Tongues were wagging this week, after it was revealed that reality TV star Bahumi Madisakwane and actress KB Motsilanyane would be playing a younger and older Lebo Mathosa in BET Africa’s upcoming biopic of the dead singer.
Fans posted on social media, expressing their divided opinions on the casting choices.
Many said they believed Madisakwane got the role only because she is Somizi Mhlongo’s daughter and that KB simply isn’t the right fit.
The two responded to the backlash and gave a glimpse into how it felt to fill the shoes of the lioness.
Not trying to be Lebo, just telling her story
“I think we would’ve been silly to get into this thinking everybody was going to be okay with it.
“This is a big story and Lebo belongs to everybody,” said KB.
“Everybody has their own versions of who can portray her best. I feel like at the moment all is as it should be in terms of people’s feelings.
“We have no disillusions about the fact that not everyone is going to approve of me playing this role but I think that it doesn’t matter who would’ve been chosen for the role the reaction would still be exactly the same,” said KB.
Bahumi shared her sentiments.
“I knew that these were the reactions that would come about. It was one of the reasons why I was fearful of auditioning for the role,” Madisakwane said, adding that the moment she found out it was an open call audition “I anticipated getting there and people making all these assumptions. So I wasn’t shocked.”
The more vulnerable layers to Lebo
KB revealed that this role has shown her new sides to Lebo that she never knew before.
“Everyone who knows Lebo knows that she had a very explosive character and personality. You have the performer, the wild child, her being at home or with her friends while also trying to be a businessperson but through this role I’ve discovered the fragile and the vulnerable Lebo.
“We knew the lioness who was larger than life out there making things happen yet we didn’t know what she did when she was by herself without the dancers. I think that’s the story that the writer wanted people to know,” she said.
Madisakwane said that playing this character has made her grow.
“I had fears and anxiety auditioning for the role but what I’ve learnt is that you don’t have to wait for your fears and anxiety to disappear, you just have to push through them and only then can you overcome them. That’s the main connection I’ve made.
“She’s not just this legendary superstar that we know, she’s a human being. There’s so much more to her and I hope people are able to see her humanity,” she said.
. Dream: The Lebo Mathosa Story will be premiering on BET Africa (DStv channel 129) on Wednesday, November 6, at 9.30pm