Latest news with #Modiselle
TimesLIVE
a day ago
- Entertainment
- TimesLIVE
Oprah, Bontle, Don Cheadle and more: 10 celebs who took decades to get to the altar
When the question of Cristiano Renaldo and Georgina Rodriguez's engagement came up on her Netflix reality show, the footballer's response that he was waiting for " that click" sent fans and viewers into a frenzy about when he would finally pop the question. This week they left the internet abuzz following the announcement of their engagement on Instagram after being together for nine years. Here's a look at celebs who took their time to say "I do". BONTLE MODISELLE AND PRIDDY UGLY A love story fit for the modern age, Modiselle and her rapper beau became a couple thanks to their shared love for dancing. In an interview with Insider SA, the couple shared Priddy had noticed Modiselle on SABC 1's competition show Jika Majika. He would pursue her at hip-hop events, kicking off a 10-year relationship until they wed. ALESSANDRA AMBROSIO AND JAMIE MAZUR Like many couples on the list, Ambrosio and Mazur spent a long time engaged, 10 years to be exact. Their relationship began in 2005, according to reports, but hit splitsville in 2018. JOHN CORBETT AND BO DEREK While many fans might know John Corbett for his role as the on and off boyfriend of Sex and the City character Carrie Bradshaw, he has been in love with his actress wife Bo Derek since 2002. They made it official after 18 years with a wedding at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. "We're pretty private people. We didn't make an announcement,. All our friends and family knew but this is the first time either one of us has said anything publicly about it because we haven't had an opportunity," he said in an interview on the daytime show The Talk. Corbett said the two met as dates set up for the Oscars in 2002 by his agent at the time. MICHELLE YEOH AND JEAN TODT Blending the glitz of Hollywood and fast-paced action of Formula 1, Yeoh and Todt made an exciting couple to follow. Their mostly private lives have kept them out of the limelight and with little pressure to push things forward on a wedding. In 2004, Yeoh was engaged to Todt and they got married in July 2023. Their love story was shared on their wedding programme. INDIA HICKS AND DAVID FLINT WOOD As a bridesmaid at Princess Diana and Prince Charles' wedding, all eyes have been on Hicks and Wood since they started dating in 1995. In an Instagram post, Hicks said they had made plans to wed in 2020, but due to the pandemic, they kept postponing, making the eventual walk down the aisle a 26-year wait. TINA TURNER AND ERWIN BACH While Tina is best known for her tumultuous relationship with Ike Turner, she did move on to find a healthier relationship with producer Erwin Bach. Speaking in the Tina documentary, Bach said he met her at Düsseldorf Airport in Germany when her manager, Roger Davies, asked Bach to fetch her. It would take 27 years before they married in 2013. DON CHEADLE AND BRIDGID COULTER In another pandemic wedding, Cheadle and Coulter finally tied the knot after being together for close to 30 years. The private couple said they never saw the point of a wedding since they were in love, and while their proposal was more a formal decision, it was the first year they met that had the magic, according to Cheadle. "Just me and her and our kids and our dogs," he told People Magazine. JOY BEHAR AND STEVE JANOWITZ Comedian and talk show host Behar has long shared her unapologetic opinions on stages and social media. The straight shooter's marriage, however, was extremely unconventional. She confessed they met at a semi-nudist colony on her show The View. It took the pair 30 years to get hitched at a private ceremony in 2011. Behar said: "If he was going to get down on one knee, I wanted it to be during the time when he could still get up from one knee." OPRAH WINFREY AND STEDMAN GRAHAM Perhaps one of the most infamous relationships and engagements, Winfrey and Graham have had many tabloid and wedding magazines waiting to see what the billionaire Queen of Media would wear and do for her big day. They met in 1986 and got engaged in 1992. It was only in 2017, after fake news that the two had eloped that Winfrey revealed they felt an official marriage "requires a different way of being in this world".
The Citizen
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Refilwe Modiselle gently tackles misconceptions and myths about albinism with her children's book
Modiselle published 'Zizi's World: Through Her Vanilla Eyes', a story that encourages children to celebrate their individuality. It's easy for one's heart to be hardened by traumatic experiences. For Refilwe Modiselle, who lives with albinism, the ostracisation that comes with her skin condition hasn't dented the person. 'I don't believe in aggression, I think that's how I conducted myself generally. I'm a very outspoken person, a lot of people know that I say what I say and I mean what I say. But I do it with a respect,' Modiselle tells The Citizen. The media personality recently published a children's book, Zizi's World: Through Her Vanilla Eyes, a story that encourages children to celebrate their individuality and treat others with respect and compassion. The story is centred on Zizi, a bright, confident girl with albinism. By definition, albinism is a genetic condition characterised by a lack or reduction of melanin, the pigment that gives colour to skin, hair, and eyes. In African communities, misconceptions and myths about albinism harshly thrive. One of the most prevalent African myths about albinism is that individuals with albinism and their body parts have superpowers. This unfounded belief has led to the mutilation of throngs in Africa. ALSO READ: Radio 2000 broadcaster Ntombi Meso mends childhood traumas through her children's book Refilwe's homage to her parents In the story, Zizi's support structure is her parents, just as Modiselle's folks have been to her. Bringing 'Zizi's' parents into the story is Modiselle's way of honouring her parents, who showed her love from the day she was born. 'This was an honour for my parents and the love they instilled in me. Unfortunately, my dad is late, but this book honours the role that he played. It's so key for parents to understand the role that they play in who their kids become.' 'I am because they were who they were.' 'I was born in Soweto, the township. I did go through the questions, obviously, but, as a child, you're not cognisant of those things.' 'The book sort of highlights that. When you're born into a home that doesn't really note the differences of who you are, you don't feel the pinch of the pain. You only recognise those things when you're much older. Because I came from a loving home, I did not see those things', she says. ALSO READ: Refilwe Modiselle on being an inspiration Writing 'Zizi's world' The book was officially released on June 28. Modiselle was approached by Lingua Franca Publishers, a publishing company with a track record in children's literature, among other genres. 'I thought 'yoh, a book',' exclaims the media personality. She was initially taken aback by the offer, but she gradually opened herself up to the idea. Modiselle was approached in January, and she considered her creative direction in February, beginning to write in March. 'It took me about two or three weeks straight, as in locking myself up and writing the book,' shares Modiselle. 'I could've chosen any angle. For me, the most important thing was like 'oh, I've never seen a child with albinism in a book'.' 'This is important in terms of representation in terms of seeing myself and any other child with albinism or a person with a difference.' 'It was partially my story, but not entirely. Some parts have been twisted,' she says. Modiselle did most of the writing and handed it to the publisher. It was edited by Kudakwashe Dzache. 'I was given creative freedom to write, and they tweaked where they needed to tweak…and it [editing] was very minimal. When I sent the first draft, they were happy.' 'I've always said that yes I'm writing a children's book but that book is not 'a,e,i,o,u' it's not,' she exclaims. 'It comes down to the level of explaining to a child but allowing an uneducated person to also be able to understand at a basic level, so that they feel it.' ALSO READ: 'Live a life filled with purpose': Refilwe Modiselle in new digi-series Challenges remain Modiselle is frank in her assessment of how being a famous person who lives with albinism is slightly different to that of an ordinary citizen who has the same condition. 'Obviously, you will feel the treatment, but because you became a lot more famous and there was an understanding of who you became or what you presented to people, it doesn't mean that it became easier. It became softer, but not easier.' The trio of being a woman who is black and lives with albinism is one that firmly places one at the bottom of the barrel in society. 'It became slightly easier because people learn who you are, your essence. They kind of almost forget, but they don't. They don't forget what you come with.' 'Because you're 'Refilwe', you've made people kind of forget this thing, but they don't forget it. It doesn't mean that clients gravitate to me easily; they still have a sense of resistance.' Zizi's World: Through Her Vanilla Eyes has received a warm reception from those who have already purchased the book, and the actress says a second edition is not off the cards. NOW READ: Another one! Dr Musa Mthombeni graduates with a Master of Medicine
Eyewitness News
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Eyewitness News
Refilwe Modiselle's ‘Zizi's World' shines light on life through the eyes of a child with albinism
JOHANNESBURG – Media personality Refilwe Modiselle has taken a huge step in her career, adding the title of author to her list of achievements. The book, set to be released on Saturday, June 28, is a collaboration with leading publisher Lingua Franca. Speaking to Eyewitness News, Modiselle said her new book, 'Zizi's World: Through her Vanilla Eyes', addresses albinism and promotes inclusivity and diversification, aiming to educate parents, educators, and children about albinism and social integration. 'The book is based on Zizi, who is a child with albinism, and her experience of a child who moves from one environment to then is introduced to the next, but with the opening of her reality as a child with albinism', said Modiselle.
IOL News
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Refilwe Modiselle embarks on a groundbreaking literary journey with debut children's book
Refilwe Modiselle has taken a monumental step in her career by adding "author" to her impressive resume. Image: Ndi Media South African model and activist Refilwe Modiselle has taken a monumental step in her career by adding "author" to her impressive resume. In an emotional announcement shared on Instagram, Modiselle expressed her elation: "Adding AUTHOR to my resume is unbelievable! This is an unexpected dream coming to fruition after hearing people for years say, 'When will you write a book Fi?'" Her journey culminates in a touching children's book titled 'Zizi's World: Through her Vanilla Eyes', set to be released on Saturday, June 28. This literary venture, created in collaboration with the acclaimed Lingua Franca Publishers, aims to empower young readers while promoting themes of inclusion, self-love, and diversity awareness. The book tells the story of a young girl with albinism who moves to a new city and learns to embrace her uniqueness despite challenges. Zizi, a confident girl supported by loving parents, faces uncertainty when she starts primary school and notices few people look like her. With her parents' help, she finds strength in her identity. Modiselle, who has always had a deep affection for children, articulated her vision for the book: "I've also always felt like if I had a book to read that had representation for people like me, the world would be a lot kinder in grooming kids with more emotional intelligence." Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Through her story, she hopes to address vital topics such as bullying, respect, and acceptance, touching on experiences close to her heart as a person with albinism. The book is hailed as the first of its kind in South Africa, bringing much-needed representation to children who often find themselves overlooked in mainstream literature. "This just wasn't about writing a book; it was an intentional labour of love to teach children about embracing differences," Modiselle declared. In her heartfelt post, she shared, 'I hope & pray it fuels some education & the culture of reading too.' Reflecting on her childhood and the influence of her father's love for reading, she expressed her gratitude for the foundational role it played in her life, stating that her dad would be immensely proud as she embarks on this new phase, coincidentally launching it on his birthday weekend.
