Method to madness of Moonchild
‘I’m not all bum, all talk and no brain’
One thing you should come to terms with before you have a chat with Moonchild Sanelly is that she is not a conventional interview subject.
For the most part it’s because the musician, known for her collaboration with Beyoncé on My Power, is not the most attentive. So, our chat takes funny and unplaceable turns, as I let her take the lead.
TV viewers will get to experience the Weh Mameh hitmaker’s colourful and off-kilter personality as host of Madness Method airing on BET Africa. Moonchild zooms in on the lives of her celebrity guests, unpacking their lives and career journeys.
Why did you agree to do the show?
My talents are so broad, so when I get the opportunity I grab it because someone clearly saw something and I capitalise on what they have recognised. I already know who the f**k I am and I feel like I’m an entertainer, not just music or twerking based.
My talents have to do with everything that is going on in my brain and how I get people singing along and connecting with my songs. I don’t just write stories, but I write about things I have experienced.
What surprised you about doing the show?
That I can actually listen, because I don’t listen to anyone and I do my own thing, but I don’t rebel without a cause. But the other thing was to rectify everything that has annoyed me in interviews like [being asked] ‘where are you from?’ It felt beautiful.
The show has a structure, but no-one ever knows which direction I’m going to take. People open up because they are drinking during the show and it’s a free environment. So, I’m learning so much and being attentive is the biggest thing I’ve learned.
What has been your favourite episode?
Since I can’t tell you who the guests are on the show because we are keeping that a surprise, I can tell you about the experiences. It goes back to that skill I learned when I was a salesperson and studying potential clients. So, if someone is reserved I have to study their character.
I’m also knowledgeable about different mental dimension because some people just have anxiety about interviews. So the ones that are funny, the show ends up being funny. The ones that never talk in the media opened up to me. The ones that scared the crew because they were too silent, ended up twerking first before me.
How would you describe your career?
Living the dream and beyond. I’m ticking my box of all the things that I have written down. I have embraced it all and I then write bigger. I’m literally this tree of creativity: one branch is music, the other is inspirational talk, then there is preaching liberation and getting to know people.
There are so many parts of me that I will not die without exploring. I will never sit and wish people knew this about me, but I will make sure that they get to know each piece of me. My existence will pay me.
What is the biggest misconception about you?
That I’m all bums, all talk and no brain. I will then ask those people to watch my show because the zeroes in my bank respects me and Beyoncé knows me.
You recently proposed to your partner Gontse More. When is the wedding?
There is no pressure for us. We are living our best lives and we are going to get married any time.
I think we are probably going to get married in Las Vegas and I’ll tell you about it.