Though she might lighten herself cosmetically, Khanyi Mbau's not shy to show a darker side when it comes to her choice of film roles.
The pale yet astute actress had her acting chops on full display on Monday night at the premiere of her latest flick, Red Room, at the Montecasino movie theatre in Joburg's Fourways.
The local thriller also sees Khanyi slip into the co-producer chair, which she shares with Sans Moonsamy and his partner Keru Kisten.
I meet heavily pregnant Keru at the start of the evening and she jokes: "I'm literally going from one production to the next."
No sight, though, of the lady of the hour, but who does turn up next is Khanyi's long-time squeeze, Tebogo Lerole, with his fellow penny-whistle-playing brothers Mpho and Tshepo, whom you might remember as Kwela Tebza.
Tebogo has a scoop. The group, after a nine-year absence, will release a new album this month.
Someone who has something more bittersweet to tell is Masechaba Ndlovu, who confirms that, despite trying to work things out with husband Vusi, they are separating.
"I'm officially single," she says.
The broadcaster also sets the record straight about rumours that she is becoming a sangoma.
"Everyone thinks that every gifted person will walk the same journey and that's not true. I do walk with ancestors but I am not a sangoma, I am a spiritual elder." Now we know.
Elsewhere I spot actors Phakamisa Zwedala and Charlie Bouguenon, who also stars in Red Room, and catch up with AB Moosa jnr, whose famed independent cinema company Avalon Group turns a milestone 80 this year.
Then in walks Mbau, looking like a movie star in a check monotone gown embellished with flowers, and in the arms of her dad, Menzi Mcunu, and stepmom Mmabatho.
Khanyi later thanks her dad for encouraging her to follow her dreams as the audience, including her younger brother, internet sensation Lasizwe, and singer Donald Moatshe listen.
Sadly, Khanyi's mom, Lynette Sisi Mbau, could not make it because she was home on granny duty, nursing Khanyi's daughter Khanz, who was down with the flu.
As for the movie?
Worth checking out just to see Khanyi go from vamp to bruised, while Phakamisa proves yet again why he's an actor to watch.
Guests sipped on Khanyi cocktails, thanks to her "I Am Khanyi - Millennial Shimmer Gin", and the brave sampled the unappetising cocktail snacks brought out only long after many of us had all turned up...