Somizi Mhlongo | |
|---|---|
| Born | Somizi Buyani Mhlongo (1972-12-23)23 December 1972 (age 52)[1] |
| Other names | Somgaga |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1978–present |
| Known for | Idols South Africa (judge), Sarafina |
| Political party | African National Congress |
| Partner | Mohale Motaung (2017–2021) |
| Children | 1 |
| Parent(s) | Ndaba Mhlongo (father) Mary Twala (mother) |
Somizi Buyani Mhlongo (born 23 December 1972) is a South African media personality, actor and socialite. In 1992, he appeared on the musical and political film,Sarafina! which gained him prominence.[2] Mhlongo became lead choreographer for numerous shows and events, including the opening and closing ceremonies for the2010 FIFA World Cup and2013 Africa Cup of Nations.[3][4]
After starring and taking part in the choreography ofSarafina!, Mhlongo also appeared in several films including drama filmCry, the Beloved Country (1995) as well as various television shows, includingIdols South Africa and V Entertainment.[5]
Somizi Buyani Mhlongo was born on 23 December 1972, inSoweto, the largest township inJohannesburg, to South African actressMary Twala and actor and comedianNdaba Mhlongo.[6] Through the influence of his parents, he became exposed to the entertainment industry at a young age. He had one sibling, a brother named Archie, who was fatally stabbed in 1985.[7]
Mhlongo's acting career began when he was 13, appearing on the filmScavengers in 1987.[8] In 1992, he then joined the musical and political film,Sarafina! in which he played a character by the name of Fire, but nicknamed "Whacko". He also appeared in films includingKein Himmel über Afrika (1993) andCry, the Beloved Country (1995).
Mhlongo was featured on the television seriesTarzan: The Epic Adventures in 1996.[9] His biggest judging duty was when he was appointed as the new judge for the eleventh season ofIdols South Africa.[10] He was also a lead judge on the formerSABC 1 competition showDance Your Butt Off alongside actress and dancerKhabonina Qubeka. In 2016, Mhlongo premiered his reality showLiving the Dream with Somizi which aired onMzansi Magic.[11] Other TV credits includeCity Ses'la,Ayeye and10 Over 10.
Mhlongo hosted various award shows notably being theSouth African Music Awards where he co-hosted for 3 consecutive years (2016, 2017 and 2018).[12] On 26 April 2018, Mhlongo was the featured roastee in Comedy Central's annual roast special.[13]
He co-hostedKZN Entertainment Awards on 15 December 2020 with Pearl Thusi.[14][15][16]
Mhlongo's debut choreography work was on the musical filmSarafina![17] He choreographed many prominent events including the opening and closing ceremonies for the huge international football associationFIFA for the2010 hosting in his home country South Africa. Mhlongo choreographed various award shows and events includingMiss South Africa, Metro FM Music Awards, South African Music Awards and theChannel O Music Video Awards.[18] He also danced, and was a choreographer for the gospel choir Joyous Celebration.
In 2017, Mhlongo released the dance workout DVDGrind! With Somizi, which was available at Verimark.[19] The workout choreography had many elements of South African dance moves. Mhlongo also did several YouTube workout videos under the name Kwaitone Dance Fitness with Somizi.
Starting on 3 April 2017, Mhlongo was one of the co-hosts ofMetro FM breakfast showThe Fresh Breakfast Show alongside the lead hostDJ Fresh and soccer presenter Mpho Letsholonyane.[20] On 30 March 2019, it was announced that he would be replaced byRelebogile Mabotja as the station reshuffled. Mhlongo was then moved to co-host#TheBridge – the show after the set and airing ofThe Fresh Breakfast Show timeslot.[21]
In 2017, Mhlongo was named the ambassador for the satellite serviceDStv as for his notability onIdols South Africa which airs on two of their channels –M-Net andMzansi Magic.[22] He then endorsed with theDepartment of Water and Sanitation later that year.[23] He also endorsedMcDonald's South Africa in being the face ofMcCafé Coach Sessions.[24]
On 29 June 2017, Mhlongo released his autobiographical book namedDominoes, Unbreakable Spirit.[25] He co-wrote the book along with journalist and author Lesley Mofokeng. The book shares his life in showbiz, childhood, entertainment business, parents' roles, sexuality and friendship.[26]
Mhlongo incorporated inKwaito andgospel for his song releases in the 2000s, which critically and commercially failed.
In 2017, he released hishouse-focused andgqom-influenced revival song "Ngibonile" featuring DJ and record producer Heavy K.[27]
In 2021, Mhlongo recorded as a featured artist inVusi Nova's song "Ntandane", from hisGospel-influenced album,Ngumama.
Mhlongo dated actress Palesa Madisakwane while in a relationship with an unnamed man.[28] This led him tocome out asbisexual.[29] Madisakwane and Mhlongo welcomed their first child, Bahumi Madisakwane, on 19 February 1995. Mhlongo later described himself as gay, and the relationship with Madisakwane ended.[30]
Mhlongo has kept his relationships private. However, in 2017 rumors surfaced that he was dating South African model and entrepreneur Mohale Tebogo Motaung. The two confirmed these rumors in 2018. Mhlongo proposed to Motaung while on their vacation inParis, France. The two were married in a traditional wedding on 28 September 2019, and they had a white wedding on 30 January 2020.[31][32] They later separated in 2021. In March 2023, Mhlongo withdrew his divorce from Motaung, because it was revealed that their marriage was not legal in the eyes of the law, despite having a public wedding.[33][34]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Scavengers | Jeffrey | |
| 1992 | Sarafina! | Fire | Credited as Somizi "Whacko" Mhlongo |
| 1994 | Kien Hiüber Afrika | Himself | Cameo appearance |
| 1995 | Cry, the Beloved Country | Young Thief | |
| 2006 | Black Beulahs | Himself | Television film |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | African Skies | Juice | 1 episode |
| 1996 | Tarzan: The Epic Adventures | 1 episode | |
| 2004 | Zero Tolerance | Danielle | |
| 2007 | City Ses'la | Madam Gigi | Guest |
| 2010–2012 | Dance Your Butt Off | Himself | Judge; all episodes |
| 2013 and 2016 | 10 Over 10 | Himself | Commentator; Season 1 and 4 |
| 2013 | Zaziwa | Himself | Guest |
| 2014 | The Comedy Central Roast ofKenny Kunene | Himself | Roaster |
| 2014 | Reality Check | Himself | 1 episode |
| 2015 | aYeYe | Baps | 1 episode |
| 2015–present | Idols South Africa | Himself | Judge |
| 2015 | All That BS | Himself | 1 episode |
| 2016–2018 | South African Film and Television Awards | Himself | Red carpet host; performer in 2018 |
| 2016–present | Living the Dream with Somizi | Himself | Main role |
| 2016 | 22nd South African Music Awards | Himself | Co-host |
| 2017 | 23rd South African Music Awards | Himself | Co-host |
| 2017–present | V Entertainment | Himself | Co-host |
| 2018 | The Comedy Central Roast of Somizi | Himself | Roastee |
| 2018 | 24th South African Music Awards | Himself | Co-host |
| 2018 | Tropika Smooth Fan | Himself | Contestant |
| 2018 | Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100 | Himself | Red carpet host |
| 2020 | 1st KZN Entertainment Awards[14] | Co-host | |
| 2023 | The Masked Singer SA | Himself | judge |
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Himself | Celebrity Personality of the Year 2024 | Pending | [35] |