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Johannesburg - You would think the freshest new star of the US small screen would not have time to head home to South Africa to work.
But Pearl Thusi will take a break from her role in the hit US drama series Quantico to give local viewers another series of Lip Sync Battle Africa.
And she will be getting a new sidekick. Nigeria’s popular TV host, Denrele Edun, will replace his megastar homeboy, D’banj.
In the popular show, two celebrities do battle, lip-syncing to two songs. The best imitator wins. It’s an idea taken from a segment on popular US show The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon that developed into a series.
The first season of the African version, which aired last year, was all the rage right from episode one, which featured rapper Cassper Nyovest dragging as Whitney Houston and taking on his ex-flame, actress Boity Thulo. She beat him easily.
South Africans unfamiliar with life north of our border will be wondering who Denrele is.
A fashion icon as well as a host, he will be the so-called colour commentator on Lip Sync, giving his lively take on events as they unfold. And colour is what viewers will get.
“I’m on fire, call 911!” screamed Den-rele when answering our call.
No stranger to the music industry, he has interviewed Akon, Beyoncé, Tyler Perry, Lil’ Kim and even Uncle Snoop. He was also a contestant on the show against fellow TV personality Ebuka.
Our hype man narrowly lost, despite giving invigorating performances of Johnny by Yemi Alade and Jamiroquai’s classic, Virtual Insanity.
How did he land the gig? “I was called for a screen test. I grabbed my trusty 10-inch gladiator heels and headed out,” he said. An hour later, the job was his.
“I am elated to be on the show with Pearl. We are going to be M.A.D. – making a difference – using our tandem Afros and swag ... something we Africans got,” he said.
And his take on Pearl? “The sexy, delicious diva with the pure natural Afro.”
