Celebs strut red carpet for annual awards spectacle

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Gracing the audience that has gathered for the 2012 YOU spectacular held at Monticasino on Saturday Bonang Matheba performs her part of a four piece Tango danced by the nominees of the YOU sexiest woman of the year. Picture: Timothy Bernard 28.07.2012

VUYO MKIZE

vuyo.mkhize@inl.co.za

CAMERA shutters clicked. Air kisses were tossed from cheek to cheek.

One by one, some of the country’s top celebrities strutted across the red carpet outside the Teatro at Montecasino on Saturday night dressed in sequinned gowns and tailored designer suits for the eighth annual YOU Spectacular Awards ceremony.

The ceremony is known to draw some of the entertainment industry’s heavyweights as it celebrates and recognises their contribution.

“Jeannie! Jeannie! Over here,” journalist and photographers shouted.

At the opening of the 2012 YOU spectacular held at Monticasino on Saturday Geannie D jokes with the crowd gathered encouraging them to have a great evening. Picture: Timothy Bernard 28.07.2012

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“Bonang, how do you feel about your three nominations?” a woman asked, flinging her microphone towards the TV and media personality.

The current Miss South Africa, Melinda Bam, strode in wearing a bold JJ Schoeman sequinned gold dress, and turned slowly, revealing her bare back.

“I’m packaging myself as South Africa’s golden girl. It’s my first time at the awards and I’m so happy to be here,” she said, smiling.

One could be forgiven for thinking the main event was on the red carpet, as the show began close to two hours after the first celebrities had started arriving at 6pm.

The first winner of the night was Leanne Manas, who took the Favourite TV Presenter award.

“I love what I do, I wouldn’t change it for the world! Okay, maybe I’d change the hours,” she said as she accepted the award.

pic 0032 Miss S.A. 2012 Melinda Bam at the spectacular held at Monticasino on Saturday Picture: Timothy Bernard 28.07.2012

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The SABC2 Morning Live presenter, who is three weeks away from giving birth to her second child, looked radiant as she walked across the stage with her protruding belly and thanked her husband, Marc Menelaou, for his support.

Arguably, the most anticipated award of the night was for The Sexiest Woman, which went to vivacious Jeannie D for the second time.

The Top Billing presenter, who was also the MC for the night, bagged the Most Popular Female Celebrity award.

So what’s the sexiest woman’s take on what actually makes a woman sexy?

She said: “A woman is made sexy by her mind and her confidence. It’s all about having the full package – intelligence and beauty. It’s all about owning it and enjoying it.”

Other winners included:

l Favourite Newcomer – Zahara

l Best Couple – Lee-Ann Liebenberg and Nicky van der Walt

l Sexiest Male – Tyrone Keogh

l Most Popular Male – Ashish Gangapersad

l Favourite Actress – Moshidi Motshegwa

l Favourite Music Star – The Parlotones

l Favourite Radio Personality – Gareth Cliff

l Favourite Comedian – Trevor Noah

l Favourite Soapie – The Wild

l Favourite Actor – Shona Ferguson

l Most Popular Female Celeb – Jeannie D

l Favourite Sport Star – Jacques Kallis