Khanyi Mbau has opened up about the demanding schedule she faced while filming The Masked Singer SA season three in Johannesburg while simultaneously working on another Netflix project in Amsterdam.
The actress and entertainer was eventually unmasked as Chopsticks during the season-three finale, which aired on SABC 2 on Saturday, 26 September 2026.
Speaking exclusively to The South African, Khanyi revealed that filming the popular singing competition required her to constantly travel between Johannesburg and Amsterdam.
Khanyi Mbau’s hectic Johannesburg-Amsterdam schedule
While production for The Masked Singer SA was underway in Johannesburg, Khanyi also had commitments in Amsterdam.
She explained that production initially operated with two teams, making it possible for her to travel between the two cities without missing her commitments.
“When another team had to shoot, I would have to fly out that night when I wrapped, to go to Amsterdam to do what I needed to do with Netflix,” Khanyi explained.
After completing her work in Amsterdam, she would catch an evening flight back to South Africa.
“So, when I land in the morning, I’m back in the studio to become Chopsticks,” she said.
The actress admitted that the schedule was demanding, but said she found ways to cope with the constant travelling.
Khanyi revealed that she travelled in business class, allowing her to sleep during the flights, while she also took vitamins and melatonin to help manage the exhaustion.
For her, however, the demanding schedule was worth it because of her passion for acting and entertainment.
“You know when you love what you do, you don’t care how tired you are or how much time it takes. I love what I do,” she said.
Khanyi Mbau celebrates making it to the finale
Khanyi also reflected on her journey as Chopsticks and said reaching the finale was a victory in itself.
Although she did not win the competition, she was proud to have made it to the final alongside several entertainers she genuinely admires.
“I’ve won. People say, ‘but you didn’t make it to number one’. Look, I made it to the final,” she said.
Khanyi shared the finale stage with Gogga, later revealed to be Judith Sephuma, Mosquito, who was unmasked as Robot Boii, and eventual winner Spotty, Bontle Modiselle.
The actress said the final unmasking was particularly special because of the relationships she shared with some of the contestants.
Khanyi had no idea Lasizwe was also on the show
One of the season’s biggest family surprises was the appearance of Khanyi’s half-brother, Lasizwe Dambuza, who competed as Sushi.
Khanyi revealed that she had no idea her brother was also part of the show.
According to the actress, their demanding schedules and the fact that they were placed in different groups made it difficult for them to cross paths.
She jokingly suggested that things might have been different had they been in the same group.
“If we were in the same group… I would have smelt him. Because I know what he smells like, I would have said, ‘you are my brother,’” she said.
Khanyi also admitted that sibling rivalry made the experience even more entertaining.
“Siblings are competitive,” she said, joking that she was pleased to have outlasted her brother in the competition.
Her daughter inspired Chopsticks
Khanyi revealed that her daughter, Khanukani Mbau, also influenced the creation of Chopsticks.
The actress explained that the character’s playful personality and movements were inspired by memories of her daughter as a child.
She recalled how Khanukani would react to music and walk while holding her mother’s hand, incorporating those memories into Chopsticks’ personality.
Khanyi said her daughter is now 20, meaning she drew inspiration from memories of her daughter when she was much younger.
The actress also explained why the Chopsticks concept suited her, describing the utensil as something with a global association and a sense of delicacy.
Khanyi praises Robot Boii and Bontle Modiselle
Khanyi identified her performance of APT by ROSÉ and Bruno Mars as one of her favourite moments of the season.
The performance was a duet with Mosquito, who was later revealed to be Robot Boii — and Khanyi revealed that he is actually her cousin.
She praised Robot Boii for his professionalism and said they had plenty of fun performing together.
Khanyi also congratulated Bontle Modiselle on winning the competition, recalling seeing her potential when she was still finding her feet in the entertainment industry.
The actress praised Bontle for continuing to push forward despite the challenges she faced along the way.
“Bontle, you have come so far,” Khanyi said, congratulating her on the victory.
For Khanyi, however, making it to the finale as Chopsticks was also a memorable achievement — one made even more remarkable by the intense travel schedule she managed along the way.
