Former ‘Generations: The Legacy’ actor Vusi Kunene will be starring as Funani Zwide in the new e.tv drama series, ‘House of Zwide’. Image via Twitter @khumalodanica
‘Rock star actor’: How Vusi Kunene’s failed music career led to acting fame
Iconic actor Vusi Kunene who currently stars in e.tv’s ‘House of Zwide’, has opened up about how ‘Shell Road to Fame’ crushed his music dreams and how he got into acting.
Former ‘Generations: The Legacy’ actor Vusi Kunene will be starring as Funani Zwide in the new e.tv drama series, ‘House of Zwide’. Image via Twitter @khumalodanica
Award-winning actor Vusi Kunene has won millions of hearts with every role he’s played.
From Isibaya’s Bhekifa, Isidingo’s Jefferson Sibeko, Generations: The Legacy’s Jack Mabaso, Gomora’s Rodney and now as a fashion guru in e.tv’s new soapie, House of Zwide, which premieres on 19 July.
ALSO READ: New rags-to-riches drama ‘House of Zwide’ set to replace ‘Rhythm City’
Vusi Kunene’s rock star dreams
Fans of Kunene will be surprised to learn that the multi-talented actor wanted to be a singer.
According to an interview with the Sowetan, Kunene tried to pursue singing when he was growing up, sang a lot with his friends and was even involved in the school choir.
Kunene confessed that he dreamt of becoming a rock star in a band. But his dream faded when the talent search competition programme Shell Road to Fame crushed his aspirations.
Shell Road to Fame
He attended the Shell Road to Fame singing, dancing, and acting classes at Wits University where he learnt how to sing and play instruments.
The first time I entered Shell Road to Fame, I was terrible. The second time I thought I did well and I waited for a positive response, only to get a letter of rejection.
That broke me, in a way. I worked hard for that.
ON BECOMING A TOP ACTOR
His acting career began when he was given a small role and killed the part.
The actor dropped out of his teaching course at Vista (now known as the University of Johannesburg) and immersed himself in a lot of community theatre plays.
He enrolled at the Wits School of Drama in 1991 and starred in student plays such as Zakes Mda’s The Hill, directed by Scandal! actor Jerry Mofokeng wa Makhetha (Neo Mokgethi).
He also participated in community theatre plays like Strings Attached and Bambu.
He told the Sowetan:
I had a long monologue in front of hundreds of people. I got the script today and the following day I knew every line.
VUSI KUNENE AS FUNANI ZWIDE IN ‘HOUSE OF ZWIDE’
Kunene surprised his fans earlier this year when he bid farewell to Generations: The Legacy where he played the role of Jack Mabaso for more than five years.
e.tv announced that Kunene has joined its new rags-to-riches drama titled House of Zwide which has replaced Rhythm City in the role of Funani Zwide — South Africa’s biggest fashionista, founder and owner of House of Zwide.
Also read: Top actors join cast of new rags-to-riches fashion drama ‘House of Zwide’
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