THE creative gods in TV land have clearly taken a shine to Pearl Thusi (pictured) and have been showering her with their blessings.
Aside from the afro queen making a name for herself in SABC1’s The Real Goboza (RGB) and Live Amp, she became the talk of the town after bagging the role of Palesa Motaung in SABC3’s Isidingo.
And now she has grabbed the headlines once again. Thusi steps into the shoes of DJ Fresh as the host of season six of Tropika Island of Treasure.
Interestingly, she was punted by Nicole Flint to co-host the show for season four and joined up as a contestant in the last season.
On transcending the divide from contestant to host, Thusi says: “It feels amazing. I’m so excited and blessed. I cannot believe this is really happening. Mauritius here we come.
“To get to be on the other side of the coin is going to be interesting and I’ll also be so much more relaxed because I’m not competing, but watching the game unfolding.
“I can’t wait to meet the contestants and see how they handle Celebville.”
This time around, she is venturing into a new arena by shouldering the weight of being a solo host.
She offers: “I haven’t really seen it that way because I’m still part of a great team. Phat Joe has taught me a lot and I use his advice all the time. I’ve also learnt a lot doing Live Amp with Luthando Shosha and DJ Warras. I am ready and very excited about this. I just need to hit the gym now and get my body ready. This is going to be so awesome.
“I’m slightly nervous, he’s (DJ Fresh) got a great following with the audience and is an amazing entertainer – a force of nature. I’m happy I got to learn from him as well; seeing him work live on the island.
“I hope I do the show justice and entertain people. Although I think there will be more than enough entertainment coming from the game and contestants.”
As for how she juggles her full plate of commitments now, she laughs: “No idea. I work with great people and manage the time as best as I can. It’s not easy, but this is what I have been dealt, so I just work as smart and hard as I can. I am really feeling blessed. Funny, I have declined work and focused on what I have and it doesn’t all happen simultaneously every day.”
Given her insight into the game and the emotional psychology that comes with it, Thusi says she will defitnitely tap into that knowledge as the host.
“I will know what to ask and probably what to expect from the contestants, keep up the energy and make sure the people are having a blast.”
The format for the paradise-island reality game show – this time returning to Mauritius – has been tweaked with a celeb-and-pleb twist.
Casting is in the process of being finalised.
Commenting on her clearly blessed journey to date, Thusi says: “I never could have predicted this. It feels like a dream. It really does. I don’t know how this happened, but it has, so I’m grateful and show my gratitude by putting in the work and not taking it for granted.
“Isidingo is a dream come true – 10 years running now. I hope all of this inspires my daughter and many other young women and men to achieve their dreams and know that it is possible.”
Of course, it does help that she has a personality that magnetically attracts the talent scouts and decision makers in this industry.
• Season six of Tropika Island of Treasure airs on SABC1 in May.