Dr Love is the cure-all
JERUSHA NAIDOO: HAS A STETHOSCOPE IN ONE HAND AND A MICROPHONE IN THE OTHER
Former ‘Coca-Cola Popstars’ contestant turned doctor goes back to singing.
Dr Jersusha Naidoo is making her comeback into the hearts of her fans.
Having made her musical debut back in early 2000s on a SABC1 talent search reality show, Coca Cola Popstars, this Durban-born sensation is undoubtedly a woman of many hats.
“I have always loved music, even as a child. Music is in my blood. My dad’s side of the family are all musicians where as my mother’s side is mostly academics.”
Young Naidoo became aware of her talent at the tender age of four when her father requested her participation in a high school musical performance of Shakespeare’s Macbeth. “It was for an adapted Bohemian Rhapsody version of Macbeth and really that is where my passion for the arts started.”
Blessed with both a beautiful voice and brains, Naidoo was a top-class performer even while she was a medical student.
In the early 90s, as the country was about to get its first black president, Naidoo and her siblings relocated to the US with their mother who had won a scholarship.
During this time, the soonto-be pop sensation found her groove in the R ’n B-pop genre, and from that day on she’s been committed to songs speaking specifically to those who believe in the good, the bad and the magic of love.
On returning to South Africa, Nadioo dedicated her time to ensuring her dream became a reality and in 2002 she auditioned on the talent search reality show, which put her on an upward trajectory.
“I was signed to Universal Music for my first two albums, which helped me work with artists like Loyiso Bala, Gareth Gates and other then up-and-coming artists.”
With her songs at number one across coastal radio stations, her medical career needed attention.
“I took a break from music for a while when I relocated to London.
“However, I found myself recording my second album while I was doing my residency.”
Naidoo settled in easily found herself wrist-deep in the Intensive Care Unit saving lives while humming her favourite songs.
Fast forward to 2017 and the young, now established doctor has moved into a corporate pharmaceutical position and is a wife and mother to a 20-month-old daughter.
“I am a mother, which is what I believe motivated me to get back into the music scene. Being pregnant was the most creative process for me.
“I recorded two singles during my maternity leave.”
In her final year of medical school at UCT, she fell head over heels in love with her oncology lecturer who couldn’t hide his affection for her and her angelic voice.
The two got married in 2007 and moved to the US where he had just got a job at the same time her album Jerushalem was released.
The couple has since moved back to South Africa and the birth of their first child inspired her to return to the music scene.
“I finish recording my album in Cape Town, which also happens to be where my in-laws are situated, so I will have enough support from them in terms of looking after my 20-month-old daughter.”