Amapiano vocalist Thatohatsi Raphadi has poured her heart out in a moving message of gratitude after receiving an outpouring of love and support from fans following body-shaming remarks made about her on the Piano Pulse podcast. The rising star took to social media to acknowledge those who stood up for her during what she described as an emotionally painful period.
On Sunday, 18 January, Thatohatsi shared a heartfelt message on Instagram, thanking supporters for the kind words, messages, and videos sent her way. She revealed that the overwhelming positivity helped her regain her confidence and feel like herself again after the controversy.
“I would like to thank each and everyone who has been so supportive to me. I read your messages, comments and videos that were made to uplift me, ngiyabonga ngok’khulu ukuy’thoba (thank you very much),” she wrote.
“Without God and you guys, I don’t think I would’ve gained so much strength to come back and be myself again.”
The singer went on to describe the support as a “huge and warm hug” filled with love and care, noting how deeply it touched her during a time when she felt vulnerable and emotionally drained.
The incident began last week after a clip from the Piano Pulse podcast went viral. In the clip, co-host Sfiso “Mafitsotso” Ndlovu made a joke about Thatohatsi’s body, saying that even if she were “locked up and made to drink oil,” she would never gain weight. Guest Nota Baloyi added to the remarks, comparing her body unfavourably to another artist and suggesting that stylists needed to work harder to make her look good.
The comments sparked widespread backlash online, with many viewers condemning the podcasters for body-shaming the artist. Thatohatsi later responded by sharing a deeply emotional TikTok video using the podcast audio, visibly showing how hurt she was by the remarks. Her caption alarmed many fans, as she admitted exhaustion from constantly defending her natural body, writing: “Not suicidal, but I wouldn’t mind at this point.”
Following the post, social media users rallied around the singer, flooding her platforms with messages of encouragement and reassurance. Fans praised her talent, beauty, and authenticity, reminding her that she is perfect just the way she is.
Industry figures also joined the chorus of support. Amapiano star Lady Du shared an uplifting message, describing Thatohatsi as a true representation of African beauty and encouraging her to remain proud of who she is.
As the dust settles, Thatohatsi’s message of gratitude stands as a powerful reminder of the importance of compassion, especially in an industry where public scrutiny can deeply impact mental health.
