Anele shines at Oscars
LOS ANGELES: CHARMER WALKS THE RED CARPET FOR M-NET SPECIAL
She’s keeping abreast of the award darlings this year.
She’s the host of the third season of The Voice and queen of the morning airwaves and now she’s preparing for the world’s biggest red carpet event.
Anele Mdoda is heading to LaLa Land to cover the 91st Academy Awards for a red carpet special on M-Net Movies Premiere, all while the latest season of The Voice: South Africa has the country glued to the screen, thanks to Mdoda’s always-on charm.
“Hosting the red carpet for one of the biggest awards shows in the world is an absolute highlight for me,” she said.
But don’t think she’s unprepared.
“I have watched the Oscars every year and the most memorable moments for me were when Denzel Washington and Sandra Bullock won, and when Charlize won and gave South Africa a shout out.”
She’s also tackling the red carpet with a clear vision – and it’s all about Wakanda.
Last year, she was one of the guests at the South African premiere of Marvel’s mega blockbuster, where stars like Lupita Nyong’o and Danai Gurira walked the blue carpet. But now it’s the big league.
”This year I look forward to celebrating with the Black Panther cast as they are heading in with seven Oscar nods,” she said.
She’s keeping abreast of the award darlings this year.
“We have to speak to Bradley Cooper and salute his directing of A Star Is Born, as well as his performance in it.
“We must also get Spike Lee, who has an honorary Oscar, but has his first ever nomination as director for BlackKklansman, which you can currently watch on Box Office.
“And then we hope to chat to Mahershala Ali who was nominated for Green Book and of course Glenn Close for The Wife.
“We also can’t forget about Rami Malek and Bohemian Rhapsody.”
Talent aside, Mdoda knows what the real reason to be at the Oscars is. “Of course, there’s the fashion,” she exclaims.
She’s perfect to host the show, being no stranger to awards shows or live tapings and more recently hosting the pre-taped blind auditions for The Voice, with the live rounds starting soon.
At the end of last week’s episode of The Voice, coach Riky Rick had eked out a lead for himself with a total of five singers on his team, while Lira and Riana Nel each had four.
In between all this it’s Mdoda who consoles and celebrates with the contestants.
If you missed last week, here’s all the background you need for this Sunday’s episode. First up in the second episode was 26-year-old Amy Tjasink from Cape Town returning to South Africa from her new home in London to audition on The Voice SA.
Accompanying herself on the acoustic guitar, she performed Bebe Rexha’s Meant To Be and joined Team Rick.
The next contestant was 21-year-old Michael Jackson fan Mo George who selected Etta James ballad At Last and ended up with Lira as his coach.
The third new competitor was 27-year-old Verona Goslett from Meyerton who chose Avril Lavigne’s Head Above Water which landed her on Nel’s team.
Krista Jonas, 29, from Cape Town became the fourth member of Lira’s team following a performance of I will Survive.
Next up was a bit of a TV moment when Rick listened intently as Joshua Parker performed Ed Sheeran’s Perfect and didn’t just turn his chair, but ran onto the stage to hug the 19-year-old performing arts coach from Johannesburg to invite him onto his team.
Sasolburg’s Felicia Seoehle’s rendition of Andra Dey’s Rise Up earned her a spot in Team Riana.
Johannesburg musician and property developer Sabelo Mthembu, 35, sang Van Morrison’s Crazy Love which landed him a spot on Team Rick. The episode ended with a stunning moment when 25-year-old actress and singer Siki Jo-Ann Owazi from Port Elizabeth inspired a unanimous chair-turn with her rendition of Miriam Makeba’s iconic Click Song. Francois van Coke complimented her with ucula kamnandi. She chose Riana Nel as her coach. – Citizen reporter
The Voice: South Africa is on MNet 101 on Sundays at 5.30pm
Red Carpet Special – a pre-Oscars show on MNet Movies Premiere, channel 104 on DStv, at 8.30pm on February 25.