Durban make-up artist Theshen Naicker is ready to take to the international stage in the skin of his famous character, Aunty Sheila.
Aunty Sheila is Naicker’s creation, right from the outgoing personality to the way she applies her lipstick.
Now she's ready for a bigger stage and will perform at Sibaya next week.
But it's not going to stop there, and if Naicker, 31, has his way, Aunty Sheila will wing her way to foreign lands including India, Singapore and Malaysia, where his character already has a fan base thanks to online video skits.
A make up brand will also be launched sometime next year.
“I created the character Aunty Sheila in 2011. She is a proud Tamil woman who still wears a nose ring and a big red dot to signify she's married. She is very colourful and never one to mince her words. Her character is largely based on my granny, who always spoke her mind,” said Naicker, who is also a lecturer at Varsity College in the psychology health education field.
The sought-after bridal make-up artist began recording videos of Aunty Sheila dressed in her finery and speaking candidly on various topics.
“People receive Aunty Sheila so well because they can relate to her, or they know of someone just like her. She is very likeable because she tells things like it is, and has opinions on so many issues,” he said.
He has had many “strong and phenomenal” women raising him through the years, and Naicker said women should always remember the incredible strength they had.
“Many women doubt themselves when in fact they should be proud of who they are and know what they're capable of. Aunty Sheila is always reminding people, especially women, that they must live their lives, and not worry about what other people think or say, and to live truthfully,” he said.
It takes Naicker two to three hours to prepare and metamorphosis into the character that is Aunty Sheila.
So popular is Aunty Sheila that the recently advertised shows for Durban in April and May at Sibaya have been sold out.
He has yet to confirm if any extra Durban dates will be added.
Naicker said Joburg and Cape Town could look forward to shows in their cities in the near future. Find Aunty Sheila on Facebook at “Lets talk with AUNTY Sheila”.
The Independent on Saturday