The Star Factor: Naledi Dineo Rabotapi on Acting, Amapiano, and Balancing It All
Bold, versatile, and deeply passionate about the arts, Naledi Dineo Rabotapi—widely known as Star—is carving her path across South Africa’s entertainment industry. Hailing from Bedfordview, Johannesburg, the multifaceted creative first captivated audiences as Zoleka in the hit telenovela ‘Isithembiso’ on Mzansi Magic. Since then, she’s worn many creative hats, from being an on-air personality on ‘Opulence Radio’ to spinning tracks as a DJ and hosting ‘The Yanos Plug,’ a platform celebrating the Amapiano movement.
With a role in ‘Outlaws,’ a Showmax series that explores tensions between two feuding families on the Lesotho-KwaZulu-Natal border, Star is proving that she’s a force to be reckoned with. In this interview, we chat with the thespian about her artistic journey, the challenges of balancing her various roles, and her dreams for the future.
When did you first fall in love with entertainment and realise it was the career for you?
I fell in love with entertainment when I was just seven years old. I started ballet lessons, and going to auditions gave me a sense of direction. That experience made me realise that I wanted to pursue this as a career. Dance was the gateway to everything else that followed.
You juggle several creative roles—acting, DJing, presenting, and more. Do you have a favourite among them?
Yes, acting is definitely my favourite. I love storytelling and portraying different characters. It’s such a fulfilling experience because I get to connect with the characters on a personal level and bring them to life in the most authentic way.
Tell us more about your acting journey and what it was like being cast in Outlaws on Showmax.
Initially, my heart was set on presenting, but acting opportunities kept coming my way. I decided to embrace those opportunities, hoping acting would eventually open doors for presenting. But during that process, I realised that acting is what I want to do for the rest of my life. Being part of Outlaws has been an incredible experience—it’s really helped me grow and gain recognition in my career.
You host The Yanos Plug and also incorporate Amapiano into your DJ sets. How do you think Amapiano has influenced South African entertainment?
Amapiano has created so many opportunities for the youth and brought international recognition to South African music. It’s a genre that has truly transformed lives, especially for those who have been hungry for success.
Speaking of music, you’re part of a DJ duo. Tell us about that and how it came to be.
The DJ duo is still a work in progress, but it all started when I met Leandra.Vert in the studio. We made some great music together as vocalists, and I’m big on energy. The connection we had inspired the idea of forming a duo because we click musically.
What career milestones or highlights do you cherish the most?
Being part of Isithembiso was life-changing for me. It opened so many doors, though I feel like I didn’t maximise the opportunity as much as I could have at the time. But it’s an experience I’ll always cherish because it was such a significant turning point.
Balancing multiple roles must be challenging. How do you stay focused and motivated?
It all starts with mindset. Staying positive, even in difficult situations, has helped me a lot. I believe that with the right mindset, faith, and perseverance, you can overcome anything. You have to challenge your mind to remain focused, no matter what.
As a young woman in the entertainment industry, what improvements would you like to see?
I’d like to see fewer comparisons between men and women in the industry—especially since we’re not the same and shouldn’t be measured by the same standards. More opportunities need to be created for women so that we can build sustainable careers and achieve financial stability.
What advice would you give to young people aspiring to enter the entertainment industry?
Network, work hard, and practice patience. Prayer and faith in the process are essential too. Surround yourself with people who believe in you and will keep you grounded. Humility is key—it opens doors you never thought possible. Above all, stay true to yourself.
What projects are you currently working on, and what can we expect from you next?
Right now, I’m focused on perfecting my craft in every way possible. I’m also working on new music, both as a DJ and an Amapiano vocalist. My goal is to stay consistent in all the talents God has blessed me with. There’s more to come—so stay tuned!
