Have you heard of Thuso Mbedu? If not, you are missing out on one of the most talented and inspiring actresses of our time. Thuso Mbedu is a South African actress who has been nominated for two International Emmy Awards, starred in the critically acclaimed Amazon series The Underground Railroad, and made her Hollywood debut in the epic film The Woman King. In this blog post, we will tell you everything you need to know about Thuso Mbedu, her biography, her career, and her achievements.
Who is Thuso Mbedu?
Thuso Mbedu was born on July 8, 1991, in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. She lost both her parents at a young age and was raised by her grandmother, who became her legal guardian. She attended Pelham Primary School and Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High School, where she developed a passion for acting and performing arts. She then graduated with honors from the University of the Witwatersrand in Physical Theatre and Performing Arts Management in 2013. She also studied at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting in New York in 2012.
How did Thuso Mbedu start her career?
Thuso Mbedu started her acting career in 2014, when she landed a small role in the second season of the Mzansi Magic soap opera Isibaya. She then played Kitso Medupe, a journalism student and wild child, in the e.tv soap opera Scandal! from 2015 to 2016. She also had guest roles in other TV shows, such as Snake Park, Saints and Sinners, and MTV Shuga.
What made Thuso Mbedu famous?
Thuso Mbedu became famous for her role as Winnie, a sassy and ambitious teenager who dreams of marrying a rich and famous rugby player, in the Mzansi Magic teen drama series Is’Thunzi, which premiered in 2016. Her performance was so impressive that she was nominated for an International Emmy Award in the category of Best Performance by an Actress in 2017 and 2018, becoming the first African to be nominated twice in a row. She also appeared on the 2018 Forbes Africa 30 under 30 list, which recognizes the most influential young people in Africa.
What is Thuso Mbedu doing now?
Thuso Mbedu is now making waves in the international scene, as she has starred in the Amazon Video historical limited series The Underground Railroad, based on the novel by Colson Whitehead and directed by Barry Jenkins. She played Cora, a young enslaved woman who escapes from a plantation in Georgia and embarks on a harrowing journey to freedom.
The series, which premiered in May 2021, received rave reviews from critics and audiences alike, and earned Thuso Mbedu several awards and nominations, including the Independent Spirit Award for Best Female Performance in a New Scripted Series, the Hollywood Critics Association Award for Best Actress in a Limited Series, and the Gotham Award for Breakthrough Series – Long Format. She also made history as the first South African actress to lead an American television series.
Thuso Mbedu also made her feature film debut in the American historical epic The Woman King, which is set to be released in 2022. She plays Nawi, the daughter of Nanisca, the leader of an all-female military unit in the Kingdom of Dahomey in the 18th and 19th centuries. She stars alongside Oscar winners Viola Davis and Lupita Nyong’o, who play her mother and sister, respectively. The film is inspired by true events and celebrates the courage and strength of African women warriors.
Why is Thuso Mbedu an inspiration?
Thuso Mbedu is an inspiration to many people, especially young Africans, because she has overcome many challenges and hardships in her life and has achieved remarkable success in her career. She has also used her platform to raise awareness and support for various causes, such as education, mental health, and women empowerment. She has also shown that African stories and talents can be appreciated and celebrated on the global stage, and that nothing is impossible with hard work, passion, and determination.
What Are Some Of Thuso Mbedu Awards?
Thuso Mbedu is a South African actress who has won several awards for her performances in local and international productions. Some of her awards are:
South African Film and Television Awards: She won the Best Actress TV Drama award in 2018 for her role as Winnie in Is’Thunzi.
International Emmy Awards: She was nominated twice for the Best Performance by an Actress award in 2017 and 2018 for her role as Winnie in Is’Thunzi. She was the first African to be nominated consecutively in this category.
Independent Spirit Award: She won the Best Female Performance in a New Scripted Series award in 2022 for her role as Cora in The Underground Railroad.
Gotham Award: She won the Outstanding Performance in a New Series award in 2021 for her role as Cora in The Underground Railroad.
Hollywood Critics Association Award: She won the TV Breakout Star Award and was nominated for the Best Actress in a Limited Series, Anthology Series, or Television Movie award in 2021 for her role as Cora in The Underground Railroad.
Critics Choice Award: She was nominated for the Best Actress in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television award in 2022 for her role as Cora in The Underground Railroad.
Black Reel Awards: She won the Outstanding Breakthrough Actress and Outstanding Supporting Actress awards in 2023 for her role as Nawi in The Woman King. She was also nominated for the Outstanding Actress, TV Movie/Limited Series award in 2021 for her role as Cora in The Underground Railroad.
Thuso Mbedu Movies And Tv Shows
Thuso Mbedu is a South African actress who has appeared in various movies and TV shows, both locally and internationally. Some of her most notable works are:
The Woman King: A historical epic film that tells the story of the Dahomey Amazons, an all-female military unit in the Kingdom of Dahomey in West Africa. Thuso Mbedu plays Nawi, the daughter of Nanisca (Viola Davis), the leader of the warriors. The film also stars Lupita Nyong’o and John Boyega. The film is set to be released in 2022.
The Underground Railroad: A limited series based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Colson Whitehead, directed by Barry Jenkins. Thuso Mbedu plays Cora, a young enslaved woman who escapes from a plantation in Georgia and embarks on a perilous journey to freedom through a secret network of tunnels and tracks. The series premiered on Amazon Prime Video in May 2021 and received critical acclaim and several awards. - Is’Thunzi: A teen drama series that follows the lives of four girls who dream of becoming stars. Thuso Mbedu plays Winnie, a sassy and ambitious teenager who wants to marry a rich and famous rugby player. The series aired on Mzansi Magic from 2016 to 2017 and earned Thuso Mbedu two International Emmy Award nominations.
Shuga: A drama series that addresses various social issues affecting young people in Africa, such as HIV/AIDS, sexual health, and gender-based vi*lence. Thuso Mbedu plays Ipeleng, a smart and independent girl who struggles with her mother’s drug addiction and her own teenage pregnancy. The series aired on MTV from 2017 to 2019.
Castlevania: Nocturne: An animated series based on the video game franchise of the same name, set in a dark and Gothic world of vampires, demons, and monsters. Thuso Mbedu voices Annette, a young woman who is kidnapped by a vampire lord and becomes a key figure in a prophecy. The series is set to premiere on Netflix in 2023.
What Is Thuso Mbedu Net Worth?
Thuso Mbedu’s net worth is estimated to be around $5 million as of 2023. She earns her income from her acting career in local and international productions, such as The Woman King, The Underground Railroad, and Is’Thunzi.
What Other Sources Of Income Does Thuso Mbedu Have?
Besides acting, Thuso Mbedu also has other sources of income, such as:
Producing: She is the founder and owner of a production company called Tribal Soul Productions, which aims to create authentic and diverse stories for various platforms. She has produced some of her own projects, such as the short film uNomalanga and the web series iDrive.
Modelling: She has appeared in several magazines and fashion campaigns, such as Vogue, Elle, Glamour, and Levi’s. She has also collaborated with some local and international brands, such as Puma, Pandora, and L’Oréal.
Investing: She has invested in some real estate properties, such as a house in Johannesburg and a farm in KwaZulu-Natal. She has also invested in some stocks and cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin and Ethereum.
These are some of the other sources of income that Thuso Mbedu has, besides her successful acting career. She is a smart and savvy businesswoman who knows how to diversify her income streams and grow her wealth.
Controversy And Activism Of Thuso Mbedu
Thuso Mbedu is a South African actress who has been involved in some controversy and activism in her career. Some of the examples are:
In July 2021, she faced some backlash on Twitter for her comments on the violent protests and looting that erupted in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng following the arrest of former president Jacob Zuma. She tweeted “South Africa is burning” and was accused of spreading a false narrative and being out of touch with the situation. She defended herself and said that she was concerned about her country and her family, and that she was not trying to divide people. She also called out the hypocrisy and racism of some of the critics.
In May 2021, she joined other celebrities and activists in a campaign called #StopAsianHate, which aimed to raise awareness and solidarity against the rising anti-Asian vi*lence and discrimination in the US and around the world. She posted a video on Instagram where she expressed her support for the Asian community and condemned the hate crimes. She also encouraged her followers to educate themselves and take action to end the racism and injustice.
In March 2021, she participated in a virtual panel discussion hosted by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Ford Foundation, where she spoke about the importance of storytelling and representation for women and girls, especially in Africa. She shared her experiences and challenges as an actress and a producer, and how she strives to create authentic and diverse stories that can inspire and empower others. She also highlighted the need for more funding and support for women-led projects and initiatives.
In October 2020, she was one of the speakers at the TEDxJohannesburgSalon event, where she gave a talk titled “The Power of One”. She talked about how she overcame her personal struggles and traumas, and how she used her passion and purpose to pursue her dreams and make a positive impact in the world. She also urged the audience to believe in themselves and their potential, and to use their voice and talents to make a difference.
In September 2019, she was one of the ambassadors for the Global Citizen Festival in New York, where she joined other celebrities and leaders to advocate for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, such as ending poverty, hunger, inequality, and climate change. She also performed a poem on stage, where she celebrated the beauty and diversity of Africa and its people.
These are some of the instances where Thuso Mbedu has been involved in controversy and activism. She is a passionate and outspoken actress who has used her platform and influence to raise awareness and support for various causes and issues that affect her and her community. She is also a role model and a source of inspiration for many young people, especially in Africa.
What is Thuso Mbedu Social Media handle?
Thuso Mbedu is very active on social media. You can follow her through the following social media handles:
Instagram: @thuso.mbedu
Twitter: @thuso_mbedu
Facebook: Thuso Mbedu
YouTube: Thuso Mbedu
She often posts updates on her projects, travels, and personal life. She also interacts with her fans and supporters.
Conclusion
Thuso Mbedu is a rising star of South Africa, who has proven her excellence and versatility as an actress in both local and international productions. She has also been recognized and honored for her work, and has become a role model and a source of pride for many people. She is definitely a force to be reckoned with, and we can’t wait to see what she does next.
If you want to learn more about Thuso Mbedu, you can follow her on Instagram @thuso.mbedu, where she has over 1.5 million followers. You can also watch her shows and movies on various streaming platforms, such as Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, and Showmax.
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