Bianca Le Grange

It’s Been 20 Years Already?

hen Ali(Alister Izobell) asked me to write an article for his new digital magazine I asked my husband, who was learning words for a new project he was shooting the next day, “Where are we going to fit this in?”

Between running a household, my new company, Between running a household, my new company, directing and project managing, prepping to be a presenter on a new show and going through an intense IVF program, I still have to find time to be Bianca Le Grange – the fourth runner up in the first ever Idols show - which to the disappointment of my fans I never won – and I thank you for the votes but please call me’s don’t count.votes but please call me’s don’t count.

Twenty years later I still have people tell me you should’ve won. Sometimes in interviews I have to correct interviewers and tell them, no I did not win. I was just a fourth runner up. Deep down I still feel it was rigged or maybe I know it was. But as you know me, I’ll always be controversial, honest and I’ll always be that busy B. I got it from my Mom-ager. My soulmate and my best friend, Mom-ager. My soulmate and my best friend, Aunty Bee.

So, a little about Aunty Bee. My mother Berenice AKA Aunty Bee Le Grange is a driving force in my life and in our community in Eldorado Park, Johannesburg. She was a teacher at Heerengracht Primary in Eldo’s and she taught music from our lounge and still does till this day. The first instrument she taught me to play was the Piano – not to be confused with AMApiano. Later I picked up the recorder and then the violin my grandfather gave me – that unfortunately is now collecting dust somewhere in the Zozo (Wendy house) at the back of our home. In my early days, singing was just something you were supposed to do in church. But my bestie, Kim August and I sang at every opportunity we could find - birthday parties, anniversaries, church bazaars, and eventually Club Je t’aime, which was the club Kim’s Uncle owned in Roodepoort on the West Rand. Then Aunty Bee, myself and Pastor Andrew Hefkie became the trio to book for Pastor Andrew Hefkie became the trio to book for your funeral… and your wedding. Mom would play the organ, Pastor would preach and I would “trek jou trane” or hit you with a cascade of joy. Joy is my second name by the way.

Idols didn’t happen for me, but I certainly took the opportunity and made it work for me. I negotiated a three-album deal with the help of my management at the time. We signed with BMG Records, whose now Sony. My first single, “Been around the world” went to number one on a few radio charts. I remember going into studio the first time and feeling so scared. I didn’and feeling so scared. I didn’t understand how it t understand how it all worked. But I knew what I could do. So, recordings didn’t take too long because I would just perform it like I was on stage.

I travelled intensely after Idols. I travelled in Africa, Europe, even South America so that I could appear on international stages. I opened for many International acts - Alicia Keys, P,Diddy, Beyonce, Jaggard Edge, Gloria Gaynor and Usher, who brought me onto stage after I opened for him(and not ‘open’, like the tabloids suggested). But like I said, I’m controversial. It was an incredi-But like I said, I’m controversial. It was an incredible time in my life. People booked me from all over – from small towns to the big corporate events. I was always being interviewed on TV and the tabloids were always talking about how I looked and who I was dating.

It was great and all but celebrity life wasn’t easy. I always over extended my budget on clothing, hair and makeup as to always look a certain way (remember my blonde hair). I made sure I was at every social gathering taking photos with the who’s who of that time.

But one thing I didn’t lose in the craziness of being a celebrity was my passion for the craft. I’ve produced and written many shows. My first show being Bianca and the Swing Sisters at Carnival City, Diamond Girls at Mount Carmel, and Bianca Revealed at The Baxter Theatre. I’ve created fundraising shows for schools. The most successful being the Now and Then Show. I’ve had my fingers in all aspects of the entertaining I’ve had my fingers in all aspects of the entertaining pie and as you can see with my waistline I love food. No, my fans haven’t t always been kind to me about my weight.

Alas, I’ve presented shows like ‘One’ on SABC 1. I was a Guest presenter on Pasela SABC 2 for years. I was a Guest presenter on Pasela SABC 2 for years. I hosted Tripper Trappe Tone on Via channel 147 and my travel show with hubby actor/writer/ producer slash singer, you can slash me anytime, is currently being broadcasted internationally.

And Now - How I met my fiAnd Now - How I met my first husband. There isn rst husband. There isn’t a ’t a second but you never know. That’s life. Who knows. Acting, like my relationships, was something I tried and tried and would go for many auditions and never get any roles… until I decided to do theatre. It’s almost like one had to pay your dues before being given the opportunity.

And I’ve payed my dues tenfold over. My first lead And I’ve payed my dues tenfold over. My first lead role was in Janice Honeyman’s Pantomime Cinderella and then Snow white. Later I won a Naledi award for my performance in David Kramer’s Blood Brothers. Then I played Anita in the smash hit musical ‘West Side Story ’ and was nominated for a Fleur du Cap and a Naledi. I finally got my future husband’s attention.husband’s attention.

I played Meisie in the Queen On Mzanzi Magic. And recently had the honour of acting alongside one of South Africa’s Icons Mr Zane Meas. I’ve performed in Extravaganzas at Sun City and Gold Reef City, I sang in Serenade your Bae, Soul nights 5 & 7 and released a music video entitled Kalimera that I directed and shot in Cape Town. Kalimera that I directed and shot in Cape Town. I’ve hosted and presented at the Naledi awards. Produced, performed and directed a celebration in honour of my mom-ager Aunty BEE where the cream of the crop came out to perform to a sold out crowd. I got to roast and perform for Soli Philander at the Life time achiever awards of the Comics Choice Awards. I did my first film with Leon Shuster and was featured I did my first film with Leon Shuster and was featured in ‘Pay back the Money’ and was later cast in Mzansi Magic ’s ‘The Mayor”, a comedy drama. I played in musical productions such as Madame Zingara, District 6 ‘Kanala ’the Narrator in Pieter Torien’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Soekie at the Artscape Theatre in Cape Dreamcoat, Soekie at the Artscape Theatre in Cape Town and in another hit musical Tsostsi. And that’s how I met the soul that is my husband. And through all of that I found my husband. Theatre and Performance made me naked. That’s how my husband presented himself to me. Naked. No really. After the end of the run of Blood Brothers he came into my apartment and he pulled ‘The Naked Man’. Google it.

So now we blow our own whistle or should I say horn and walk to the drumming of our beating hearts.

But don’But don’t get me wrong. Covid-19 took this beating t get me wrong. Covid-19 took this beating heart of mine to its limits.

During the Lock-down I found myself depressed and During the Lock-down I found myself depressed and twice infected. Our industry was hit so hard I was very concerned, especially about my fellow actors, dancers, and musicians. My Muso friends were leaving Johannesburg and going back home to their parents. It was really an awful time. Some even passed on. It was, I don’t know. I am still coming to terms with it. So, with the little resources we had, my hubby and a few of my industry friends decided we would start helping artist that were sitting at home. We shot online shows. Music shows, Comedy shows. We recorded many artists. My hubby came up with wonderful campaigns to raise funds. This saw the Birth of our company DWB Productions. Dominion With Blessing.

And now I find myself where you find me now while I am writing this article – directing and producing and project managing, prepping to be a presenter on a new show and going through an intense IVF program. Fee fie foo…

A side thought: I miss you Sha(Shaleen Surti-RichA side thought: I miss you Sha(Shaleen Surti-Richards) my industry mother. You did the most. I want to teach so many people about this industry that will leave you for dead.

Well, Jozi is a tough city and I love it and being a girl from Eldo’s you got to go hard otherwise no one will respect you in this game. And if you want to be at the top, where the highest trees catch the most wind, be ready for your day in court, because even I’ve had to fight lawsuits in my early twenties, mind you – you will read all about it when I release my book. Yes, I’m still working on that. still working on that.

I I’ve worked hard for this name Bianca Joy Le ’ve worked hard for this name Bianca Joy Le Grange and I still do. So, consider this an interlude because I’m not done yet, with the book or this Industry. I might just add a second book on ‘How to run your Brand in SA’ by Bianca Joy Le Grange now Johnson. Thank you for reading who knows what is next what I know for sure is that dreams do come