Pearl Thusi and Bonnie Mbuli engage in messy twar over colourism
"A lot of actresses also upset because God keeps choosing me and they believe I'm not worthy," says Pearl Thusi.
Things got ugly between Pearl Thusi and Bonnie Mbuli on Twitter this week.
The actresses were involved in a heated exchange about colourism, which is "discrimination based on the shade of an individual's skin tone, typically favouring lighter skin".
The debate started shortly after Sho Madjozi won the 'Best New International Act' award at the 2019 BET Awards.ALSO READ: Watch: Cardi B congratulates Sho Madjozi on her BET win
A Twitter user said Sho Madjozi would not have been so successful if she was not a light-skinned black woman.
"A guy from Limpopo was attacked for tweeting that if Sho Madjozi was a dark-skinned Tsonga girl she’ll not be as successful. And I think it’s disingenuous of those who attacked him to be oblivious of the historic fact that mixed race women have it more easy than dark skinned women."
Another user replied: "This is true. If she were dark. No one wd entertain her talent which is not really there to begin with if u think about it. Js like my home girl Pearl Thusi = no talent."
This is true. If she were dark. No one wd entertain her talent which is not really there to begin with if u think about it. Js like my home girl Pearl Thusi = no talent
— WaAzania Radebe (@WaazaniaR) June 25, 2019
Pearl was less than impressed with the comment.
"15 years of hard work I've put in means Jack s**t here. It's incredible how your entire being can all come down to your skin colour. I dare them to say this about the likes of... Beyonce, Diana Ross, Angela Davis. As if there wasn't an Aretha Franklin, Nina Simone, Miriam Makeba."
Sho Madjosi also hit back at her critics.
Sometimes women won’t be given a chance unless they’re light skinned, half-naked, have a big boody (but with a small waist,) wear a weave etc. not just in the entertainment industry but in corporate and other spaces as well
— #LimpopoChampionsLeague (@ShoMadjozi) June 26, 2019
I cant be expected to stop being great because colorism exists. But I can try to use my platform to speak out against colorism, I MUST speak out when I see people being treated unfairly because of color and I can try to amplify the voices of talented dark skinned women.
— #LimpopoChampionsLeague (@ShoMadjozi) June 26, 2019
The debate about colourism raged on all week, with stars such as Bonnie Mbuli, Gigi Lamayne, Boity, and DJ Zinhle all weighing in.
While Pearl acknowledged that colourism was an issue, she refused to allow people to "discount" her story and the hard work she has put in to get where she is today.
“I've lost many jobs to dark skinned women. Because I didn't fit the mould of a real black woman for people. And other times because that woman was more beautiful or talented. Being light won't get you there and keep you there, you need to work. And work harder to prove that point.”
I've lost many jobs to dark skinned women. Because I didn't fit the mould of a real black woman for people. And other times because that woman was more beautiful or talented. Being light won't get you there and keep you there, you need to work. And work harder to prove that point
— #QueenSono (@PearlThusi) June 26, 2019
Bonnie shared her views in a tweet that many felt was directed at Pearl, though, she did not mention the former 'Quantico' star's name.
The 40-year-old said that "dark-skinned actors have a smaller pool of roles to choose from”, and often have to play slaves or diseased refugees.
"So when a light-skinned actress complains abt the one or two roles they didn’t get coz they weren’t dark enuf; I’m like but the part ur crying abt was being the slave who gets raped and beat up in the thing, ppl who look like u have never had to be in that position to begin with."
So when a light skinned actress complains abt the one or two roles they didn’t get coz they weren’t dark enuf; I’m like but the part ur crying abt was being the slave who gets raped and beat up in the thing, ppl who look like u have never had to be in that position to begin with. pic.twitter.com/OzdQZJy1gV
— Bonnie Mbuli (@BonnieMbuli) June 27, 2019
They now have to carry the wounded light skinned actresses who have been enjoying the care free-milky -skinned -love interest- roles but are now mad coz they didn’t get that one role in Black Panther. The entitlement is just....
— Bonnie Mbuli (@BonnieMbuli) June 27, 2019
Pearl did not take kindly to Bonnie's comments.
“You have absolutely no clue which other parts I didn't get but because it makes you feel better to believe my acting career is working out only because I'm light skinned. And for someone who survived depression and wrote a book about it you sure have love spreading negativity," she tweeted.
You have absolutely no clue which other parts I didn't get but because it makes you feel better to believe my acting career is working out only because I'm light skinned.
— #QueenSono (@PearlThusi) June 27, 2019
And for someone who survived depression and wrote a book about it you sure have love spreading negativity.
Bonnie told Pearl to stop making the colourism debate about herself.
"Pearl, this isn’t about you, you can’t place yourself at the centre of such a huge issue, it can’t be reduced to a twar, I don’t know your shoe size but if you feel like it fits, then wear it!"
Pearl, this isn’t about you, you can’t place yourself at the centre of such a huge issue, it can’t be reduced to a twar, I don’t know your shoe size but if you feel like it fits, then wear it ! https://t.co/IOa2sc8fLT
— Bonnie Mbuli (@BonnieMbuli) June 27, 2019
Enough with the martyrdom Pearl, I was talking about actresses, angaz’ ukhuthi ungenaphi! https://t.co/8ixoY7XSgB
— Bonnie Mbuli (@BonnieMbuli) June 27, 2019
Pearl accused Bonnie of reducing her to a "nameless light-skinned actress".
She added in a separate tweet that many local actresses have questioned her talent.
"[A] lot of actresses are also upset because God keeps choosing me and they believe I'm not worthy. I know how much more talented u believe you are. All the whispers always make it back to me. I know who u are & I know what u've said. I smile & pray God blesses & heals u."
Sisi has in her mind has reduced me to a nameless "light skinned actress" . That's all she sees. My colour. Can't even acknowledge my name.
— #QueenSono (@PearlThusi) June 27, 2019
Imagine I had said dark skinned actress. Yall would destroy me.
This is very personal. She has no respect for me. Yesses.
Babe I hope if your still dating the white bro- if you were to have a kid with him- please don't call them names. Or you'll raise another me... Which we know would stress you. https://t.co/zhkJdG3HOI
— #QueenSono (@PearlThusi) June 27, 2019
Lastly.
— #QueenSono (@PearlThusi) June 27, 2019
I lot of actresses are also upset because God keeps choosing me and they believe I'm not worthy.
I know how much more talented u believe you are. All the whispers always make it back to me. I know who u are & I know what u've said. I smile & pray God blesses & heals u.
Many celebrities came to Pearl's defence.
"So what are we saying here guys? What can my light skinned friend do to make this right? Not go after her dreams? Also, did she choose to look the way she does? Already worried my my Kairo," her best friend DJ Zinhle commented.
@PearlThusi you’re an amazing, hardworking, selfless woman. Your gifts were given to you through the path that only God prepared for you and no one, no words, no opinions, no hate can take them away from you. ❤️
— #BAKAE OUT NOW (@Boity) June 26, 2019
So what are we saying here guys? What can my light skinned friend do to make this right? Not go after her dreams?
— #MeetingYourPower #ERAbyDJZinhle #ZeeNation (@DJZinhle) June 27, 2019
Also, did she choose to look the way she does? Already worried my my Kairo. 💔
You were meant from stardom and you’ve done the hard work and still are doing it. Light skinned dark skinned ... eish in the end we are black and let’s stick together. Let’s create solutions and be each other’s allies... so we all can break the system. #ILoveMyBlacknessAndYours
— Lindiwe Suttle (@lindiwesuttle) June 27, 2019
My niece has blond hair, fair skin. They live in Denmark. Her fav doll still is her black doll. And we’ve bought every I’m black & I’m proud book you can imagine & continue to preach #blackpride, it has to start in home bc society’s ready to break us but #ILoveMyBlacknessAndYours pic.twitter.com/XZf4sDlgzt
— Lindiwe Suttle (@lindiwesuttle) June 27, 2019