South African actress (born 1988)
Sithembile Xola Pearl Thusi (born 13 May 1988) is a South African actress, model, and presenter. She is known for her roles as Patricia Kopong in the BBC /HBO comedy-drama series The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency , Dayana Mampasi in the ABC thriller Quantico and Samkelo in the romance film Catching Feelings .[ 2] In 2020, she starred in the title role of Netflix's first African original series, Queen Sono .[ 3]
Early life and education
Thusi is from townships of KwaNdengezi and Hammarsdale just outside Durban . She has two sisters.[ 4] She attended Pinetown Girls' High School .[ 5] She began her studies at the University of the Witwatersrand , but pulled out to make time for her career. In 2020, she resumed studies at the University of South Africa .[ 6]
Family and relationship
Thusi has two daughters. Her first daughter, Thando Mokwena, who is her biological daughter and an adopted child called Okohlekonke Thusi.[ 7]
Career
Thusi is the host of Lip Sync Battle Africa on MTV and e.tv , as well as the talk show Moments , on EbonyLife TV .[ 8] She has starred on the SABC 3 soap opera Isidingo , as Palesa Motaung, co-hosted Live Amp with DJ Warras and Luthando Shosha , and the SABC 1 celebrity gossip magazine show Real Goboza .[ 9]
In 2009, Thusi starred as Patricia Kopong on the BBC /HBO comedy-drama The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency .[ 10]
In 2015, Thusi co-starred as Dr. Nandi Montabu in Tremors 5: Bloodlines . She also appeared in a music video entitled "Pearl Thusi" by rapper Emtee .[ 11]
In 2016, Thusi was cast as a series regular in the role of Dayana Mampasi on the second season of the ABC thriller series Quantico , opposite Priyanka Chopra .[ 12] [ 13] In the same year, Thusi was cast as Samkelo in the romantic drama film Catching Feelings .[ 14] The film was released in theaters on 9 March 2018.[ 15]
In 2017, Thusi starred as Brenda Riviera in the drama film Kalushi .[ 16]
In 2018, Thusi became the new host of the third season of MTV Base 's Behind the Story .[ 17] In the same year, Thusi was cast in the lead role of Queen Sono on the Netflix crime drama series Queen Sono .[ 18] The series premiered on 28 February 2020 and was widely acclaimed by critics, and Thusi's performance in particular was singled out for praise.[ 19] [ 20] [ 21] [ 22] In April 2020, the series was renewed by Netflix for a second season.[ 23] However, on 26 November 2020, it was reported that Netflix has cancelled the series because of the production challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic .[ 24]
On 15 December 2020, She became a co-host of 1st KZN Entertainment Awards alongside Somizi Mhlongo.[ 25]
[ 26] [ 27]
In February 2021, Thusi was cast as Zama Zulu in the Netflix film Fistful of Vengeance .[ 28] It was released on 17 February 2022.[ 29]
Filmography
Film
Television
References
^ Mbayimbayi, Asanda (10 October 2023). " 'She confuses some letters' – curriculum specialist on Pearl Thusi's daughter" . The Citizen .
^ "Pearl Thusi Films and Shows – Apple TV (EE)" . Apple TV . Retrieved 28 May 2024 .
^ Kanter, Jake (28 April 2020). " 'Queen Sono': Netflix Renews Its First African Original Series" . Deadline . Retrieved 13 August 2020 .
^ Jordan, Andrea (17 January 2017). "Why South African Actress and Beauty Expert Pearl Thusi Is The One To Watch" . Essence . Retrieved 11 August 2021 .
^ Madu, Golden (8 April 2022). "Pearl Thusi Biography: Age, Marriage, Husband and Children" . DNB Stories Africa . Retrieved 28 May 2024 .
^ Ngenyane, Andiswa (28 January 2020). "Pearl Thusi goes back to school" . Daily Sun . Retrieved 11 August 2021 .
^ Mbayimbayi, Asanda (10 October 2023). " 'She confuses some letters' – curriculum specialist on Pearl Thusi's daughter" . The Citizen . Retrieved 28 May 2024 .
^ Zeeman, Kyle (2 July 2015). "Pearl and Lerato K make their Ebony Life TV debut" . Channel24 . Retrieved 21 February 2019 .
^ "Pearl Thusi - TVSA" .
^ Naik, Sameer (26 January 2019). "A Typical Interview with Pearl Thusi" . IOL . Retrieved 21 February 2019 .
^ "Emtee Pearl Thusi" . YouTube . 26 January 2016. Retrieved 7 March 2018 .
^ Petski, Denise (12 July 2016). " 'Quantico' Casts Pearl Thusi As New Series Regular For Season 2" . Retrieved 13 July 2016 .
^ "South African Actress Pearl Thusi Joins 'Quantico' Cast as Series Regular - Her Stateside Debut" . Shadow and Act. 12 July 2016. Retrieved 13 July 2016 .
^ Stidhum, Tonja (19 June 2017). "LAFF 2017: 'Catching Feelings' Starring Pearl Thusi Navigates the Journey of Sex, Marriage, & Love" . The South African . Retrieved 7 March 2018 .
^ Andersen, Nic (28 February 2018). "Catching Feelings: South African release date, cast and latest trailer" . The South African . Retrieved 7 March 2018 .
^ "Pearl Thusi Says Kalushi Shoot Took Her Back To Apartheid" . Marie Claire . 9 March 2017. Retrieved 21 February 2019 .
^ "Behind The Story with new host Pearl Thusi is back on MTV Base!" . MSN Entertainment . 23 August 2018. Retrieved 11 December 2018 .
^ a b White, Peter (10 December 2018). " 'Quantico' Star Pearl Thusi To Lead 'Queen Sono', Netflix's First African Original Series" . Deadline. Retrieved 11 December 2018 .
^ Queen Sono: Season 1 , retrieved 13 August 2020
^ Queen Sono , retrieved 13 August 2020
^ Isama, Antoinette (11 June 2019). "Production for 'Queen Sono,' Netflix's First African Original Series, Is Underway" . OkayAfrica . Retrieved 12 June 2019 .
^ Winifred, Chisom (10 December 2019). "Queen is coming: Queen Sono premieres February 28th, 2020" . Glam Africa . Retrieved 11 December 2019 .
^ Kanter, Jake (28 April 2020). " 'Queen Sono': Netflix Renews Its First African Original Series" . Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved 28 April 2020 .
^ Eloff, Herman (26 November 2020). "Queen Sono's second season cancelled amid 'current trying times' " . Channel24 . Retrieved 26 November 2020 .
^ "Somizi and Pearl Thusi to co-host the Kwazulu Natal Entertainment Awards" . 8 December 2020.
^ a b "Pearl Thusi and Somizi Mhlongo-Motaung score a dope new hosting gig" . 9 December 2020.
^ "Somizi Mhlongo and Pearl Thusi to host KZN Entertainment Awards | Fakaza News" . 8 December 2020.
^ Petski, Denise (26 February 2021). " 'Wu Assassins' Standalone Movie Set At Netflix" . Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved 27 February 2021 .
^ Massoto, Erick (20 January 2022). " 'Fistful of Vengeance' Trailer Reveals the 'Wu Assassins' Standalone Movie Coming to Netflix" . Collider . Retrieved 20 January 2022 .
External links