‘I was trying to be respectful': Mia le Roux addresses Mpumi Mlambo's Metro FM misstep
Le Roux opened up about this following scrutiny surrounding a question posed by black carpet host Mpumi Mlambo at this year's Metro FM Music Awards, as well as her subsequent response.
In a statement, she highlighted the diversity within the deaf community regarding how they experience music and emphasised the importance of respectful and inclusive conversations.
For many, Saturday evening's Metro FM Music Awards at the Mbombela Stadium was a celebration of South African musical excellence. But for Miss South Africa, Mia le Roux, it became a profound moment to confront one of her greatest insecurities.
Ahead of the glittering event, while walking the black carpet, host Mpumi Mlambo asked le Roux who her favourite artist was. Her candid response - that she did not have a favourite South African artist because she is deaf and does not listen to music - sparked online chatter.
Mpumi Mlambo on @METROFMSA Awards black carpet asks Miss SA 2024 Mia le Roux who's her favourite artist.
"Within the music industry I don't have a favourite South African artists as I am deaf, so I do not listen to music." #MetroFMAwards2025 #MMA2025 #MetroAwards2025 pic.twitter.com/ZGF0deNRx2
— TVwithThinus (@TVwithThinus) May 3, 2025
Le Roux, who was diagnosed with profound hearing loss as a toddler and is the first Miss South Africa who is hard of hearing, later spoke out about the incident. In a heartfelt statement shared on Instagram, she opened up about her relationship with music, describing it as 'one of my biggest insecurities.'
'I often struggle with music. I can't always hear lyrics. Some songs sound unclear to me. I've had moments where I've played music in the background just to feel less alone. But that doesn't mean I've always understood it fully. I can't confidently identify genres, artists or instruments, and because of that, I've never felt comfortable expressing music preferences – especially in a public setting,' she explained.
Reflecting on her response to Mlambo's question on the black carpet, le Roux said, 'At the Metro Awards, when asked about my favourite artist or song, I didn't want to give a superficial answer or name an artist I couldn't fully appreciate in the way they deserve. I was trying to be respectful, not evasive.'
Le Roux also highlighted how her experience with music has been shaped by her use of cochlear implants, which allow her to perceive sounds differently from someone without the device.
'Growing up, music was always something I tried to connect with, especially because of my family. I remember my dad playing Love Gets Old by Wouter Kellerman,' she recalled. 'I could see how it moved him. That memory stayed with me, not just because of the sound but because of the emotion and meaning behind it. That's what I connected to.'
The beauty queen further explained the diverse ways the deaf community experiences music. She said some performed songs in South African Sign Language while others feel the music through rhythm and vibration, adding that others dance by counting beats.
'My experience is my own, and it does not represent the entire deaf community, as everyone is different. I acknowledge the harm that can come when stories are shared without full context. I'm learning too, and I believe in inclusion that's rooted in truth, not performance,' she continued.
She wrapped up her statement with a message to the deaf community: 'I hear you. I see you. I respect the diversity within our community, and I will continue to grow.'
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