Pearl Thusi

EARLY LIFE

Thusi is from townships of KwaNdengezi and Hammarsdale just outside Durban. She has two sisters. She attended Pinetown Girls' High School. She began her studies at the University of the Witwatersrand, but pulled out to make time for her career. In 2020, she resumed studies at the University of South Africa.

CAREER

Sithembile Xola Pearl Thusi is a South African actress, model, and presenter. She is known for her roles as Patricia Kopong in the BBC/HBO comedy-drama series The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, Dayana Mampasi in the ABC thriller Quantico and Samkelo in the romance film Catching Feelings. In 2020, she starred in the title role of Netflix's first African original series, Queen Sono. Thusi is the host of Lip Sync Battle Africa on MTV and e.tv, as well as the talk show Moments, on EbonyLife TV. She has also co-hosted Live Amp and Real Goboza. She has also been a producer and a second unit director or assistant director. Beyond acting, Thusi has made significant strides in the beauty industry. In 2020, she became the first African collaborator with international cosmetics giant MAC, releasing two limited-edition makeup kits. She also co-owns the Black Pearl haircare line with Afrobotanics and holds ownership in Black Rose Gin. Thusi began her career in modeling, earning titles such as Miss KwaZulu-Natal in 2005 and first runner-up in Miss SA Teen in 2003. She transitioned into television, hosting shows like Live Amp, Real Goboza, Moments: South Africa, and Lip Sync Battle Africa. Her versatility extends to radio, where she co-hosted Metro FM's Saturday breakfast show and helmed her own program, The Black Out.