Today, we’re going to reveal 10 actors who destroyed their careers. These stories highlight the challenges and pitfalls that can befall even the most talented individuals in the entertainment industry.

1. Zo

Zo is a talented actress who gained popularity after joining “Generation: The Legacy.” Her character grew steadily on the show, and soon enough, she was the girlfriend of Dali. The actors were both single when they were cast to act as lovers on “Generation,” and they developed feelings for each other, eventually falling in love in real life.

However, after they fell in love, Rapan started cheating on Zo with one of their colleagues from the administration team. Zo was very stressed and felt humiliated, leading her to start drinking excessively. It got to a point where Zo would come to set drunk, causing concern among the crew.

She would often pitch late to work or not come at all, until she was eventually fired. After she was fired, Rapan remained with his side chick, while Zo lost her job and reputation, sending her to therapy. Till today, her reputation and career are ruined.

2. Vatis

Vatis is a talented actress who left radio presenting for acting. She first appeared on “Generation” playing a supporting character and soon enough joined a SABC1 drama called “Om F.” “Om F” was a big success and opened many doors for her.

Fast forward to 2015, the actor was a big star working with big companies. Vatis started to speak out about the corruption that takes place behind the scenes, highlighting issues like abuse and exploitation that actors face. She used “Om F” as an example to substantiate her case, which was the biggest mistake she ever made.

The production company fired her and everyone who supported her. The incident alone destroyed Vatis’s name and changed the way production studios viewed her. Her career and reputation were ruined, and she is now seen as a sellout.

Nobody wants to work with her, and all the big production and casting agencies have distanced themselves from her. Vatis’s story is painful and misunderstood. Media houses were paid to write false news about her to push a certain narrative, and she is actually blacklisted by the industry gatekeepers.

3. Innocent Masuku

Innocent Masuku made his name when he portrayed Bhekumuzi on “Generation.” He disappeared from the spotlight, leaving many trying to connect the dots about his whereabouts. With an illustrious career spanning years, the bubbly actor was one of South Africa’s most sought-after on-screen darlings.

However, everything went south when fame and drug addiction took a toll on his career. The actor once confirmed that he was down and out. Despite being off work for years, he made headlines in 2022 when his face appeared online, where he opened up about having blown his fortune, including a 1 million house, on illicit substances.

He returned to the spotlight with a series of TV campaigns against drug abuse and addiction. However, rumors say that the talented actor is back on drugs. According to Zimo, his family and friends have given up on him.

4. Ramich

When “Om F” fired Vatis, many actors were angry because they understood exactly what Vatis was talking about. However, it was something they did not want to talk about due to the risk of losing their jobs.

Ramy had the same sentiment as Vatis and also raised concerns about how actresses were treated better than others. She acted in “Agazi” and complained about the production company not paying all their actors what they deserved. After “Om F” turned their backs on Vatis and destroyed their image, Ramy believed that if such could happen to Vatis, then it could happen to anyone.

She was then fired for sympathizing with Vatis. Despite her undeniable talent, many people no longer want to work with her. Ramy was also surprised about how easy it is for the production company to spin someone’s words and make them work against them. For that, she called them “bal.”

5. Once Upon a Time

Once Upon a Time was as big as they come. She joined the likes of Channel O where she was a presenter of two shows. She also worked with Dark and Lovely, where she was offered an endorsement deal worth 10 million Rand, which was supposed to be a first check, with many more to follow.

However, it ended up being a first and last check. The reason is she started showing off and telling people what to get off. The actress used to tell her followers that they are nothing and they never become anything.

People were fed up and they unfollowed her, leaving her with around 700 followers. Dark and Lovely noticed her unruly behavior and terminated their contract with her. Because she trashed the people who gave her her first shot to fame, she had nowhere else to go.

She cried for years, regretting the bad decisions she made, until some casting directors decided to help her with one more opportunity. It shows in her art, creativity, and new values. She forgave, and so did everyone. She is now part of “And Is the Enemy” cast, hopefully continuing to shine.

6. Don Tanda

Don Tanda is a South African actress who rose to prominence for playing the character of Onna. As she got bigger in her acting career, she started acting like a diva. It is said that she complained about everything, which is why “Om F” fired her. She used to criticize and go head-on with directors.

The producers of the show got fed up with her behavior and fired her. The actor struggled for some time after she was ex from “Om F,” and no other big television show was willing to hire her, especially as a lead character or even pay the amount she used to get on “Om F.” She humbled herself and joined “Deep City” as a supporting character and redeemed herself.

Her character on “Deep City” was promoted, and they increased her paycheck. The old time was confused by fortune and fame, but she quickly learned a lesson earlier on. Today, she’s a different person, and it shows in her art, creativity, and new values. She forgave, and so did everyone. She is now part of “And Is the Enemy” cast, hopefully continuing to shine.

7. Pumo

Pumo is best known for his on-screen character on the wife drama series “Uz.” Despite being among the most sought-after stars, Pumo disappeared from the small screens, leaving many wondering about his whereabouts.

The bubbly actor starred in several drama series but saw his on-screen characters being written off due to a lack of professionalism. It’s now here since he has appeared on small screens.

He was asked from “IMU,” “The Seed,” “Greed,” and “Desire” for not showing up on set and allegedly butting heads with workers and producers. He is here to star in a big-budget drama series. His social media accounts have not been active for years; he last posted in 2016. Over the years, he has been said to be broke, but it’s not known if it’s true since he has not been spotted in public.

8. Mang

In April 2023, the actor Mang was fired from “Generations: The Legacy” for being dramatic and failing to follow simple instructions on the drama. Mang played the role of Maum, one of the only characters that had remained amongst many who exited in 2014 after being fired for demanding salary increases.

According to Zimo, Mang was instructed to work on his pronunciation and stop stuttering when talking, and this did not go well with the seasoned actor. He became angry with those who corrected him and after that started having a bad attitude toward fellow cast members. As a result, the creators of “Generation: The Legacy” decided to fire him.

After leaving “Generation: The Legacy,” Mang was spotted at SABC offices in May 2023, and it was reported that he had joined the educational drama “We Are.” We are still waiting for his appearance even now. Do you think he deserved to be fired though?

9. Vinolia Mash

Vinolia Mash, also known as Vesh, started out as an actress on the famous local soap “Generations.” She was also a presenter who hosted “Jim e.” After hosting “Jim e,” the presenter disappeared from the limelight for more than 10 years and reappeared in 2013.

Vinolia was said to be living in an RDP house, down and out. The only reason that the journalists got hold of her was because the former television presenter was constantly accused of stealing.

She would steal from her neighbors and her children as well. She had nothing. Vinolia dated a young man who was 25 years old, and they stole together—that’s gangster love. Once the journalists knew where she lived, they played around the location, waiting for the next drama because with Vinolia and B, it was drama after drama.

The media publicity helped Vinolia indirectly; people felt sorry for her, and she was given a job on “Isidingo.” Before long, she hit a colleague with a book while on set when she had done nothing to her.

By the time Vinolia left “Isidingo,” she was renting a flat in Pretoria, and one day she was on the naked. She was then arrested. Vinolia continued with shenanigans until she died in her sleep. By the time of her death, she had nothing to show for it but moja love. Some other dignitaries made after donations for Vinolia to have a decent funeral.

10. Bricks

Bricks is the only person on this list who is not an actor, but his story is compelling and unbelievable. Bricks rocked “Mzansi” alongside DJ Cleo in the early 2000s.

He had a loving girlfriend and two beautiful children, and he risked it all for nothing. The man was thinking with his small “pikini” and not his brain. His sister’s daughter visited him in 2013, and Bricks took her to a different house he was renting in Northgate.

When they got there, he forced himself on her, then forced her to take a bath afterwards, and threatened her with death if she ever said a word about what just happened. Bricks continued with life as if nothing had happened, and when the girl spoke up, he denied the allegation and hired expensive lawyers.

After he ran out of his money trying to prove his innocence while knowing very well that he did it, the judge finally found Bricks guilty on all charges and sentenced him to 15 years in prison. The girl he assaulted was just 15 years old, and Bricks was 32 years old. This year, he’s 42 years old, and if he’s going to serve his full sentence, he will be out in 2028 when he’s almost 50.

And that would be all for today. Thank you for watching. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share for more content about your celebrities.

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