CELESTE NTULI: THE QUEEN OF COMEDY

They don’t call her the Queen of Zulu Comedy for nothing. We sit down with Celeste Ntuli and get to know this comedy powerhouse beyond the punchlines.

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The second Celeste steps on set, our cover shoot goes from being another day at work to feeling more like a family gathering, filled with belly-aching laughs, playful teasing and complete honesty. Everyone gets a hug as she introduces herself to the team and, just like that, you can’t help but be drawn to her magnetic personality. She’s warm, quick with the witty comebacks and never stops smiling no matter how early the flight she had to catch to be here.

Celeste Ntuli is known for her big voice and even bigger energy. She’s fearless and it shows in her comedy, defying norms wherever she goes and showing everyone that being a woman in a man’s world is never going to hold her back. From her early days in the world of comedy to sold-out shows on international stages, her singular life’s passion has always remained the same, and that is to make people laugh. She connects with people in a way that feels personal, as if she’s a childhood friend – and with every hearty guffaw reminds us that laughter truly is the best medicine.

NO MATTER WHAT, I DON'T THINK I WILL EVER STOP BEING AN ARTIST

As she gets her make-up touched up between shots, we get to know her better, and it’s easy to lose track of time. She shares her new interest in gardening – introduced to her by her sister – and her undeniable belief in the cosmos, and that she may or may not be trying her hand at adding the title of author to her already well-established list of accomplishments. She’s a bookworm who enjoys immersing herself in literature that helps her be the best version of herself that she can be. “I love learning from characters who are doing things that they feel are good for them or are destined to do regardless of the situation.”

FROM ROOTS TO ROUTES

Growing up in a “large, loud, vibrant and artistic” family with eight siblings meant there was never a dull moment. Her gift of the gab is hereditary. “I took after my dad, who was just a huge conversationalist. He loved to talk.”

She shares that it was also her dad, and a strict household, that taught her the importance of being steadfast in who she is. When she first started out in comedy in 2005, her loudest cheerleaders were her sisters. They attended her very first show, and while they did not completely board the funny train at that stage, they saw her potential and have been supporting her in every way since.

“They told me that they know that I am funny at home, so they were not shocked that I was trying my hand at being a comedian.”

While there were pros and cons to growing up in a large family, Celeste says that the biggest impact her upbringing had on shaping who she is today is that it ignited the wanderlust in her to travel as much as she can and experience what the world has to offer.

I’M BLESSED THAT WHEN I CLOSE MY EYES AND I THINK OF PEOPLE, I HEAR THEM LAUGHING

SIMPLY CELESTE
Entering the world of comedy was serendipitous for Celeste. Inspired by a friend of her sisters and seeing Whoopie Goldberg as a role model, it wasn’t long before she joined the drama club in high school. She went on to study entertainment technology at the Durban University of Technology and dabbled in every behind-the-scenes job she could get her hands on.

But raw talent like Celeste’s needs to be in front of an audience, and it wasn’t long before she found herself with a spot on SABC 1’s So You Think You’re Funny in 2009 – and she hasn’t looked back since.

“I’ve worked at a call centre and been a book seller. Besides that, I’ve always been in the creative industry. You know how some artists are like, what happens if this doesn’t pan out? For me, this will never stop. No matter what, I don’t think I will ever stop being an artist.

“When you’re still figuring out that this is something you need to do, it becomes a craft. It becomes something that you are talented at. But the more you do it, the more it becomes your purpose. That’s why this is my purpose.”

To Celeste, living her life unapologetically and as authentically as she can has always been important. “I’m a big girl and I will forever be a big girl. I’ve advocated for people to be comfortable with their bodies, but I’ve also always been conscious of not being unhealthy. I think I’ve also hindered my weight-loss journey because I was so conscious of losing my audience if I lose weight.”

However, with years of experience and much growth in the industry, she has learnt to trust that her audience loves her for who she is and will remain loyal to her no matter what.

“Comedy is more about storytelling and being vulnerable, and the more vulnerable you are with people, the more you change. That’s the greatest advantage of being an artist. We grow in front of people at different stages of our lives. I understand now that people appreciate it when you show you’re vulnerable.”

STAYING TRUE

Fans might be surprised to learn that despite Celeste’s larger-than-life persona, she is deeply rooted in her spirituality. “Most people take me at face value. They think that I’m so rowdy and so raw, and my voice does not help!” she laughs. “And I don’t deny the allegations. But I’m also spiritual. I’m so deep. I’m so sensitive. I’m very much aligned with astrology and cosmic things – I really believe there’s something bigger than us.”

Celeste may not be very religious but her deep spirituality is what keeps her grounded. “I believe in being kind to the next human being. I keep to myself and love comedy so much. The biggest part about comedy that I love is seeing people laugh.

“I always say, I’m blessed that when I close my eyes and I think of people, I hear them laughing. I’m very lucky – people who work in hospitals, they hear cries every day. I hear laughter, tons and tons of laughter, thousands of people laughing at the same time.”

Despite the glitz, glam and fame of the world of entertainment that Celeste is a part of, when she steps off the stage she sees herself at her very core as that girl from Empangeni who enjoys the simple pleasures in life. “I find myself in these fancy spaces because that's where I work. But when I go back home, I do the most basic things. I don’t have the most extravagant lifestyle. I garden and I crochet! That’s how I spend my time.”

She reveals that her favourite way to unwind when she goes home is to sit in a shady spot under a tree and enjoy a nice home-brewed glass of umqombothi. “When the eyelashes come off, I’m barefoot in my mom’s garden helping her. This is me!” she says proudly.

COMEDY IS MORE ABOUT STORYTELLING AND BEING VULNERABLE, AND THE MORE VULNERABLE YOU ARE WITH PEOPLE, THE MORE YOU CHANGE

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

The past year was a great year for Celeste. Highlights included her very first magazine cover shoot with her mom, the absolute smashing success of her show Celeste and Da Big Dudes, as well as the fact that after 20 years in the industry, this was the year her mother attended her shows for the very first time.

Celeste says she’s worked very hard over the course of her career and so now she’s shifting focus to making sure she’s looking after herself. Her goals for 2025 are to maintain a healthy lifestyle and take stock of her life. But that doesn’t mean she’s looking to retire just yet. Oh no! She hopes to appear in a sit-com as well as continue to perform on stages all around the world. From London to New York, Celeste Ntuli wants to conquer it all.

Follow Celeste Ntuli on:

Facebook: Celeste Ntuli
Instagram: @celestentuli
X: @celestentuli
TikTok: @celestentuli_


Words by Rughsaar Bibi Ismail
Photography: Zhann Solomons
Styling: Calista Da Luz
Photography assistants: Yasser Abdul & Austin Taylor

Styling assistants: Mia-Tess Smith & Tina Tshangela.
Hair & make-up: Jacqui Viljoen/Supernova