Reality TV star Innocent “Inno” Matijane has opened up about his journey of self-discovery, spirituality, and his decision to take a break from the spotlight. After stepping away from social media and the entertainment industry, Inno is now returning with a renewed sense of purpose.
According to TshisaLIVE, Inno who has been candid about his transition, revealed that he needed time away from social media to focus on himself. He admitted that constantly being in the public eye took a toll on him, leading him to take a step back.
“I feel like I needed to regroup, stop giving so much of myself to social media, take a bit of time to detox and find out who I really am outside of the industry,” he shared.
During his time away, he realized the importance of privacy and setting boundaries.
“I value privacy so much in my life. It’s really not necessary for people to know everything that’s happening in my life,” he added.
Upon his return, Inno faced criticism, particularly from the LGBTQI+ community. However, he remained firm in his decision to share his truth.
“I don’t want to hurt people, but I need to tell my truth,” he said, acknowledging the controversy surrounding his journey.
His spiritual journey has been a major focus for him, leading to deep self-reflection and personal struggles.
“I’m still very much in a confusion phase. I was in a phase of finding myself, learning about myself, which hasn’t been easy because with that came spirituality, even before transitioning,” he explained.
Inno admitted that his transition journey was not easy, revealing that he battled suicidal thoughts and moments of desperation.
“I couldn’t take it any more — the pretence of feeling like I’m not living my life,” he shared.
He also expressed his concerns about the increasing number of young people transitioning at an early age.
“Kids need to be kids. I struggled with that,” he said.
After stopping his hormone treatment, Inno felt lost and even considered gender reassignment surgery. However, he eventually turned to his faith for guidance.
“I feel like now, where I’m at, God has always been convicting me that I am too focused on the flesh,” he revealed.
Although he no longer identifies as a trans woman, Inno acknowledged that his journey of self-discovery is ongoing.
“Are we really being inclusive if not all stories are being told?” he asked.
Now, Inno is preparing for his return to television. After previously joining as a trans woman, he now identifies as a man again after embracing his faith.
The highly anticipated fifth season of his reality show is set to premiere on April 19, 2025, airing on Saturdays on Moja Love TV. Fans can look forward to seeing familiar faces, including Tholang Motsumi, Elle, Matijani, and Thami.
With his newfound perspective, Inno is stepping back into the spotlight on his own terms, ready to share his story and inspire others along the way.
