Entertainment

MBABANE – Internationally acclaimed DJ Uncle Waffles has spoken out strongly against ongoing criticism of her appearance, declaring that her body is not up for public approval.

In a candid video address, the South African-based local artist, whose real name is Lungelihle Zwane, said she had grown tired of persistent scrutiny ranging from speculation about her gender identity to comments about her weight. She told critics that her choices including her fitness and lifestyle decisions were personal and not intended to please others.

“I am not living to please you because my appearance is not to please you,” she said. “All the things that I am doing are for me.”

Uncle Waffles who rose to global prominence in 2021 with her Amapiano sets said she had faced years of damaging rumours. Among them were false claims that she was transgender, which she described as stemming from a Facebook post years ago. She said she initially addressed the matter not for her own sake, but to protect queer supporters who were being attacked online.

“At one point people even expected me to release a statement about my anatomy,” she said. “Who are you that I should explain myself to? I will never create an environment for that type of hate to fester.”

The DJ, now 25, revealed that she has also been subjected to harsh commentary about her weight, with some suggesting she should undergo cosmetic surgery or questioning whether she had lost ‘too much’ weight. She dismissed such criticism as baseless.

“Your only encounter with me is through a parasocial experience,” she said. “You don’t know me. You don’t know my goals. You don’t know anything.”

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Internationally acclaimed DJ Uncle Waffles has spoken out strongly against ongoing criticism of her appearance. (Pic: Mixmag)