DJ and face of Levi’s® Curvy Jeans, Thuli Phongolo doesn’t believe in limits, and her seamless transition from acting to music speaks volumes. She chats to us about the obstacles she faces as a female DJ, and her approach to wellness.
FIT FOR PURPOSE
Thuli Phongolo’s wins are notable, so it’s disheartening to learn she still faces challenges as a woman in the entertainment industry, “such as being heard and taken seriously. As a woman who’s not afraid to speak out about matters that affect me, society or the environment, I find it difficult to accept when people invalidate my opinion or perspective because I’m a woman. I also don’t appreciate that you have to put on a tough facade to maintain your boundaries. Additionally, constantly having to prove that you’re worth the opportunities and accolades you receive and your achievements is another unending battle we face as women. People always want to credit everyone else for a woman’s success but [won’t attribute it] where it’s due.”
Vocal and self-aware, she says she gravitates towards conversations that celebrate and encourage individuality. “I like it when people feel free to truly be themselves without fear of being judged. It adds a splash of colour to my life and surroundings; experiencing different personalities and opinions propels me to be open-minded, which is enriching!”
Social media makes it possible for people to engage, and Thuli is no stranger to trend lists. How does she navigate this space? “It requires solid self-esteem and discernment. It’s important to separate people’s subjective views from yours. I use social media, in particular, to showcase my work and leverage my brand, so to some extent, I incorporate business ethics into my online presence to ensure I have a healthy, profitable and sustainable brand. I also try not to take it too seriously. I laugh some things off or block and move on.”
It makes sense that her header on Twitter is ‘take care of your energy’. She shares that this approach helps to keep her mental health in check.“I filter what I take in. I try to be objective enough to understand that, in most cases, negativity isn’t about me; it’s just people projecting. I’ve made a point not to take on baggage that’s not mine, especially from social media. Furthermore, I don’t mind going on a social media hiatus whenever I feel overwhelmed.”
LIVING UNBUTTONED
A social media detox sounds like a great idea from a wellness perspective, and she affirms that it’s about finding a balance. “Taking care of my spiritual, physical, emotional and mental health keeps me still amid chaos.” How does she pour that into her cup? “Self-introspection is key. I evaluate why I do what I do, I am how I am, how I’d like to be and how I can get there. I also go to therapy to heal, discover myself and work on being a better person in all aspects of my life.”
It’s also remarkable that she remains grounded in an industry where it’s easy to lose yourself. “ I attribute this to the morals and values my family instilled in me. I take pride in remaining true to myself yet understanding that I’m no better than the next person, irrespective of our differences. My humility always overpowers my ego.”
Looking back at her journey, unfolding beautifully before our eyes, Thuli says, “I know that failure lies in quitting. If you keep going, you’ll reach the finish line! Your direction might change, but there’s always a destination to a journey.”
What would she say to her younger self? “I’d say, thank you for being brave through the noise. It brings me so much peace to know that you fought for me to be my best, regardless of the doubts and setbacks you’ve encountered.”
On that note, what’s her message to women who aren’t present to their potential or possibly afraid to venture into the unknown?
“You’re missing out! The unknown holds endless possibilities, and you’ll never know what sets your soul on fire unless you put yourself out there and tap into your full potential. “Limitations aren’t a reflection of safety but fear and self-imprisonment. Escape that!”
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