UNATHI OPENS UP

Former Idols judge and Kaya FM presenter Unathi Nkayi has publicly spoken out for the first time about the relationship she had with Somizi Mhlongo. The 45-year-old Unathi left Idols in 2021, and she was told she was not going to be part of Season 18. She said her contract at Idols was never renewed, and she and fellow judge Randal Abrahams found out through the media that they won’t be returning to do the talent show. She told the MacG Podcast and Chill about problems she had with Somizi, and the fact that he was convicted of sexual assault charges.

SHE SAW IT COMING

She said she knew her contract would not be renewed after she had posted about Somizi being convicted of sexual assault charges.

"I knew it (my contract not being renewed) was coming. Somizi was coming back, and I knew he wouldn’t want to work with me after the stance I took," she said. Unathi added: "Somizi was convicted of sexual assault. That’s why Idols took him off and R Kelly was also convicted of sexual assault. "Then I posted and said I was happy with R Kelly being convicted and some people were like, ’what about your friend’ "I said he?s (Somizi) not my friend, he’s Thomas’s friend. So I don’t have to defend anything?." Thomas Msengana, a fellow media personality, DJ and radio broadcaster was married to Unathi. The couple, who have two children, met in the early 2000s at YFM where they were colleagues.

NUMBERS DROPPED

Unathi said when Somizi had taken over on Idols, "They went from 13 millions viewers to 734 000 viewers". She added that when they asked Somizi what he wanted to do as the leading judge, "Somizi said one of the conditions is I don’t want to work with Unathi". That was how she lost her contract not to judge Season 18. During the podcast, Unathi didn’t even want to discuss anything to do with Somizi when McG asked if they are on speaking terms. She was clear and said: "He is Thomas’s friend guys. He is Thomas’s friend." Unathi also spoke about being in the media industry for over 20 years. She is one of the few artists who can be counted to have collaborated with multi Grammy winning musicians, Ladysmith Black Mambazo.

UPCOMING DOCUMENTARY

She said she will appear in a four-part documentary series alongside industry heavyweights like Simphiwe Dana, Zamajobe and Zolani Mahola of Freshlyground fame. In the podcast, Unathi delved on different subjects. She also spoke about being divorced for the past seven years, and being in open relationship with her partner, which has since been exclusive. Unathi explained: "Coming out of a marriage, I didn’t want to commit. I was honest in my marriage for 14 years and didn’t look the other way. I didn’t answer messages that were inappropriate.

"In my relationship now, we started off casual... with other people. And he started catching feelings and said, ’I don’t want to do this anymore." Unathi also dispelled rumours that her marriage to Thomas ended because of infidelity. She said she and hubby grew apart.

"It had nothing to do with infidelity," she said. "I’m a different woman than I was in 2014, than I was in 2004," she added. She also spoke about her work at Kaya FM and that she was fired at the station when their relationship became irreparable. Her matter is still on at the High Court where she said she is suing for defamation of character, crime injuria, wrongful termination of contract. Unathi said since her case is at the high court, she has financial backers who are taking care of her legal costs. Replying that she is not suing Kaya FM because her ego was bruised from having personal battles with staff at the radio station, she said: "My mom forced me to sue. What they did was wrong."

The Metro FM presenter said she turned down an offer to do the afternoon drive show which was presented by Mo Flava because she felt she was being used by management to disturb the growth of Mo Flava.