Boity spreads her wings as the Butterfly on 'Masked Singer SA'

In the quarter-final of The Masked Singer South Africa Season 2, the four detectives of the craziest mystery singing contest on television unanimously pinned down the identity of the show’s beautiful Butterfly.

J’Something, Somizi Mhlongo, Sithelo Shozi, Skhumba Hlophe all guessed correctly that the bodacious pint-sized performer was Mzansi’s beloved media personality, rapper, businesswoman and influencer Boity Thulo.   

Nevertheless, it wasn’t an easy feat for the astute pack of celebrity hounds. With her surprising pitch-perfect vocal range and complex clues, Boity’s Butterfly spun a cocoon of confusion, entrapping the detectives for many weeks.

From the moment the flirtatious yet feisty Butterfly fluttered onto The Masked Singer South Africa stage, detective Skhumba was besotted with the dazzling winged costumed character.

J’Something also admired her voice when entertained by her debut performance of Dojo Cat’s “Paint the Town Red. The Micasa frontman believed she was a music star of note. 

Yet, the four investigators were dumbfounded about who the celebrity posing as Butterfly could be.

ALSO READ: Afrikaans icon Bobby van Jaarsveld unmasked as Mielie on Masked Singer SA

During her initial clue package, Butterfly revealed that she broke the internet when some of us were still caterpillars, and, despite countless rumours circling, she regarded the shade as “just noise”.

Butterfly was also clearly the life of the party, and Sithelo identified with Butterfly’s love for champagne. 

Notably, this set of clues played a vital role when the detective panel put together the pieces of the Butterfly puzzle on the day of her unmasking. 

As she was also presented with flower bouquets and mentioned her flying home with the trophy, Somizi surmised in this first round of the competition that Butterfly received flowers when she married a millionaire and often jets off to Dubai.

So, Somizi settled on Khanyi Mbai, while Sithelo picked Nonhle Thema, who created a social media stir many moons ago. 

However, once Butterfly replied to a direct question from Sithelo, J’Something and Skhumba followed the fast-moving masked creature in the right direction.

Sithelo wanted to know if Butterfly was a rapper, and she answered coyly, “Give me a mic, and it’s a w/rap.”

ALSO READ: Banyana goalkeeper Andile Dlamini bamboozles detectives on Masked Singer SA

So, Skhumba thought Butterfly was Busiswa Gqulu because she could rap, while J’Something hit the nail on the head, naming colourful rapper-girl Boity.

Then, in the following four rounds of the mystery singing contest, J’Something presented all the wrong names, mainly because Butterfly showcased her vocal range in various music genres.

She serenaded the fans with an unforgettable performance of Whitney Houston’s “How Will I Know”, caught the dance-pop disco funk beat of “Break My Heart” by Dua Lipa and positively killed local singer-songwriter Shekhinah’s “Suited.”

During these spectacular performances, the detectives also learnt that Butterfly is an artistic soul who can paint pretty pictures but is also into sports.

Furthermore, she was the queen of butterflies and the princess of the platinum province and often attended business meetings.

Among her other clues were being close to her grandmother, having a finger in many pies, being a loner always surrounded by noise, and transforming from a girl without self-confidence to a calm and collected mover and shaker.

A cricket ball or bat, pumpkin and microphone often appeared in Butterfly’s clue packages, making the guessing game even more complicated.

ALSO READ: Jessica Nkosi melts hearts as Ice Cream on The Masked Singer SA

Before the foursome finally caught the all-rounder with the designer wings in their butterfly nets on the evening of her unmasking, when she stunned everyone with her performance of the funky interpretation of the Amapiano hit “Funk 55” by Shakes & Les, Zee Nxumalo and  Dbn Gogo, they churned out a slate of random names throughout Butterfly’s metamorphosis on the show. 

J’Something thought Butterfly was brought to life by Thando Thabethe because of her closeness to her granny or the multi-talented Minnie Dlamini.

Somizi juggled Ntando Duma, Mihlali Ndamase and Rosemary Zimu, while Sithelo put forward Kelly Khumalo and Tuli Phongolo in different episodes.

Because of the pumpkin reference, Skhumba added Faith Nkesi and later diverted to Mmabatho Montsho.

Although the detectives did pick up some Boity vibes during the season, nobody except J’Something presented her as their final choice.

ALSO READ: Legendary actress Nthati Moshesh first to be unmasked on ‘Masked Singer SA’

The confusion persisted until Butterfly’s swansong in the quarter-finals. The giveaway for Sithelo was Butterfly holding a bottle and being a brand ambassador for several big-name brands.

Sithelo recalled Butterfly’s affinity for champagne and knew Boity “toasts with Moët”. 

Skhumba cottoned on to the Boity vibe, and Somizi recognized Boity’s voice, which he called “rat-like” in jest. He even quipped that her squeaky voice was not concealed in her clue packages.

Still, Somizi was not 100% sure of Butterfly’s identity until Butterfly stamped her feet when show host Mpho Popps announced she would be unmasked.

That temper and temperament belonged to Boity. 

Backstage after the show, Boity was chuffed about how she spread her wings from rapper to a singer who surprised everyone: “I think those are elements people have not seen of me before, and that might have thrown the judges off.”

Boity also confessed that she had wanted to be a Masked Singer since being a guest detective in Season 1.

“I knew I had to do it, “Boity said. “When I watched the performances in real-time, it was such a magical experience. I wanted to be part of it on the other side. And just let loose and don’t worry about what you look like. You don’t get a chance like that often.”

ALSO READ: Magnificent masks are lining up for The Masked Singer South Africa Season 2

Since Butterfly lost her wings in the quarter-final, Blue Crane is the last female mask on the show.

She will be up against Owl, Gold, Giraffe and Boombox in the semi-final on S3 on Saturday, 22 June at 18:30.

The Masked Singer South Africa, proudly sponsored by Andolex, is also rebroadcast on SABC 1 on Thursdays at 21:00 and S3 on Fridays at 18:00.