KB reacts to Lebo Mathosa backlash: It took guts to play it

Keabetswe ‘KB’ Motsilanyane is determined to give her new role as Lebo Mathosa the respect it deserves, regardless of what the haters say. KB is set to play the older version of the Boom Shaka star in a docu-series about her life called Dream: The Lebo Mathosa Story.

Bahumi Madisakwane will star as the young Lebo, and both actresses received flak when they were unveiled as the women who would portray the icon in the BET Africa biopic. Speaking to TshisaLIVE, KB says she knows she has big shoes to fill. I realised I was given a responsibility with something so precious and something that belongs to everybody and being entrusted with it.

So, I’m honoured to play this role, I do it with the utmost respect. For me it’s not just Lebo, she was a human being, she belongs to many people I haven’t met in my life and they are going to watch this.

Kelly Khumalo was originally cast in the lead role but dropped out at the last minute
She blamed her exit on “questionable” working conditions. The singer told Metro FM in an interview that she was called a “diva” when she complained about “dirty bathrooms”. It’s either the work conditions changed or we just don’t have the talent,” Kelly said.

The Lebo Mathosa biopic may have had a rocky start but KB is determined to give the performance of her career. Aesthetically, I don’t look like Lebo. I am 13 years older than the age she was that I am playing right now, but it was about committing to every single aspect of the story that I am telling, and telling it authentically and not try to pretend to sound like her. KB also defended Bahumi against her critics.

“Bahumi is a child and here are people attacking her… HHP was depressed, he struggled with depression because of how we probably made him feel, and we lost him. And then this happens and here’s our response. We are not saying approve of [every]thing, but how you do it is important.