Actress, media personality and businesswoman Pearl Thusi is ready to get spicy! Stand by for the Comedy Central Roast of Pearl Thusi served by Smirnoff Spicy Tamarind, which will be recorded at Gold Reef City’s Lyric Theatre on Thursday 21 November 2024, for broadcast on Comedy Central (DStv Channel 122) on 8 December 2024 at 21:00.
 
If you’ve watched any of Comedy Central’s previous roasts of Kenny Kunene, Somizi Mhlongo, AKA and Khanyi Mbau, you’ll know how egos can crumble under a barrage of barbed insults. Now, Pearl “Queen Sono” Thusi is the latest local celeb to bravely occupy the hot seat to get roasted by a panel of her entertainment industry peers. 
 
Love her or hate her, Pearl Thusi is undeniably a powerhouse – and she’s not scared to voice her (often controversial) opinions! Her outspokenness seldom fails to divide fans and ruffle feathers, but she remains unashamedly Pearl – let the haters hate! The Comedy Central Roasters will no doubt be watching her new reality show on BET Africa, The Real Black Pearl, for fresh ammunition in their bid to cut this pop culture trendsetter down to size.
 
Durban-born Pearl is no stranger to the spotlight. A former beauty queen, she has risen to renown and stardom first as a TV show host and subsequently through roles in local and international productions such as Catching Feelings, The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency, Quantico, Kalushi, Fistful of Vengeance and Zone 14. 

Equally, the 36-year-old is a successful brand ambassador (including being the first African selected to collaborate with MAC cosmetics) and entrepreneur – and has recently branched out into DJing as well. She is also known for not mincing her words, always ready with a spicy comeback and for not conforming to traditional ideas of what “good girls” should do – often landing her in hot water in the court of public opinion.

Last year, not for the first time, she broke the internet by wearing a sheer, nipple-baring outfit that left very little to the imagination – and then vigorously defended her right to celebrate her body in her own way. 
What will her Roastmaster and Roasters have to say about that? Nothing is sacred or off limits in the Comedy Central Roast of Pearl Thusi served by Smirnoff Spicy Tamarind – so get ready for the mercury to soar through the roof as Pearl’s life is placed on the grill!

“After many years in the entertainment industry, I’m no stranger to pressure – and I’m fully prepared to handle whatever the Roasters throw at me. So believe me when I say I'll bring my A-game for this one!” says Pearl. “Returning to the Roast, this time as the roastee, I'm looking forward to having fun in the hot seat and giving as good as I get. If the Roasters think they will get me to squirm, they have another thing coming!”

Says Monde Twala, Senior Vice President and General Manager at Paramount Africa, and Lead at BET International, “Pearl Thusi is one of South Africa’s rare and precious gems, who has illuminated our screens and airwaves with her radiant presence and style. But, as we know, in the world of Comedy Central roasts, when celebrities’ claws are borne and the knives come out, nothing – and no one – is sacred! So, we are looking forward to seeing the Black Pearl show off the mettle that has propelled her to where she is today. We have no doubt she will be showing her Roasters the spiciest of flames on the night!”

Adds Smirnoff Senior Brand Manager, Vuyisile Dlepu, “For us the partnership with the Roast was a no-brainer; we know South Africans look forward to the show and all the shots fired on the night, what better pairing than the unique flavour of Smirnoff Spicy Tamarind? Pearl is the perfect combination of beauty and brains. She’s smart and sassy, and great at thinking on her feet. We are sure she is not going to be anyone’s pushover – and when it gets spicy on stage, it’s going to make for brilliant TV viewing! On the other hand, Smirnoff Spicy Tamarind is spicy but fun; and it’s cheeky – you either love it immediately or you need to get used to its bite. We look forward to opening the door to let South Ah be part of all the fun.”
 
Keen to be part of the hilarious, back-biting live action? Filming of the Comedy Central Roast of Pearl Thusi takes place on Thursday, 21 November at The Lyric Theatre at Gold Reef City in Johannesburg. Mark your calendars – tickets go on sale on soon via Webtickets.
 
For more information about Comedy Central Roast of Pearl Thusi served by Smirnoff Spicy Tamarind, like Comedy Central on Facebook at www.facebook.com/comedycentralafrica or join the conversation on X, TikTok and Instagram using the hashtag #RoastofPearl.