Pearl Thusi lambasted for interviewing Tol Ass Mo amidst rape allegations
The actress has been labelled "tone deaf" and accused of not being able "to read the room".
Actress and TV host, Pearl Thusi has found herself in hot water after revealing that she will be interviewing retired comedian Mongezi 'Tol Ass Mo' Mahlangu.
The former comedian and reality star is set to join 'Mama Panther' on her BET Africa show Behind The Story, while facing rape charges levelled against him by actress and model, Lerato Moloi.
In a statement released on 4 August 2020, Moloi alleged that Tol Ass Mo had sexually assaulted and raped her while working on a television production in Paarl, Western Cape, in 2014.
READ: Pearl Thusi faces the wrath of Twitter once again
Pearl Thusi, in a video, shared her excitement about the return of her show and the guests she will be interviewing, which include Tol Ass Mo and his wife, Mome and Khanyi Mbau on a separate episode.
Please send @BET_Africa any questions or any comments for Khanyi Mbau & Tolass Mo/Mome!!!
— #QueenSono (@PearlThusi) August 20, 2020
Please send before 12:30!!!#BehindTheStoryBET pic.twitter.com/fYpMWU9id1
But her video triggered Twitter users who accused her of being "tone deaf" and unable to "read the room."
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Pearl Thusi stays getting L's for her absolute and utter tone deafness..
— A Black Woman 🇿🇦 🇿🇦 (@SneKhumaloSA) August 22, 2020
Sis cannot read the room for anything..
Nobody wanted some feel good interview about a rapist. Especially not now when were in the midst of a GBV epidemic..
i’m sure Tall Ass Mo is a rapist so why is he getting screen time? https://t.co/zVwfJBFiju
— stuff sa ma supa (@MalaikaMazwaii) August 22, 2020
Too bad I saw this too late coz my question would have been to ask why that comedian sent his lawyer to call me to try dig up dirt and info on Lerato.
— Lesego Semenya (@LesDaChef) August 22, 2020
Also, this is totally off. Read the room. https://t.co/AG7ytPXBs9
However, some users found fault in the fact that it was the Queen Sono star who was receiving the intense backlash instead of her employer BET Africa and the alleged rapist.
Why don't u fight BET Africa. SABC brought Rapist Nicholas Ninow's Mom for an interview u dragged SABC. You never fought the Journalist conducting that interview. Ningamaphixiphixi that's why today you are fighting Pearl Thusi because u simply hate her. pic.twitter.com/Wt2xWELmUr
— 🇿🇦🏳️🌈Madam Speaker (@SphamandlaM_) August 22, 2020
I think Pearl Thusi is not the bad guy here, It's BET Africa. She already signed her contract with them. If she decides not to the interview, they might sue her for "breach of contract". They know about Lerato & and her allegations. They just wanna capitalize on Lerato's misery🤷🏿♀️
— TsiBando 👩🏿 (@TsiBando) August 22, 2020
Wanyela. Pearl Thusi went live on IG a week ago asking y’all to submit names of people you wanna see on the show and “Toll Ass Mo” name kept popping up. Misdirected anger once again. Niya bora shame! https://t.co/2dc0rHE5Qf
— BHOVARESS 👑 (@RubuThulisa) August 22, 2020
In a bid to defend herself, Thusi compared her interview to the widely televised interview Gayle King had with R Kelly, further stating that she is not a judge but an activist - which was like adding fuel to an inferno because she was dragged even more, with many taking digs at her interviewing skills.
Where were you when Gayle King interviewed R Kelly?
— #QueenSono (@PearlThusi) August 22, 2020
When 3rd degree goes to prisons and interviews convicted murderers?
I’m an activist but that doesn’t mean I’m a judge.
Also- why is only one person being cancelled? What about the other accused? https://t.co/Rj5yz7JLUX
When asked when will she interview Moloi, Thusi revealed that she is still waiting for a response from the model.
Waiting for her to agree. Tried calling her pre interviewing Mo and Mome. https://t.co/mmTETBQuwN
— #QueenSono (@PearlThusi) August 22, 2020
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IMAGE CREDIT: Instagram/PearlThusi
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