Sithembile Xola Pearl Thusi (born 13 May 1988) is a South African actress, model, and presenter. She is known for her roles as Patricia Kopong in the BBC/HBO comedy-drama series The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, Dayana Mampasi in the ABC thriller Quantico and Samkelo in the romance film Catching Feelings. In 2020, she starred in the title role of Netflix's first African original series, Queen Sono.
Early life and education Thusi is from townships of KwaNdengezi and Hammarsdale just outside Durban. She has two sisters. She attended Pinetown Girls' High School. She began her studies at the University of the Witwatersrand, but pulled out to make time for her career. In 2020, she resumed studies at the University of South Africa.
Family and relationship Thusi has two daughters. Her first daughter, Thando Mokwena, who is her biological daughter and an adopted child called Okuhlekonke Thusi.
Career Thusi is the host of Lip Sync Battle Africa on MTV and e.tv, as well as the talk show Moments, on EbonyLife TV. She has starred on the SABC 3 soap opera Isidingo, as Palesa Motaung, co-hosted Live Amp with DJ Warras and Luthando Shosha, and the SABC 1 celebrity gossip magazine show Real Goboza.
In 2009, Thusi starred as Patricia Kopong on the BBC/HBO comedy-drama The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency.
In 2015, Thusi co-starred as Dr. Nandi Montabu in Tremors 5: Bloodlines. She also appeared in a music video entitled "Pearl Thusi" by rapper Emtee.
In 2016, Thusi was cast as a series regular in the role of Dayana Mampasi on the second season of the ABC thriller series Quantico, opposite Priyanka Chopra. In the same year, Thusi was cast as Samkelo in the romantic drama film Catching Feelings. The film was released in theaters on 9 March 2018.
In 2017, Thusi starred as Brenda Riviera in the drama film Kalushi.
In 2018, Thusi became the new host of the third season of MTV Base's Behind the Story. In the same year, Thusi was cast in the lead role of Queen Sono on the Netflix crime drama series Queen Sono. The series premiered on 28 February 2020 and was widely acclaimed by critics, and Thusi's performance in particular was singled out for praise. In April 2020, the series was renewed by Netflix for a second season. However, on 26 November 2020, it was reported that Netflix has cancelled the series because of the production challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. On 15 December 2020, She became a co-host of 1st KZN Entertainment Awards alongside Somizi Mhlongo.
In February 2021, Thusi was cast as Zama Zulu in the Netflix film Fistful of Vengeance. It was released on 17 February 2022.
Filmography Film Year Title Role 2015 Tremors 5: Bloodlines Dr. Nandi Montabu Einfach Rosa: Wolken über Kapstadt Nandi 2017 Catching Feelings Samkelo Kalushi: The Story of Solomon Mahlangu Brenda Riviera 2018 The Scorpion King: Book of Souls Tala 2020 Bulletproof 2 Joanna "Jo" Schmidt 2022 Fistful of Vengeance Zama Zulu
Television Year Title Role 2009 The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Patricia Kopong2011-2012 Zone 14 Samkelisiwe2011–2016 Live Amp Co-host 2012 Real Goboza Co-host 2013 Isidingo Palesa Motaung 2013 Tropika Island of Treasure Host 2015 Moments Co-host2016–2017 Lip Sync Battle Africa Co-host 2016–2017 Quantico Dayana Mampasi 2018–present Behind the Story Host 2020 Queen Sono Queen Sono1st KZN Entertainment AwardsCo-host2023Kizazi Moto: Generation FireMaadi (voice)2024- Present The Real Black PearlHerself/Reality Show
References
External links TVSA Actor Profile