Comedy Central has announced this week that actress and TV personality Pearl Thusi would be the first female Roast Master on the continent.

Thusi will be the mediator or the roast of rapper AKA which will be taking place at the Teatro at Montecasino on Thursday, 21 February.

“With her grand reputation for sophisticated wit and oozing charisma, she will step into the pit with 6-inch heels to throw shade on this spectacular bout,” said the channel in a statement. 

“Sharper than a scalpel, she has chased her dreams faster than a ‘pantha’ could catch a mouse, rising from strength to strength in her local and international career.

“As presenter on both MTV’s Lip Sync Battle Africa and the highlight rated MTV Base’s Behind The Story, she is the hottest candidate for knowing how to fuel the fire or calm the storm in this role as Comedy Central Roast Master.” 

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Commenting on her appointment, Thusi said: “I’m very excited to be the Roast Master and to work with Comedy Central for the first time. To be the first female Roast Master in Africa and first black woman globally is a great achievement. 

“To AKA – we’ve talked a lot of mess on twitter and in private, but now we’re going to settle this in front of the world, with no one to protect you. This is deeper than rap beef. 

“It will be on stage and to your face. I honestly can’t wait. Oh, and I won’t be alone as I’ve got a team of Roasters with me. So poetic. Just remember … composure, composure.”

Comedy Central said the Roast of AKA in partnership with Showmax would be hilarious, thought-provoking and without reservations, and was the the perfect grill for an audience who enjoyed sitting on the edge of their seats.

Dillon Khan, Vice President for Comedy Central and Creative Services at Viacom International Media Networks Africa (VIMN Africa) said “Our phones have been inundated with celebrities who want to be on the Comedy Central Roast especially with AKA in the firing line. 

“Having someone as fierce as Pearl at the helm means AKA is guaranteed to be hit close to home. The revelations will be televised.”

Showmax head of content, Candice Fangueiro, said their viewers “love to laugh but we still had to take our brave pills to put the last Roast on Showmax fully uncensored.

“This fresh Roast led by Pearl is set to take things even further – viciously funny and downright rude, just the way our viewers like it. I can’t wait.”

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Twitter, on the other hand, had mixed reactions following the announcement of Thusi being the Roast Master with some thinking her friendship with Dj Zinhle would affect the roast.


-ANA, edited by Moses Mudzwiti