Khanyi Mbau, former The Wife actress and reality TV star, is no stranger to the limelight—or the surgeon’s chair. But when it comes to confidence, Mbau has a message that’s as bold as her looks: cosmetic surgery and self-love aren’t even in the same neighbourhood.
In a candid chat with TshisaLIVE, Mbau laid it out clearly: “We first need to understand surgery and self-love have no relation,” she said, dismissing the notion that going under the knife has anything to do with a lack of self-esteem. “People have tried to cushion their discomfort about what they feel is taboo by labeling their projections and saying surgery is a result of a lack of self-love.”
If there’s one thing Mbau has in spades, it’s confidence. “I am a naturally confident person, so any procedure has never been about self-love and self-confidence,” she declared. For her, self-love is something much deeper, something that can’t be bought or applied. “Self-love is not something you apply. Self-love is love.”
Mbau’s perspective is shaped by her experiences and exposure to different cultures, places, and ideas. “Cosmetic surgery is an expression of freedom of self-expression. I am not of this body; it only houses my soul. It’s my character that should define my values, not what I look like,” she added, taking a philosophical stance on the often-controversial topic.
The star of Netflix’s Young, Famous, and African has reportedly undergone a range of procedures, from Botox and fillers to liposuction and breast augmentation—twice, no less. But Mbau sees her body as a work of art, a canvas to be shaped and moulded as she sees fit. Back in 2017, she explained, “I had a boob job. I have always been teased in this country for being a doll and fake, pink skin and not liking being black. But I feel that I always want to get out of the box.”
Her message to women is clear: your body is yours, so don’t be afraid to experiment. “We need to experiment and that’s why we are given the mind. Your body is your artwork, your canvas, do what you want,” she said, encouraging others to embrace their own journey of self-expression, whether that includes surgery or not.
Main Image: SNL24