Celeste Ntuli gears up for 'Celeste & DA BIG DUDES' after winning Comedian of the Year

Fresh off her win as Comedian of the Year, Celeste Ntuli is bringing the heat with her latest comedy spectacular, Celeste & DA BIG DUDES. Known for her fearless humour and commanding stage presence, Ntuli promises a night of unfiltered laughs, bold truths, and the kind of energy only she can deliver.

Marking 20 years in the comedy industry, Ntuli described winning the Comedian of the Year award at the Savanna Comics' Choice Comedy Awards as one of the most humbling moments of her career. 

She said receiving the award from Mpho Popps, a fellow comedian she began her journey with, made the moment even more special. It was a reminder of how far she has come, prompting her to quietly reflect on her growth, from humble beginnings to a celebrated career with exciting paths still ahead.

“To be recognised in this way, and by someone who has walked this journey with me from the very beginning, was truly emotional,” she said. “When your career hasn’t been heavily sponsored, and every step has been earned stride by stride, you realise that God has been in charge all along.”

Ntuli also expressed gratitude for the opportunities she’s had to produce her shows, highlighting the importance of supporting fellow artists. 

She shared, “I’ve been truly fortunate to not only do my shows but to bring other talented artists along with me. I need to create spaces where we can all grow and shine together.” This collaborative spirit, she believes, is key to strengthening the comedy community and nurturing new voices.

Ntuli, who is set to host the third instalment of Celeste & DA BIG DUDES, described the journey as incredible. The show uniquely blends comedy with live music, selling out in 2024 with a star-studded lineup featuring Bangani Fassie and Sjava. 

This year’s lineup promises to be just as electrifying, featuring performances by DJ Fresh, Lwah Ndlunkulu, Buhlebendalo, and Maseven. Growing up in a musical family, her dad had a band, and Ntuli has always had music close to her heart, which she seamlessly weaves into her comedy shows.

Reflecting on the growing scale of the event, she shared, “I told Fresh this year, I’m starting to get scared of the show because, wow, I wasn’t ready for myself to have such a handful of artists. I’ve always been part of a band, my dad had a band, and music has been a huge part of my life. It’s what I love, and it’s what I bring into my shows.”

She also hinted that she is currently working on an exciting new project for Netflix. While she couldn’t share full details just yet, Ntuli teased that fans will see her in a role unlike anything she’s done before, featuring hair weaves and a strikingly different persona.

“I’m loving the character. Wavy. It’s not me, but I’m loving it. I’ve been waiting for a character like this since shooting Isibaya, that’s drastically different. She’s your ordinary girl, and I like what she represents as a woman. She’s so faulty to the core,” Ntuli added.

Ntuli also shared that she plans to revisit two personal projects close to her heart,  her podcast and a book that has been in the works for some time. She admitted that she had to pause the writing process because it became emotionally overwhelming, and she was not satisfied with how it was coming together. 

“I didn’t like how it sounded. It was hard to go that deep.” However, she’s hopeful about picking it up again once her current projects are complete, saying the timing will soon be right to tell her story the way she envisions it.

Celeste & DA BIG DUDES will take place on August 8 at Emperors Palace in Johannesburg, starting at 8 PM. Tickets are available from Ticketpro, starting at R250. The Durban leg of the show is set for December 19, followed by the Cape Town edition on December 20.

The Star

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