Jesse Suntele (born 18 September 1992)[1] is a South African actor, model, rapper and television personality. He became popular by winning the second season of the BET reality competition series Top Actor Africa in 2016.[2]
Jesse Suntele | |
|---|---|
| Born | Jesse Suntele 18 September 1992 |
| Other names |
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| Occupations | |
| Years active |
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| Musical career | |
| Genres | Hip hop |
| Instruments | Vocals |
Early life and education
editJesse Suntele was born in Johannesburg, South Africa. He attended primary school at Fairsand Primary School before moving to Bloemfontein in grade 4. After matriculating from St. Joseph's Christian Brothers College, he moved back to Johannesburg to study Sound Engineering at the Academy of Sound Engineering.[3]
Career
editTelevision
editIn 2013, he auditioned for the SABC 1 reality competition U Can Do It and made it into the Top 10. In 2014, he got a starring role in the first-season finale of the SABC 1 documentary-drama Ngempela, which was his first credited television acting role.[4]
In 2015, he got a guest starring role on SABC 1's Generations: The Legacy. In that same year, he got his first recurring role on the e.tv soapie Ashes to Ashes. The following year in 2016, he won the second season of Top Actor Africa on BET.[5] In that same year, he debuted on the Mzansi Magic telenovela The Queen, making his first appearance in the first season as Tuelo ("Officer Bae"), a policeman by day and a serial killer by night.[6]
In 2017, he was also one of the main hosts for entertainment and variety show BET A-List. He also joined the cast of the Vuzu Amp reality competition series The Hustle, where he was one of the Season 2 contestants, using the rapper stage name "J-Flo" and made it into the Top 6.[7] In that same year, he was nominated in the Feather Awards, for Hunk of the Year.[8]
In 2018, he joined the e.tv soapie Rhythm City in the role of Nqaba.[9]
In 2022, Suntele was cast as Phila Bhengu in the South African Netflix drama series Savage Beauty.[10]
Music
editHe has released music as J-Flo, his singles include High by the Beach and Outta Town.[1] He has also been featured on Kelly Khumalo's single Jehova.[11]
In May 2021, he released his debut EP, What Did You Expect.[12]
Filmography
editTelevision
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | The Estate (TV series) | Thato | guest role | |
| 2014 | Ngempela | Sandile | starring role | |
| 2015–2016 | Ashes to Ashes | Kabelo | recurring role | |
| 2015 | Generations | Himself | guest star | |
| 2016 | Mutual Friends | Himself | guest star | |
| 2016 | BET A-List | Himself | Host | |
| 2016 | The Queen | Tuelo ("Officer Bae") | recurring role | |
| 2017 | The Hustle | Himself (J-Flo) | contestant | |
| 2018 | Rhythm City | Mzi | recurring role | |
| 2022 | Savage Beauty | Phila Bhengu | main role | |
| 2023 | In Your Dreams | Marcus | main role |
Discography
editEPs
edit- What Did You Expect (2021)
Singles
edit| Title | Year |
|---|---|
| "High by the Beach" (With SkyCity Uno) |
2018 |
| "Jehovah" (With Kelly Khumalo) | |
| "Outta Town" |
Awards and recognition
edit| Year | Award | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | BET | Top Actor Africa | Won[13] |
| 2017 | Feather Awards | Hunk Of the Year | Nominated[8] |
References
edit- ^ a b "Rhythm City Actor Jesse Suntele Celebrates His Birthday". surgezirc.co.za. Retrieved 3 December 2020.
- ^ "SA Actor Jesse Suntele wins BET 'Top Actor Africa'". screenafrica.com. Retrieved 3 December 2020.
- ^ "JESSE SUNTELE". afternoonexpress.co.za. Retrieved 3 December 2020.
- ^ "Rhythm City's new hot thang". The Citizen. Retrieved 3 December 2020.
- ^ "Jesse Suntele 'Officer bae' is making his presence felt in showbiz". News24. Retrieved 2 December 2020.
- ^ "WATCH: The Queen's Officer Bae Jesse is everything". iol.co.za. Retrieved 3 December 2020.
- ^ "Actor And TV Presenter Jesse Suntele Tries His Hand At Rapping". okmzansi.co.za. Retrieved 3 December 2020.
- ^ a b "Feather Awards: Here are the nominees". News24. Retrieved 3 December 2020.
- ^ "Jesse Suntele to play Suffocate's son on Rhythm City". Sowetan Live. Retrieved 3 December 2020.
- ^ "Meet the cast of Savage Beauty". news24.com. Retrieved 18 July 2022.
- ^ "NEW VIDEO: Kelly Khumalo Releases Jehova Visuals Ft. J. Flo". Zkhiphani. Retrieved 3 December 2020.
- ^ "Jesse Suntele introduces rap persona, J Flo with new EP, What Did You Expect". justnje.com. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
- ^ "10 Things You Didn't Know About Jesse "Officer Bae" Suntele". Youth Village. Retrieved 3 December 2020.
- ^ "The finalists for Cosmo's Sexiest Men 2018 are here". News24. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
- ^ "2018 Mzansi's Sexiest top 12 revealed". SowetanLive. Retrieved 23 December 2020.