Rami Chuene Says She Was Blacklisted for Defending Actors’ Rights and Has No Regrets
South African actress Rami Chuene says being sidelined by the television industry for speaking out against the exploitation of actors has never made her question her principles.
The award-winning actress has revealed that she spent three years without work after producers allegedly labelled her as “too outspoken”, yet insists she would make the same choices again if it meant defending the rights of fellow performers.
Speaking candidly on DJ Fresh’s Kaya Breakfast, Chuene reflected on one of the most difficult chapters of her career, describing how standing up for others came at a significant personal cost. Despite the professional consequences, she says she has no regrets.
“I am very proud of the decision I made,” Chuene said, adding that she would continue speaking out whenever actors are treated unfairly.
Three Years Without Work
Chuene said she found herself effectively shut out of television productions after gaining a reputation for challenging unfair treatment within the entertainment industry.
According to the actress, producers complained that she “spoke out too much”, resulting in a lengthy period where she struggled to secure acting roles.
Rather than viewing those years as a defeat, Chuene says they reinforced her belief that protecting the dignity and rights of creative professionals is more important than remaining silent for the sake of employment.
Fallout After The Queen
Chuene’s comments revisit a controversy that dominated South Africa’s entertainment industry several years ago.
The actress became a central figure in the public dispute surrounding The Queen after she publicly supported fellow actress Vatiswa Ndara, who had raised concerns about working conditions in the local television industry.
In 2020, Chuene’s popular character, Gracious “TGom” Mabuza, was unexpectedly written out of the hit drama series after being killed off, marking the end of one of South African television’s most recognisable roles.
While her departure sparked widespread speculation at the time, Chuene has now made it clear that she has never regretted standing by her colleague.
For the actress, the principles behind her decision continue to outweigh any career setbacks she may have experienced.
A New Chapter on e.tv
Today, Chuene is back on South African television as Vera in The Four of Us, e.tv’s drama series that replaced Scandal! following the long-running show’s cancellation.
She stars alongside a seasoned cast that includes Dumisani Dlamini, Thembinkosi Mthembu and Sdumo Mtshali, continuing a career that has spanned decades across some of the country’s biggest productions.
Her return signals another chapter for one of South Africa’s most respected actresses, proving that resilience can outlast industry setbacks.
Laughing Off the Attention of Younger Men
Away from the serious discussion about her career, Chuene also shared a lighter moment during the interview.
The 51-year-old joked that she regularly has to avoid younger men who pursue her romantically, saying it has become increasingly difficult to tell how old some of them are.
She laughed that many only reveal their age when they tell her they grew up watching her on television.
Using Bafana Bafana defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi as an example, Chuene remarked that he is the same age as her second-youngest child.
“You only realise it when the boy says, ‘I started watching you on TV when I was still in Grade 1,'” she joked.
Standing Firm
Years after one of the most talked-about disputes in South African television, Chuene remains unwavering.
Despite claiming she paid a heavy professional price for speaking out, she insists no amount of blacklisting would stop her from defending fellow actors against exploitation.
For Chuene, protecting the people behind the cameras remains a cause worth every sacrifice.
