Shashi Naidoo is one of South Africa’s most recognizable and accomplished media personalities. In addition to her roles as an actress and TV presenter, she has also made a name for herself as a model, entrepreneur, and fashion blogger.
She first rose to fame in 2002 when co-hosted the E.TV magazine show 20 Something. She then went on to host the MTV VJ Search, a nationwide competition to find new VJs for the popular music channel. Naidoo has starred in numerous TV shows and films and has been the face of many advertising campaigns.
She started as a model and later transitioned into acting, appearing in several television series and movies. She also hosted her talk show, “The Shashi Naidoo Show,” for a few years. In recent years, she’s branched out into other areas of the entertainment industry, including music and reality TV. She’s been recognized for her work with several awards, including a South African Film and Television Award.
Early Life
Naidoo (born 4 November 1979). She was born and raised in Port Elizabeth and graduated from Alexander Road High School in 1997 to Harry and Punji Naidoo.
Education
She moved to Johannesburg to study chiropractic medicine, which she completed in 2007 at the University of Johannesburg.
Career
Naidoo entered the public eye in 2004 when she portrayed the character of Linda McGinty in the E.TV soapie Backstage. Following a brief appearance in the SABC1 soapie Generations, she also appeared in a minor role in the 2007 mini-series Society. On 2 October 2007, she began co-presenting the youth magazine show EMS Volume 1 on SABC1.
In 2008, Naidoo completed a six-month stint on the MNET soapie Egoli, playing the role of Sureshni Patel. Over the years, she has participated in numerous television and print commercials, serving as a model and brand ambassador for various companies.
In 2008, Naidoo was featured in the FHM calendar 2008, voted number 14 in FHM’s 100 sexiest women in the world, and fourth in 2009. Additionally, she was the Cosmopolitan September 2008 cover girl and appeared in the 2009 Sports Illustrated. She was also one of the leading personalities in Woolworth’s campaigns for 2008 and 2009.
In 2009, Naidoo went on to win the coveted January 2009 cover of Playboy and the February 2010 issue. These covers showcased the calendar for 2009, and she was also the presenter of the Mnet Calendar Television show, which was shot on location in Zanzibar.
Shashi Naidoo is a co-host of South Africa’s TV show Tongue in Cheek on SABC 3.
Personal Life
Naidoo is a Hindu by religion. She dated reality TV contestant Ismail Hendricks, who appeared on The Apprentice South Africa in 2005.
After dating for a time, she married Mark Sandler in December 2009. However, their marriage was short-lived, and they divorced in 2011.
Media Controversy
Shashi Naidoo has been no stranger to controversy in the media.
In 2018, she faced backlash for comments she made about Israel on social media. In the post, she criticized the South African government’s decision to recall its ambassador to Israel and downgrade its embassy in Tel Aviv. She was accused of being pro-Israel and of not understanding the history and politics of the region. In response, she apologized for her comments and acknowledged that she had offended.
In 2019, she was suspended from her role as a judge on the reality TV show “Idols SA” after she made comments about gender-based violence in South Africa. In a social media post, she said that men and women both contribute to the problem of gender-based violence, which was widely seen as victim-blaming. She later apologized for her comments, saying she did not intend to minimize the problem of gender-based violence.
While these controversies have caused some to criticize Naidoo, she has also received support from others.
Awards
Shashi Naidoo has received numerous awards and accolades throughout her career.
In 2006, she was named one of South Africa’s “Top 100 Young Professionals” by the Mail and Guardian. She was also nominated for a Duku Duku Award for her role as a host on the show “Top Billing.”
2008, she was nominated for a South African Film and Television Award for Best TV Presenter. In 2010, she was named one of South Africa’s “Top 50 Women in Business” by Cosmopolitan magazine.
In 2015, she received the Visionary Award from the Institute of Marketing Management.
Age
She is 44 years of age. Born on 4 November 1979.
Social Media
Follow Shashi Naidoo on all her social media platforms:
Instagram
Facebook
Twitter
Net Worth
Shashi Naidoo has amassed a sizable net worth. According to some estimates, her net worth is around $2 million. This figure is based on her income from acting roles, TV hosting gigs, and endorsements.
