Lamiez Holworthy’s addition to the new line-up at Metro FM is a dream come true which has been 11 years in the making.
The 28-year-old is having a self-care day in Cape Town that includes a spa treatment when we catch up over the phone. She deserves it after a busy Easter long weekend of DJing gigs and making her debut on Metro FM.
In recent years, it has been impressive to observe how Holworthy has positioned herself as the coolest female DJ on the decks. Dubbed “The Tattoo Lady” by fans, she is such a vibe with her signature dance moves.
It comes as no surprise that her name was there as co-host of the new dance show, The Penthouse Sessions, when the station unveiled their revamped line-up last week.
She will join Lulo Café on the show that airs on Saturday between 4pm and 7pm. “It’s still so unreal. It still feels like a dream. I grew up listening to Metro FM and that played a huge role into why I became a DJ,” Holworthy gushes.
“Starting off in radio 10 years ago, Metro FM was always the pinnacle that I wanted to reach. Getting my dream job at last is unreal.”
Holworthy’s radio career almost ended before it had even started when she was around the age of18. She landed a gig on campus radio station TUT FM with DJ Malwela, but after a year she was kicked out when it emerged that she was not a student at Tshwane University of Technology.
“Malwela had a show on the [campus] station and I joined him as a guest and people loved what I did on that day. He offered that I become his co-host and we did that for about a year until management discovered I wasn’t a student,” Holworthy remembers.
“I had to stop because unfortunately I wasn’t a student and at that time my mom couldn’t afford for me to further my studies. The most painful thing was having to stop doing something you love because you are not a student and had no control over it.”
Born and bred in Pretoria West, Holworthy is the oldest of three. She was raised in a multi-cultural home. Her mother is mix of Indian and coloured and her late stepfather was coloured, while her biological father is black African. She started deejaying at the age of 17.
“It’s been a rollercoaster 11 years. I started with my mom and dad taking me to gigs in a security van. Fast-forward to now I’m living every dream and ticking any box that I have set for myself. It hasn’t always been the easiest, but it has been worth it,” Holworthy shares.
“Deejaying was actually my mom’s idea because she knew how much I loved music and she suggested I keep myself busy by learning how to DJ. I then focused on building a solid brand and it’s safe to say it’s finally paying off.
“For me it warms my heart that my parents transported me because I was never stranded and I had the full support of my parents. They were there with me from the beginning and that’s something anyone can’t take away from me. I appreciate the sacrifices they have made and everything we had planned is happening now.”
Holworthy got her big television break in 2018 when she joined music show Live Amp alongside DJ Speedsta – following in the footsteps of Bonang Matheba, Pearl Thusi, Lerato Kganyago and Minnie Dlamini.
But did you know that before she joined the SABC 1 show she got her first taste of television on Tshwane TV?
“It’s crazy how all those seeds that I planted back then are finally paying off."
She is also releasing new music of her own with the song Sthokoze featuring Drip Gogo and The Lowkeys. “That song is just me playing homage to God and my ancestors for being so good to me. All that I am is because of them and I always say I am my ancestors’ wildest dreams,” Holworthy says.
“I want to grow in this industry outside of being a TV and radio personality as well as DJ. I want to create a legacy for myself and put my name on things that will outlive me. I refuse to box myself.”
At home, Holworthy is wife to rapper Khuli Chana. They have been married for nearly two years.
“I’m blessed enough to have married my best friend and to be married to a man that embraces me. A man that loves me and is not threatened by who I am – and where I am right now.”
Fact file: Lamiez Holworthy
Favourite actor: Robert Downey Jr.
Favourite movie: Matilda
Favourite food: Tinned fish
Favourite emoji: Woman gesturing OK
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