Actress and DJ Thuli Phongolo has officially stepped into a new chapter of her career with the release of her first EP titled AVANA. The project was released on Friday, 23 January 2026, just a day after she celebrated her 32nd birthday on 22 January. For Thuli, the timing was not just a coincidence but a meaningful moment that marked both personal and professional growth.
Speaking to TRUELOVE, Thuli explained that AVANA is deeply personal and rooted in storytelling. “It was a personal project for me. So, I wanted every single song to have storytelling because, for a long time people knew me for storytelling and my whole life, in as much as people think they know me, but there’s so much more of a story to tell behind it,” she shared. The EP reflects parts of her life that many people may not know, allowing listeners to connect with her on a deeper level.
Thuli is no stranger to the spotlight. Her journey began at a young age, from chasing auditions in her school uniform at just 15 years old to becoming one of South Africa’s most recognisable faces in entertainment. Now, she has firmly planted her name in the music industry with her first full body of work, released under her own record label, Avana Records. “The girl that’s standing here didn’t just wake up in the middle of any day and became a star, she worked her way through,” Thuli says.
She also spoke about how her life experiences influenced the music. “I’ve had gradual success throughout and also, just as a woman, as a person, l’ve had my own lived experiences, so every story needed to feel like I can relate to it somehow and that’s how I want people to resonate with the music,” she explained.
Every song on AVANA was created in her home studio, allowing her to be honest and vulnerable. On whether she creates better music when she is in love or heartbroken, Thuli said, “I feel a bit of both. There’s always room to be creative when you’re happy. There’s always room to be creative when you’re heartbroken.” She added that going through life experiences helps her find stillness and clarity. “I don’t believe in things just being black and white, I believe in a balance, and that’s what this EP has.”
One of her proudest achievements is releasing the EP independently. “I invested every single cent in this EP and it’s under my record label with my distribution company,” she shared. Thuli was also very hands-on with the project, from the music to the visuals. “I’m definitely that hands-on artist down to my eyelash,” she said, explaining how involved she was in every detail.
With AVANA, Thuli Phongolo proves that this is only the beginning of her music journey, and she is fully in control of her story.
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