2009: Year Of The Underdog

For a while we have been bombarded by gold digging bimbos and talentless wannabes hogging the limelight from bonafide talent in the entertainment industry. In 2009 though the tide turned. Yes, the usual publicity hoes like Khanyi Mabu and Paris Hilton made the headlines but some unexpected stars managed to shine through as well. Though one can be tempted to blame executives for pushing beauty before talent when creating brands we as the public have to take some responsibility. Let’s face it. We are the ones who buy into the whole farce. Khanyi wouldn’t be Khanyi if no-one paid attention to her. These people are just a reflection of how plastic over society has become. The industry is just feeding us what we want. Someone might argue the opposite, that the industry feeds us what they want us to eat. Mainstream media does promote popular culture but I strongly believe that the choice still remains with the consumer. If you don’t buy it, they won’t sell it. Simple.

I was very happy last year when the public seemed to wake up from this bling-leave your mind in the toilet-frivolous euphoria and started taking note of great talent before looking at the exterior of a person. You unlikely to see them on the covers of your magazine but their talents will ensure that history doesn’t forget them.

MaBloggers these are the Ugly ducklings who became the Darlings of 2009.

Susan Boyle

In a world that teaches our kids that being pretty is everything Susan proved that sometimes talent does outshine looks. She didn’t win Britain’s Got Talent but she managed to become the biggest personality Britain has had since Princess Diana. She doesn’t have the beauty of the Britneys of this world and at 48 many would think she has passed her prime but Susan has proven to be a force to be reckoned with. Her albumn is still breaking records and continues to out sell well established artist like Elton John.

Baby Cele

Ok Baby doesn’t lack much in the looks department but after her stint on Backstage many thought her star had fallen but this phoenix rose from the ashes. She joined the current season of one of the only 3 shows I watch on SABC, Home Affairs. She replaced my fav SA actress Nthati Moshesh as Thandeka and boy she did not disappoint. Good to see you back sister

Darren Rajbal

This baby faced hip hop dancer was the winner of South Africa’s Got Talent, taking home a grand prize of R250 000. What made his winning special is that Darren is deaf. I was personally touced because I figured it must have taken a lot of dedication and talent for someone who can’t hear the music to dance as superbly as Darren did. One only wonders how inspiring it must have been for many young hearing impaired kids in SA to see Darren win. He is truly a hero and I believe that his win gave someone out there the strength to believe that if he can do it so can they.

Caster Semenya

I will not even go into Caster’s rise to fame and the subsequent trauma she endured at the hand of the media and politicians. I will say this though, her story is one that will go down in history as the biggest exploitation ever commited on a public platform by our media and politicians in this country. As for Athletics SA, shame on them!!! But Caster has to be a very strong person to have endured all that humiliation and still managed to keep her sanity. Kudos girl and all the best for the new year and future endeavours

Gabourey “Gabby” Sidibe

Not since Jennifer Hudson on Dreamgirls has a black actress captured audiences’ hearts like Gabby did in Precious. Like J-Hud, Gabby’s on screen talent runs parallel to her real life journey from obscurity to the red carpets of the world. Truth be told in this world, Gabby is what would be considered ugly. Forget about Ugly Betty, I mean what’s ugly about America Ferrera? Gabby is the real Cinderella, the ugly duckling who will never become a swan but she is now a rising star. Her performance in Precious has earned her praises from many film critics and audiences. For a moment this woman who can’t have had an easy life is living a fairy tale. One can only hope that this is the beginning of a wonderful career for her.



While on the issue of Precious and underdogs, thanks to this movie Mariah Carey has managed to shed the label of being a “failed singer-cum-actress” she got from Glitter. She has managed to give a stunning performance as a dowdy welfare caseworker. She is so convincing you turn to forget about her fake boobs and diva personality. Now that’s called acting… Good work Mimi.