J'Something cooks up a book in his kitchen

In an industry characterised by flashy cars, intense rivalry and skirt-chasing, MiCasa's hunky frontman, J'Something, is keeping it real by turning on the stove.

"I'm no chef," he admitted in Durban this week, where he was invited to speak at a business breakfast about his life away from the mic.

But despite his lack of formal gastronomic training, the 27-year-old crooner's passion for making good food has resulted in two TV shows - Something's Cooking on Mzansi Magic and SABC3's What's for Dinner with J'Something.

The Stellenbosch University marketing graduate (real name Joao Fonseca), who paid lobola for his longtime partner, Cordelia "Coco" Gotti, last year, revealed that he had two dreams: becoming a superstar like Michael Jackson and being a "good guy".

"In my industry it's not popular to be a good guy. You've got to be that person who is dating that girl, driving that car and fighting that person ... Most celebs have their noses in the air and I think: 'Dudes, you need people.'"

Portuguese-born J'Something said he had a recipe book on the brew - for tasty yet simple grub - that is expected to hit the shelves before Christmas.

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He turned to the pots when he found himself in a "dark space".

"It's a tough place, the music industry. It can be emotionally challenging. There were moments when I felt extremely pressured. I needed an outlet. I thought: 'Should I play more PlayStation, watch more series or read more books?' I chose cooking.

"I posted pictures of my dishes on social media platforms and people commented that I should do a cooking show.

"I mean, women love Jamie Oliver because he can cook ... imagine if Jamie could sing and dance too.

"The thing is I've made more money last year from cooking than my music. It's just bizarre."

His recipe book, likely to be named after his TV show, Something's Cooking, will be based on his three-year journey with food.

"It will literally be something for breakfast, something for lunch and something for dinner, something in-between, a little of everything." The book reflected who he was.

"Something's Cooking is being rerun on Mzansi and on SAA flights, which I'm really proud off. I'm working on my next TV show, which will be a compressed version of Something's Cooking, but it will be focused on healthy and budget meals."

He's fickle about his favourite food. "It's dependent on mood. It's like music ... every time I'm in Durban I love to eat a vegetarian curry, I love dhal and beans. I love Portuguese and some traditional South African food."