From Crown to Character: A New Chapter for Zozi
When former Zozibini Tunzi swapped sash and smile for scheming and screen time, it felt like a shock at first to many fans. The 2019 Miss Universe winner turns actor in the new Netflix series Bad Influencer, playing Naomi Dlilanga—a role far removed from her real-life poise. Zozi admits it hit harder than she expected.
In a recent Instagram post, she shared images of herself as Naomi, accompanied by memes that reflect her own surprise at how deeply the character got under her skin. She said, “Naomi… you’ve made some people upset, my girl. I felt the same way too when I first read the sides for the audition, and I just knew that I really wanted to play her.” The show premiered on 31 October 2025 in more than 190 countries.
When the Audience Actually Hated You (in a Good Way)
The online reaction was instant. Viewers didn’t just dislike Naomi; they loathed her—within the safe borders of fiction. Comments flooded in: “You murdered this role, queen,” one wrote. Another: “That was not my Miss Universe—that was Naomi!” The hair department even got dragged after someone quipped, “Those wigs look like helmets.”
That reaction, while playful, speaks volumes. It means Zozi’s performance worked. She didn’t deliver a “light” villain. She gave us something that tapped into our own experiences—schoolyard rivalries, social-media envy, public personas—all filtered through South African spaces.
The Local Angle: A South African Star Getting Real
This marked turn from pageant queen to screen trope is brave in a South African context. For many years, Zozi was the golden girl. On the global stage, she stood for beauty, empowerment, and change. Now she’s flipped the script and shown another side to her craft.
In South Africa, the shift feels symbolic. Our creatives are no longer packaged only as “ambassadors of good.” They’re willing to roll in the mud, go for the grit, and bring local stories to streaming platforms. Bad Influencer touches on class divides, influencer culture, crime, and mobility in Mzansi—so for a South African star to inhabit the antihero is significant.
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Why This Role Matters for Her and for Mzansi TV
Zozi’s reflection is honest. She admits it was “a bit much for her,” yet she savoured the challenge. In a series built around social status and deception, her character, Naomi, is the enemy you love to hate. It’s a pivot for her brand and for what South African talent can attempt globally.
It also raises a fresh question: Does stepping into the darker side of storytelling help us see our own society more clearly? In South Africa, we often expect our exports to be uplifting. What if we let them be messy too?
Zozi’s Brave New Face
At the end of the day, Zozi has done something impressive. She chose a role that unsettled her and unsettled her audience. And in that discomfort lies authenticity. For fans of her previous image, this may be a surprise, but for South African entertainment, it is progress—bigger, bolder roles for our stars on global platforms.
So if you’re watching Bad Influencer and glaring at Naomi, know this: you’re also appreciating Zozibini Tunzi, the actor who made you feel something complicated. And that is worth applauding.
Source: Briefly News
Featured Image: Glamour South Africa
