Ukhozi FM presenter Selbeyonce on joining Uzalo and feeling ‘overlooked’

The radio presenter opens up about her “slow” career and making a comeback on the popular daily drama

Ukhozi FM presenter Selby “Selbeyonce” Mkhize takes over our screens.

Ukhozi FM presenter Selby “Selbeyonce” Mkhize feels her decade-long entertainment career has been extraordinarily slow and she has often been overlooked.

The LGBTQ+ activist throughout her career has pushed boundaries on inclusivity and diversity.

The 36-year-old entertainer is making her acting comeback on the daily drama Uzalo.

“Acting has always been part of my journey and something I’ve always wanted to do. I will be reprising the same role I did seven years ago,” she said.

“Back in 2018, I received a call from the directors asking me to audition to play myself. Since then, I’ve been honing my skills through auditions and pointers from industry mates on how to improve my acting skills.

“Though it’s been several years since I’ve played this role, I plan to have more of an input of what truly happens in the world of a character I live in real life.”

Mkhize has also played the role of Pearl, a transwoman on Generations: The Legacy and another trans character Lulu on Imbewu: The Seed.

“It’s expected of me to be great. Acting and radio are a big deal to me. I take both these crafts seriously,” she said.

Image: Supplied.

“It always feels good when you’ve achieved something and the focus is on you. Sometimes, it’s not that you want the attention, but it’s part of the job. I usually host the crossover show in December – one of our biggest in the station. I’d have people saying, ‘Oh my gosh, you’re so good at what you do’. But I’ll be like, that’s how it’s supposed to be. I have to be great; I have to give more than that.”

Mkhize said diversifying her résumé is important to her – even though at times it has caused controversy with social media movements like “open the industry”.

“At times, someone will say: ‘But they are already a radio presenter, why are they getting roles on TV?’ But then, does that mean I should stick to one field even though I’m good for the role? Does that mean I shouldn’t get it? What happened to ‘encouraging’ multiple streams of income?”

“If an influencer comes and they are good at what they do, that shouldn’t shake the set or distract other cast mates’ work. As long as they kill their role, that’s what matters. We also don’t know the hard work they put in to get the role. They could’ve been through multiple auditions that they didn’t get,” she said.

“Every single year, we all try to achieve certain goals, but I do believe my journey in the industry has been rather slow, and I’ve been overlooked somehow for something. But hey, to God be the glory. We thank God for all the things we’ve tried to accomplish every year.”