Boity Thulo A queen celebrates her decade-long career and millions of followers
SHE HAS MILLIONS OF FOLLOWERS ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND A DECADE-LONG CAREER. BOITY HAS REDEFINED WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A QUEEN.
WWhy star in a reality Tv show?
i was in the right state of mind, and at the right age, to show my supporters my true personality. i was ready for whatever reaction it would receive, positive or negative.
did you have any initial reservations about doing the show?
i’m a private person who usually shies away from revealing too much of my personal life on social media or in interviews. As long as you’re in this industry, you barely get to keep anything to yourself. even though i’m used to being in front of the camera, having them in my home took quite an adjustment. i was strict about the areas the crew could access. The only rooms you’ll see on the show are my lounge and kitchen. No one was allowed in my bedroom or bathroom because boundaries were important.
you said it was time to be open about who you are. Has the media misrepresented you in the past?
For a long time, the media put me in a box. They created a character to fit their agenda, instead of representing me accurately.
That box still exists, and the media has got it wrong a few times. it’s not that they’ve painted a horrible picture of me; it just isn’t accurate. Most of the time, you’re not in control, because the media pushes their agenda so much that readers and viewers end up believing that what they’ve seen or heard is true. You have to play along to an extent, never really getting the chance to say, “Hey, guys. That’s not who i am.” Own Your Throne gives me that platform. it’s an opportunity to take control of how my story’s told, even if it’s only in 30-minute doses.
What keeps you motivated?
My family and my spiritual journey are at the core of who i am.
How do you know who to trust in the industry?
To be honest, you don’t. You never know, and i think that’s true for everyone, regardless of the industry you’re in. The best thing, for me, has always been to move with people that my energy feels comfortable around. When i connect with a person’s energy, i tend to keep them around.
What inspired you to try music?
Funnily enough, the people i’m closest to weren’t surprised when i made the shift. Most of them said, “Finally!” This was despite the fact i’d never discussed it with them before. it wasn’t, like, one day, i said i wanted to be a rapper – i’ve never said that. i’ve always loved music; rapping and singing along with artists i like, or performing for my friends and family. So, i took a chance. it was supposed to be one of those situations where i was, like, i’m just going to do this one song, and we’ll see how it goes.
not only did your first single ‘Wuz dat’ go platinum; you were the first south African woman to achieve this status. That must’ve been a career highlight.
Absolutely! That was crazy because it wasn’t even something that was on my prayer list. i didn’t even think i was ready for it yet; i’d only released two songs.
What do you love most about creating music?
expressing different sides of my personality and having an alter ego. in a song, you can say the things you wouldn’t necessarily say across a dinner table or during an interview. You get to have any personality and be any alter ego or character, which is liberating. No one can correct you or say this is how you’re supposed to act because you created that character. i think the most incredible thing about rap, and music in general, is that you can give people whatever you want to give them and they have to accept it as is.
do you plan to release more music this year?
New music is, without a doubt, on the cards this year, as it’s what i’ll be concentrating on after the show. Maybe an album as well – that would be great.
What has the music industry been like for you?
it’s had many lows but also amazing highs. it’s weird because even though i’ve been in the industry for ten years, it’s only now that i’ve grown up that my headspace and the way i see things is clearer and i know who i am. it almost feels like i’m starting all over again in
the industry because now that i’m a different person, the way that i approach things and what i want to accomplish isn’t the same either.
name the female icons who’ve inspired you.
i was obsessed with the idea of what Oprah represented. Her aura and energy are attractive, as well as how she does things and what she stands for. i wanted to emulate her, even though i wouldn’t fully grasp who she was until i was older. She reminds me of my grandmother, who’s also nurturing, inspiring and hardworking. Then there’s Rihanna and Beyoncé, who represent strength, power and beauty, for young black girls especially, making them the ultimate girls for life. For me, the very idea i could become something even remotely close to what they are is exciting. i can’t wait to meet them and, hopefully, work with them.
Why’s giving back to young people important to you?
i’m conscious of the fact my followers are young. i must be mindful of what they see me do because, whether i like it or not, to a certain extent i’m a role model to them, which means they’ll try to emulate or copy lots of the things i do. We don’t have to physically sign any papers to say, oh, i’m a role model, but i believe it’s inevitably our duty, as public figures, to be mindful of our actions. We must show our younger audience that to show compassion, build others up and offer your help should be as important as achieving your goals and being successful. i’ve always been the type of person who’ll help, without having to think twice, if someone’s struggling or lacking in some way. By doing so, i hope to influence other people to follow me in the same direction.
do you think compassion is learnt or inherent?
everyone’s capable of it, but it’s their choice to express it. There’s a story my mom likes to tell. it was my fourth birthday party. in the townships, we pretty much invite everyone to celebrations, so you’d have all these kids who’d just show up. i remember there was this girl, and you could see she didn’t come from the best background. i mean, none of us did; our grandparents and parents did the best they could. But her family had just dressed her in whatever they had. it didn’t make sense to me that i got to wear my nice dress and feel excited, while she didn’t have anything. it meant she couldn’t share my experience with me. i was four years old, so i didn’t think it was weird to think that way. My mom says i went to my cupboard to look for my favourite dress, and i made the ➻
“To show compassion and build others up is just as important as being successful”
girl change into it so that she could also feel as comfortable and joyous as i did. i’ve carried that story with me all these years. i give back because i understand what it’s like not to have nice things. i’ve been there, so i don’t have to dig deep to relate to not having money or being in need. i’ve lived experience of needing help, having had to borrow R200 to get by. But the other reason is, why not? Why shouldn’t i help if i have the means?
I fully understand and admire the sentiment, but aren’t you afraid people might take advantage of your kind nature?
People often ask that, and my response is always the same. it’s between them and their god, karma, and the energy they choose to put out into the universe. My role is to assist people whom i honestly feel need help, and if they take advantage of me, i’ll remind myself that from my side, the transaction is genuine.
some people say the younger generation lacks the desire to work hard to become successful while others have praised its entrepreneurial spirit. What do you think?
The younger generation has grown up in a more liberated society, so they’re outspoken and feel like they can demand whatever they want – which is both good and bad. Many young people have that drive to succeed. They’re out there working hard, have side hustles, and are searching for new opportunities or creating their own.
These days, plenty of things are easily accessible. The fact we live in a digital world means you can make money from doing nothing, and there are so many avenues you can take that don’t involve breaking a sweat. So, i understand, to a certain extent, why some believe young people lack drive. i’m not saying there’s anything wrong with it because you don’t always have to make money through blood, sweat and tears, but i think today’s youth hasn’t had to grasp the concept of starting at the bottom and working your way up.
Anyone can become a Youtube sensation without having to leave the couch, which has become the norm and made the idea of fame seem attainable. So, young people tend to attach expectations to that. ‘This should be easy. Give me the chance now because i want instant success too,’ they think. it leads to a sense of entitlement and lack of effort.
you’re a qualified traditional healer. A few years ago, when you announced that you were starting your spiritual journey, the public responded negatively. did you regret sharing this important aspect of your life?
i don’t have any regrets about letting people in. i took a huge risk because back then people wouldn’t have revealed much about this aspect of their lives, preferring instead to keep it private. it was part of my spiritual journey to be open about it. i wasn’t doing it for attention or to boost my career. i’m glad that i did it because as the year progressed, people were inspired, young girls who are on a spiritual journey especially.
it was to challenge mainstream beliefs about traditional healing and show people there was nothing to fear.
it’s crazy to think that now it’s normal to talk about it openly, on
“I give back because I understand what it’s like not to have nice things”
the Tv and radio, and there are even sangomas on Twitter. i’ve played a role in making it an open discussion instead of denying it in public or not talking about it at all.
you wear many hats – presenter, model, businesswoman, actress and musician. How do you juggle it all?
i don’t feel like i’m juggling a lot. The music process has engulfed me, and i’m enjoying it so much i don’t have time to present as well. i move from one space to the other, giving each one my undivided attention. i’ve had a few opportunities to get back into acting and, from the bottom of my heart, i’ve said i’d genuinely love to, but i don’t have it in me right now. So, i think it’s more about having a sense of order than juggling multiple things at once. i give myself time and listen to my spirit.
This is a different look for you.
You know what? i’ve always been someone who likes to go with the flow. it was a matter of, OK, i trust the creative directors, and i trust their vision. it’s different, and people might be, like, what the fuck? But it also looks fun and shows off another aspect of my personality. i haven’t done something different in a long time, and this proved to be the perfect time to do it.