Kat Sinivasan brings energy, style, and charisma to every stage

It was one of those mornings where you could tell the sun would be both our friend and enemy as the day progressed. The GQ team gathered at the beautiful Norval Foundation in preparation of our shoot where contemporary art would meet high fashion. With the sculpture garden visible from our balcony view, our feature star in good spirits and ready to shine, the atmosphere was set for a great day.

South African television host, actor and media personality, Kat Sinivasan is known for his charm, charisma and keen sense of style. Rising to prominence as a presenter on E! Entertainment Africa, Kat is one of the country’s most recognisable faces in entertainment, seamlessly blending his passions for fashion, lifestyle and pop culture with a sharp interviewing style and natural rapport with audiences.

He appeared on the cover of our Entertainment issue in collaboration with Politix, a brand that fits perfectly with the style-savvy presenter. The leading Australian menswear brand recently launched in South Africa, the first on the African continent, as part of the Country Road Group’s house of brands, marking a significant milestone in the brand’s journey.

Revealing more about this partnership, Kat says, “When Politix reached out to me to say I was being considered as an ambassador for the brand in South Africa, it was an exciting moment. They told me why they wanted me to be a part of this launch campaign that they have going on in the country, and immediately I knew that it aligned because it’s about redefining men’s fashion and that’s exactly what I want to do, from my own perspective. I felt like this brand was speaking to me directly in more ways than one.”

Delivering looks that have turned heads countless times, Kat’s passion for fashion is well documented. He has cultivated a reputation as one of South Africa’s foremost fashion icons, his fashion choices a visual reflection of his bold and confident personality. Fearless yet refined, with a keen eye for detail and an innate ability to make every outfit his own. It’s a love affair that started at a young age by his “shopaholic” mother. His words, not mine.

“My mom and I used to shop a lot together. She was always so open to seeing what I’m interested in and letting me pick my own clothes. I think she was setting me up for a time where I’d have to do it myself because she knew that she was raising a performer who would be in the public eye. She always allowed me to explore and that’s trickled into my adult life. I always want to have the freedom to explore and try different things in fashion and that’s what I’ve been doing. Fashion is definitely one of my strongest points because I think it speaks before you do. Do you know what I mean? And it’s always great to kind of say something without saying something.”

He describes his style as having duality. “There is my on screen persona and I believe in doing more classic, simple styles just from my experience with television. So I’ll call those my costumes. It must be timeless — I must be able to look at something ten years from now and say, ‘Oh, not too bad.’ It’s kind of stood the test of time. Whereas in my personal life I’m a lot more experimental. I try trends. I’m doing baggy cargo pants, a bunch of chunky necklaces. Next month I’m probably just like, ‘What was I doing?’ and that’s okay for me. I experiment in my own time and with my own fashion, but my costumes have a personality. Kat Sinivasan the brand is a formal presenting guy, but I’m hardly ever in a suit in my own time. Although I love a suit, in my own time I’m wearing casual — jeans, crop tops, those are the vibes.

My fashion idea right now is pushing the envelope. I’ve always been somebody who wears custom and ready-to-wear pieces at the same time. I really am trying to do more high-fashion looks. I’ve been doing couture, so that’s where I want to take fashion and kind of create different types of looks. Now it’s all about pushing the envelope and no longer just playing it safe. It’s a different era for me in my fashion.”

He admits that he prefers dressing himself, which can result in him butting heads with stylists. “I can never just wear something because someone said to wear it. It happened when I was a kid and I guess that’s why I’m just like, ‘No ways’ as an adult. When you start hosting as a kid, they put you in anything they want and you can’t or don’t say anything about it because you are scared. That’s why, now, I will scrutinise any outfit and most of my looks. If there is a stylist, I am bringing a suitcase of looks too — we will both be styling. Fashion is too important to me. I live it. It means everything for my self expression. Just as you might evolve through the eras, fashion is can solidify [each era]. The influences, the way you move, the way you carry yourself. As you change, your look changes too.”

His favourite era of fashion? “90s fashion was fire, especially the casual looks. That was amazing street style — it makes sense that it’s coming back now.”

However, a look/trend Kat can’t get behind is jorts, especially when they’re at the awkward length of being between shorts and long trousers, often baggy. “I’m typically not the type to say no to certain things in fashion, however, jorts and Crocs are two things I don’t understand. As homewear, fine, but as outfits...”

Our conversation on fashion turns to the fact that despite living in modern times, where fashion and personal expression are more accessible than ever, certain clothing items, especially relating to men, are still viewed with negative connotations and labels. “I don’t think that’s something we can ever fight,” Kat says.

“I think maybe, with time, the stigmas and old perceptions will eventually fade away. Young kids are lucky. They’re in a position where they can wear whatever [they want] without being dragged for it. They go full drag and that doesn’t mean you are transgender — you’re just choosing a style to wear. You want to wear a wig today? Go ahead. I think it’s a very backward way of thinking to say a man can’t wear a skirt, just because it’s not your preference. It’s clothes. It’s fabric. It does not define who you are. It’s a form of expression. South Africa can be a little backward, but we are evolving, which is the main thing.”

While it’s clear he’d be more than happy to spend the entire interview talking about fashion, I remind him that we still have to get through his many other artistic passions, starting with his interest in entertainment. 

The many forms of creative expression

“I grew up with my mom and grandmother, who had been a performer in her younger days. She’d often sing and entertain at home, sparking my early interest in music, dance and acting — not just presenting, although it is my main focus now. My cousin, who later became a Take 5 presenter and producer of [2004 thriller] Drum with Taye Diggs, also influenced me. As a kid, I’d go with him to set and meet all these people, which had an immediate impact. Tragically, he was murdered at 26, but he had already sparked my passion for entertainment. After that, I studied classical music in primary school. I learned how to read music, starting with the recorder and piano. When I moved to high school, I auditioned for the National School of the Arts. From there, everything just skyrocketed.”

Elaborating on his time at art school, he says that it was a place where he felt the most alive and comfortable. “In primary school (because I went to a regular school), I always felt somewhat extra. But when I got to art school, I found a group of people who were just like me, if not even bolder. Some of them were pushing boundaries in ways I’d only dreamed of. They had hairstyles I could only imagine and the way we wore our uniforms was completely unconventional. It was like living the lifestyle you’d see on Gossip Girl. We expressed our creativity in every possible way, and since I lived at school, it felt like my whole life was art. Even more so than it does now. In every moment, we were performing and I still yearn for that kind of life, where my entire existence is wrapped in art.”

I ask Kat if moving from such a free creative space to a more structured and scheduled one, such as with presenting, takes away from his creativity. He says that it does, to a certain extent. “The structure, along with much of the performance work I do now, is more technical than creative. I have to fit into someone else’s concept of what they’re looking for to get a job, so it does take away from that raw, almost childlike creativity I had back in school. But I think for any artist, it’s essential to create your own art and keep that passion alive. So I make sure to take dance classes and I’m still making music — even if I’m not releasing it, I have songs I’ve worked on. I’m always creating my own art alongside the work I do for money.”

What draws Kat to so many different artistic fields — presenting, acting, music and dance — is the different types of self expression that can be portrayed with each. “I think when you start doing entertainment professionally, it gradually becomes more of a business than just a passion,” he says. “My biggest passion is music, but I happened to fall into hosting professionally, so that’s why I’ve done so much hosting.”

“Initially, I wasn’t a great presenter. The first show I did was a reality competition and a music show, so I was on TV but hadn’t really presented before. When I got asked by YoTV to do a presenting show, I was still quite new to it, and honestly, I wasn’t very good. I decided then that I wanted to become the best presenter I could be. I started researching, watching other presenters and diving into new projects. Eventually, I found my sweet spot with presenting, which is why it’s become such a big part of my career. But if it were up to me, I’d love to be doing a bit of everything!”

I tell him that I’ve read about his presenting and acting career, but I don’t know much about his dancing background. He replies that, unfortunately, he doesn’t dance on television anymore, since past days of being a full length hip hop dancer. “I do miss it,” he says, “While I’m a bit rusty, I do think if you give me some choreography, I could pick it up any time. I love to dance. As a performer, I always want to use different mediums to convey and portray different kinds of stories and emotions. Dancing does just that. I would love to do a show like Strictly Come Dancing or Dancing with the Stars. It would be incredible to learn a different style of dance every week and ensure you capture the emotions. I’d really love to get back into that sometime again.”

For now, he would love to build more on his acting resume. Acting wasn’t unfamiliar to Kat by the time he began his professional career. His journey into acting has roots that stretch as far back as his high school days, where he first transitioned from classical music to acting. After matriculating with the drama subject on his transcript, he decided to make it one of his majors at university. Acting was something Kat felt at home with, even more so than presenting.

Reflecting on the South African acting industry, Kat notes that presenting and acting share similarities: “You need to be the right face, the right height, the right voice.” Yet, South Africa often expects actors to embody a character at first sight rather than through practice and transformation. Kat considers himself a transformative actor, drawn to roles vastly different from his own personality — though those opportunities have been somewhat rare.

His role in House of Zwide was a refreshing departure, allowing him to portray a complex, morally grey, abusive character. It was a chance to stretch beyond the typical ‘charming boyfriend’ role and he embraced the nuances the character offered, pushing boundaries and adding depth.

He envisions himself leading in action roles and doing his own stunts. “That’s my ideal. But when it comes to taking acting roles that are just similar to my last role, I don’t want to repeat roles. There are so many incredible production companies here that I’m open to working with. But I really want roles that make me transform. I want to become someone else, do accent work, physical performances, characters with prosthetics and visual effects — something totally away from my personality. I want to take the viewer on a journey, to make you forget about Kat and instead get lost in the character’s story.”

The growth of streaming platforms in South Africa has unlocked new creative potential, which Kat views with optimism, even if he feels there’s still room for more. “The industry is definitely growing and we’re getting more experimental. At some point, remember, all our films were about Apartheid, and now we have rom-coms and other genres,” he says.

“We’re getting more liberal with how we portray sex and sexuality, masculinity and femininity, and it’s created great new roles for our acting talents. We must always keep in mind that we are in a small industry. We’re growing. People always say we’re trying to emulate Hollywood, but that’s where we’re getting our cues from — that’s where it started. It’s about learning from the greats. So, I think it’s good that we’re taking international formats and bringing them here. It creates more jobs and elevates the industry. Once we learn, we’re able to create our own content even better.”

Presenting like a pro

Kat describes his brand as “ever-evolving”, a concept rooted in the principle of preservation. This value is one he absorbed both from formal education and from observing the old-school artists who built lifelong careers. “For people like me, who can’t imagine doing anything outside of entertainment and performance — even if I ventured into business, it would still be within entertainment — it’s essential to have that long-term vision.”

To maintain his purist intention for his art, Kat makes it a priority to keep his personal life private so that his art can speak louder. One thing he finds interesting, especially with presenting, is its balance of performance and reality. As a presenter, Kat says the line between being authentic and playing a role is delicate. “Understanding is the most important part of hosting because you need to know what your job is and what you need to deliver, and then deliver that authentically as yourself.”

“It’s hard to do that if someone else is scripting everything you say, and you’re expected to come off as genuine. Some presenters announce every sentence from the beginning, which can make everything else sound forced. Instead, if you speak in a natural rhythm, as you would in a normal conversation, it feels more real. I notice this with YouTubers too. Some will say things like, ‘I’m going to put on some makeup now,’ in a way that sounds rehearsed and unnatural. The key is truly understanding what you’re talking about and, most importantly, not being a copy. We live in a world of ‘dupes’, where so many people are imitating others, becoming cheaper versions of someone else. That’s when audiences sense that something isn’t authentic, and presenters come off as ‘acted’,” he explains.

Despite the pressures of imitation, Kat notes that presenters and actors don’t always mind when others try to mirror their style — especially in collaborative settings. “When I’m working with someone who has less experience or is eager to learn from me, I’m always open to share what I know and help them evolve. I’ve noticed some people adopting certain traits and styles from my work, which is interesting because I’ve also taken inspiration from others and tailored it to fit my own style. It’s great to borrow and learn from one another, but imitation is where it becomes problematic. You can never be better than someone else by simply copying them. While I see it happen, I don’t always dislike it. However, I draw the line when someone is outright copying me.”

Kat lists US icons Ryan Seacrest, Zuri Hall and Jason Kennedy, as well as SA’s own Andile Ncube, Phat Joe and Bonang Matheba as individuals he admires and has learned from. “In my earlier days working for E!, one of my favourite things was watching some of the earliest red carpets with Joan Rivers to understand how to get the hype going. To this day, I continue to learn. I like to call myself a ‘reference guy’ — I love to study my references, which include other presenters and their different unique styles. I believe it’s key to keep learning, no matter how established you are. It’s like with any other career where continuous studying and growth are key.”

While presenters and hosts are often well liked and admired, Kay says that there’s still an illusion that their craft is ‘easy’ and “we show up and say whatever we want or ask random questions, especially on a red carpet”. He clarifies, “The reality is, much of the work is scripted, and bringing in your own personality is a skill. You have to hit every point you’ve been given while hitting the points that you feel the audience wants to see.”

“The biggest misconception is that we just ‘wing it’, when in fact, I structure my material carefully and research my guests thoroughly. I have the greatest respect for South African entertainment and we are adding to it as the years go by. It’s so important to do some revolutionary work and not allow people to minimise our job to ‘having fun’ and lacking in meaning or being vapid. We study. You can go to school for television production and presenting is one of the sub-categories.”

He continues by saying that some people think it’s an easy job. But the actual skill is to make it look easy. “I always say I want whoever is watching to trust me and feel safe. Some [presenters/actors] can make you so nervous. As they start talking, you’re like, ‘What?’ Even if you’re far away from the show and not part of it. As such, I always want the viewer to feel safe and trust me — and that comes with confidence and preparation.”

Speaking on the nuances of interviewing a guest, he says, “Especially if it’s someone reserved or reluctant to open up, reading their body language and tone is essential. You have to gauge their comfort level and find little moments where they reveal something meaningful — even if it’s subtle. Sometimes, they’ll mention a detail casually, but you can tell there’s more behind it. That’s your cue to dig a little deeper and give them the space to share in their own way. In a sense, you become both a guide and a listener, nudging them in the right direction without making them feel pressured. That ability to adapt, to respond to the other person’s energy and to help bring out their best is a huge part of what makes a good presenter or host."

Ambition, goals & success

When I point out that he’s very obviously an ambitious person, due to his many artistic avenues and that he never seems to be standing still, he excitedly interjects by saying that he’d actually thought of this before our interview. “It’s so great that you mention this,” he says, “but this has been on my mind as many have this view of me.”

“Since childhood, I was taught how to carry myself and I’d undergone media training for presenting. While that training is very important when it comes to being a TV personality, it’s almost as if I’ve built this wall that makes me look so ambitious, always on the clock and that I’ve got it all figured out. But, I’m just a guy. Literally, I swear to God, I’m a boy from the township who’s shooting his shot every time and figuring it out as he goes. I believe nobody truly knows what they’re doing; we’re all winging it. I don’t know what my next move is, or where this journey will lead, but I know I love to perform and create and I want to keep evolving.”

While he doesn’t have a set roster of milestones, he does have a general plan for his future. Part of which is to eventually be behind the scenes creating the content that he wants to see on television. “I’m part of the content that is being consumed right now, but it’s not always my idea. That’s a goal I’m setting whether it happens in five years or tomorrow,” he says.

“I believe in staying consistent and always taking my shots, because while everything has been a surprise, I’ve always been putting in the work. I never imagined that I’d be working for E!, but I always knew that I was going to be on TV and hosting big shows. I would never tell anyone to not reach for their goals; it’s good to have something that you are working towards. However, there are many people putting extreme pressure on themselves to hit those milestones within a certain time frame. If it doesn’t go according to plan, they are devastated and suffer mentally, feeling like they have failed or are falling behind.”

“I’ve done that too,” he admits. “I’ve had those goals. I’ve had specific things. I used to audition for things that I was convinced I would get and I don’t get them. The disappointment is disarming. Life has taught me that while we set goals, things unfold as they will, and things don’t always go as expected. It’s God’s timing and all you can do is just continue to believe in yourself. The art of winning is in not giving up.”

As we continue to discuss ambition and self-expectation, he says that besides personal expectations, another thing that can affect your path is living to meet the expectations of others, especially as a public figure.

“I’ve had so many people tell me where I should be by now or what I should be doing. Most of the time it’s actually not what I imagined for myself at any point. Another thing I would say is that, while dreaming big is great, you have to remember that things take time. If your first goal is a massive step or achievement, you have to be ready to deal with a greater probability of disappointment. A lot of people believe in or want overnight success, which does happen for some people, but it’s unwise to put all your faith into that. I’ve been doing this for the majority of my life. The first time I was ever on television, I was in Grade 10. Now, I feel like there’s some sort of inching closer to where I want to be, but it’s been years and it takes time.”

“When I was younger, I thought success meant having it all by 30. A house, kids, a car. As a young boy in the township, watching cars drive by, those were the important things. Now, my definition of success has shifted. Happiness is the highest level of success, not material possessions. I want peace of mind, free of personal stress, with work being the only thing I need to tackle because that never stops. I’ve come to realise that sometimes we mistake serenity for boredom, but that’s what I’m ultimately aiming for in my personal life. For work, success means something different: it’s about creating the content and art I want to see.”

Producing, privacy & public opinion

Kat currently has quite a few projects he is working on. “I’m about to shoot a dating show, which I will be hosting, but

I can’t say too much about it. I’m leaving soon to shoot, but I actually don’t know where [the location is]as they’ve been quite secretive. I prefer it that way, as I probably would have told people. I’m really excited to be shooting a big production. It should be airing soon in the upcoming weeks.

“I’ve been working behind the scenes on a couple of projects and I have been doing this for a while. When I worked on Mzansi Insider, the show I did straight after YoTV, I was both hosting and producing content on the show. I then focused on hosting, as I left that show and started with E! Entertainment. So now that I’m done with E!, I’ve gone back to working behind the scenes. I’ve produced a documentary, a New Year’s Eve countdown for Channel O and a couple of pilots that didn’t make it. But even with the show that I’m on, I actually worked behind the scenes a little bit.”

He adds that the appeal of producing for him lies in the ability to create the ideas and be a part of bringing them to life from the point of view of someone who’s part of its conception, as well being the face of it.

“I’m creating a late-night talk show, and even though projects like these are usually kept under wraps, I want to put this one out into the universe to make it happen. I shot a pilot during Covid for a late-night reality show I’ve been pitching to networks. After some revisions, I’m pushing hard for it. My ultimate goal is to be an executive producer on the shows I host and do more technical work. As I grow in my career, after spending so much time fitting into others’ ideas, I want to be the one coming up with the concepts and having others fit into mine. Producing and directing are areas I’ve started dabbling in, and it’s really exciting to be at the top of the decision-making chain.”

One thing about Kat is that his confidence is quite unshakeable — carrying himself with a calm assurance that draws people in and deflects negativity. He attributes his self-assuredness to a supportive family environment that encouraged his individuality from an early age. “Growing up, my family always made space for my thoughts, personality and growth. They’ve supported me through change, as long as I had reason and understanding,” he shares, acknowledging how this grounding helped him navigate his own path with clarity.

“I think many people struggle with truly knowing themselves, which can become a big obstacle in mental health. Knowing who you are keeps you grounded, even when things feel off without a clear reason. I’ve always prioritised a good relationship with my mental health, especially in an industry where opinions (often critical ones) are everywhere. If you’re not okay with yourself, facing those opinions can be tough. But when you know who you are, others’ words can’t shake you.

“In most cases the same people speaking badly about you are the ones liking your pictures and watching what you are doing. If you don’t like me so much, why are you watching? If you don’t like my page, why are you still there? The fact is that people, in general, like to hate. And they usually hate on public figures for attention from the person and everybody else. Theywanttodoittobecool and unfortunately social media has created that space and made it very easy for someone to say whatever they want.”

He adds that another reason why negative comments don’t get to him is because what the public has access to about him is only one part of the whole picture. “Behind the image, public figures are often just people fighting to make a living. I do this for my family, for my mom and to reach my goals. Not for fame or glamour. That’s why I don’t do many interviews or share my personal life with the media. I put so much of myself into my performances and have learned to accept that people will have different opinions, whether they like me, hate me, or criticise me online.”

“I’m okay with scrutiny on my work — it’s what I put out there and I accept it. But I hold back parts of myself that stay private, untouched by the public. It’s daunting when the media tries to dig into personal areas beyond my control. I’m a bit old-school in my belief in privacy and mystery. Some of my favourite stars kept a part of themselves hidden. Today, people share so much of their lives instead of channelling everything into their craft. If fame alone is the goal, revealing everything might not feel like a sacrifice. But for those of us focused on legacy, keeping parts of ourselves private is a form of preservation.”