JA: For someone who doesn’t know you, who would you say you are?

Dineo: An artist who followed her dreams down the yellow brick road and has currently found herself in the spotlights of grace, joy and living life lesson to lesson but is still on her path to success.

JA: Tell us about your upbringing and education.

Dineo: I grew up in the East Rand of Johannesburg, was raised by a village of amazing women who instilled enough courage within me to pursue my dreams hence the reason why I found myself at the National School of the Arts at 16 and The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music at 19.

JA: How did you break into the world of entertainment- as presenter and actress?

Dineo: I started on Soul City 10 in 2010 playing a supporting role, did a cameo on City Ses’la, my first indie film in the form of Skyf (the movie) as a lead, another cameo in the Winnie movie and in that very same year got O-Access hosting gig. Basically, 2010 was my break out year.

JA: What does a day in Dineo’s life look like?

Dineo: It is never the same, you can be sure of that.

JA: You are a musician too, take us through your musical journey.

Dineo: I started singing at 13, auditioned for NSA at 15, enrolled there at 16 then went to varsity at The New School for Jazz & Contemporary Music.

JA: Which three female artists in South Africa would you love to work with, musically?

Dineo: For writing & composing purposes, Maleh, Thiwe, Bucie.

JA: When are getting our hands on your album?

Dineo: That is something you’ll find out with everyone else unfortunately.

JA: Music, Acting and Presenting- which one comes first to you?

Dineo: I don’t choose but I know which one I’m most vulnerable for…

JA: What’s playing in your car right now?

Dineo: Elle Varner’s Perfectly Imperfect, Frank Ocean’s Channel Orange and Maleh’s Step Child.

JA: When not entertaining us, what do you do to unwind?

Dineo: I mostly hang out with the people I love. I’m all about the company as opposed to the activity.

JA: What are the pros and cons of being in this cut throat yet exciting industry?

Dineo: If you don’t learn quickly, you’ll get left behind but the greatest pro about it is the fact that at the heart of it all your creativity & intelligence gets you further than gimmicks.

JA: What are the highlights of your career?

Dineo: They’re still coming because I’m still chasing after them.

JA: What’s the coolest thing about being a woman in this day and age?

Dineo: The freedom to speak your mind.

JA: What’s the first thing you do when you wake up?

Dineo: Reach for my phone.

JA: What makes Dineo cringe?

Dineo: The smell of paw-paw and a bad weave.

JA: Any regrets?

Dineo: None yet

JA: What’s the biggest misconception about you?

Dineo: That I’m “Miss Goody Two Shoes”

JA: What’s in your handbag?

Dineo: If I start telling you, I won’t stop

JA: In an industry of egos, what keeps you grounded?

Dineo: My family, friends and my man

JA: Which three Africans do you think are as Jucy as you?

Dineo: I don’t believe in comparisons so I’ll say they’re Jucy in their own right . My mother, my aunt, my grandmother.

JA: How do you deal with twitter negativity and negativity in general?

Dineo: Sarcasm, it’s usually wasted on such people and usually they don’t get it thus they make themselves look silly.

JA: How would you like to be remembered?

Dineo: An icon, a star, an unrivaled talent and an incredible business woman.

JA: Let’s play Mack, Marry and Flush

1. Zolisa Xaluva – Maybe Mack

2. Trevor Noah – Flush

3. Sizwe Dhlomo – Flush

JA: What would you like to say to your fans, and those who aspire to be just like you?

Dineo: Be the best version of yourself you could ever be and don’t aspire to be like someone aspire to be better.

Folllow Dineo @therealdineo

Dineo dressed by Sowearto Rosebank

Styled by @KgosiLesego of FearLes Styling

Photography by Lee @ThickLeeyonce

Make up by Noluthando

By: @BonnieMes