Actress and reality TV star Khanyi Mbau opened up about her life, career, and the attention surrounding her latest appearance.
Khanyi, who stars in the new Netflix comedy Meet the Khumalos, is no stranger to public attention. Whether it’s for her acting, her glamorous lifestyle, or her appearance, Khanyi always gets people talking. Her latest surgery, a blepharoplasty (or eye lift), has once again put her in the spotlight.
In August 2024, Khanyi underwent the eye lift procedure. She recently made her first public appearance with her new look at the Durban launch of Meet the Khumalos, and, as expected, everyone had something to say — some comments were positive, others not so much.
Speaking to True Love, Khanyi was very honest about dealing with people’s reactions.
“I’m still baffled by the power that brand Khanyi has,” she said. “Every time I step out — because I don’t step out often now — there’s always a buzz, be it negative or positive, and I don’t hold onto the negative because there are so many people that do so much and it goes unnoticed. But I do anything and people have to say something about it, and it’s been my whole life in this career. It’s part of my beast and I think that’s just the brand. So, I guess that’s just how they show love because it shows that you’re still impactful. We still see you, we still acknowledge you and that’s okay.”
Khanyi also explained that after any kind of facelift, it takes a full year for the face to properly settle. Her face is still healing and “moulding itself,” she said.
While she remains confident, Khanyi admits that the photos from the launch event were not her best.
“Although, also I look at the pictures and I’m like, oh, but they did me dirty! No, but also where we stood, I mean, it was hot and I’m swollen and I’m like, oh, it had to be on this day. And I knew when I saw this, I was like, hmm, it’s going to be a long month!” she laughed.
Despite the online chatter, Khanyi is focusing on her work. In Meet the Khumalos, premiering on Netflix on 11 April 2025, she plays Grace Khumalo, a woman whose picture-perfect life in an upmarket Umhlanga suburb is turned upside down. When her old high school rival Bongi Sithole (played by Ayanda Borotho) moves in next door with her family, chaos and hilarity follow — along with a sweet but forbidden love story between their children.
Khanyi says she’s proud to bring her “girl’s girl” energy to this fun, heartwarming film. And just like always, no matter what people say, she’s here to stay — confidently and unapologetically Khanyi.
