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Entertainment royalty: Coachella Randy talks being intentional about his impact
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From his side-splitting comedic online skits to his impeccable fashion choices, Coachella Randy has made his mark as an all-around entertainer.
Born Oratile Masedi, the award-winning content creator has risen in the world of entertainment, ensuring and embracing creativity and authenticity from the outset and throughout.
Randy is considered entertainment royalty, with his late mother being the iconic Jam Alley host and actress Vinolia 'V-Mash' Mashego and his late grandfather being the late TV producer and broadcaster Collins Mashego.
Through his infectious personality, hard work and lineage, Coachella Randy was born.
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He tells TRUELOVE how he got his recognisable stage name.
'Randy is a nickname I got from my grandfather growing up, he used to call me that from a very young age. Coachella - I'm a very big fan of Beyoncé, not because I'm queer but because she changed my life, literally. How I see my life and everything and how I approach life through her music and everything.
'So, when she first headlined Coachella, the first Black woman to do that, that's when I realised Beyoncé's impact in my life.'
An all-around entertainer
Venturing into the entertainment industry wasn't Randy's first choice and he emphasises how he has no desire to act or be on television.
'Funny thing, I wanted to be an athlete, I'm very good at that as well. I never saw myself on TV or in the entertainment industry at all,' Randy reveals.
'But I do remember taking notes when my mom would do scripts or when she wears something, when she puts on an outfit, when she does her makeup, I would be so fascinated. But I didn't know where this fascination came from, so I really didn't think that - maybe I do have some love for that. But then it's been me learning and me trying to figure out ukuthi how can I also be like that, But I don't want to do that.'
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A support system like no other
From his asymmetrical and eclectic personal style reminiscent of 1990s fashion trends to his outgoing personality, Randy shares how the root of all of his inspiration is his mother.
Randy acknowledges that not all queer youth are blessed with a support structure from their family.
He shares, 'The fact that there have to be activists that go out there and fight and say, 'Live your truth, take your power', it hurts me so much. The fact that queer people need to come out, queer people need to speak this, do that and clarify this and that about their lives, it hurts me so much.
'But I want to say that already, that is a lot for us. The best thing you can do for yourself is to live your truth but I feel like it starts from within. When you start being honest with yourself and who you are, it becomes easier for it to reflect outside.'
Randy adds, 'Fortunately - and it's also so sad to say fortunately - my mom accepted me from a very young age, I never had to come out. I think fifth grade I had earrings on. I remember my mom addressing my classroom ukuthi 'We're not going to have a problem. You guys can see my child is gay, so we're not having that conversation'.
'So, it was amazing, fortunately for me, that I had that upbringing and I wish it upon everyone but it's not possible.'
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Intentionality and impact over everything
Randy is at a point in his life where the biggest project he's working on right now is himself. Surviving and going public with heartbreak plus dealing with the loss of his mother and grandparents in the last five years has shifted something in Randy.
He tells us, 'I'm three months into my sobriety, I've stopped alcohol. I'm one month sober from nicotine, I've stopped completely. So, that is something that is so huge and so dear to me.
Intentionality and impact over everything
'I think I didn't understand or realise how personal this year is going to be for me. But God really took charge and He redirected me, He's the centre of my life. Someone said to me, you are the greatest project you can ever work on.'
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