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Singer Kelly Khumalo, who was supposed to play Lebo Mathosa in the pop singer’s upcoming biopic, has apparently pulled out.
City Press has reliably learnt that R&B singer Keabetswe “KB” Motsilanyane was roped in at the last minute as her replacement.
It is still not clear whether Khumalo pulled out or if she was fired.
A person close to the production claimed the reason Khumalo ditched the show – Dream: The Lebo Mathosa Story, which will air next month – was because she was not happy with the money she was offered.
“She has been complaining to the producers of the show how unhappy she was with the money she was offered but I guess they failed to meet her demands.
“So this might be one of the reasons she left.
“On Monday Kelly was seen at the premises of The Pyramid Day Spa in Johannesburg, where a few scenes were shot but she was not part of the production. That was the last time we saw her,” claimed the insider.
However, another well-placed source, also close to the production, alleged that Khumalo was shown the door by the production house after she made difficult demands on set.
“She didn’t want to share her wardrobe room with other actors and made everyone’s job difficult. They had to let her go,” claimed the source.
Khumalo’s manager, who goes only by the name Pat, told City Press yesterday his client was not in a position to comment.
“Due to a contractual agreement between my client and the production house we cannot comment at this stage. When she is ready she will tell her side of the story,” said Pat.
Monde Twala, VP for MTV, MTV Base and BET at VIMN Africa, said: “BET Africa can confirm that the cast for Dream, The Lebo Mathosa Story has now been finalised and production, which is on schedule, has commenced across story relevant locations in and around Gauteng. The lead biopic cast will be announced and revealed imminently.”
City Press has reliably learnt that the 40-year-old Motsilanyane, who is playing Lesedi Moloi on SABC2’s soapie drama 7de Laan, has already started shooting. According to the insider, the Mamosadi hitmaker was also at the Pyramid on the same day Khumalo was seen there.
Many people would remember Motsilanyane as Lucille Vilakazi on Rhythm City, which ran from 2007 to 2015.
Motsilanyane, who made her first TV debut on e.tv youth soap opera Backstage as KB, did not respond to our calls and messages.
The Lebo Mathosa Story tells the story of the late Boom Shaka singer’s incredible life.
The viewers will have a glimpse of Mathosa’s incredible journey as a member of the popular group, which became one of the most successful kwaito groups in South Africa in the early 1990s.
City Press can reveal that other actors who will be part of the biopic are legendary actor Sello Maake Ka-Ncube, dancer Khabonina Qubeka, veteran actress Connie Chiume and socialite Somizi Mhlongo’s daughter Bahumi Madisakwane, who will be playing a young Lebo Mathosa.
The final cast will be revealed at the media set visit tomorrow.
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