bond over the experience,” Naidoo says.
Asked what her objective was, going into the house, she said: “It was always to remain authentic and true to myself. I think no matter what happens in a competition, it’s always important to know that people see the real you. Also, you don’t know who else sees you and might want to entertain your presenting skills and personality for something else.”
She added, “We all know her as an actress and Terry is presenting it for the first time. It’s an interesting and refreshing combo with Andile and her.
“I took a very calm and collected approach. There were so many highlights.
“I think being in the house and not knowing what’s going to come next is going to make for great entertainment all round.
“I was honoured to be in the moment and the very first official E! presenter in South Africa. It’s definitely a career highlight.” The Search: E! Host Africa starts on Wednesday at 8pm on E! (DStv Channel 124).