Bio
Lalla Hirayama is a Japanese-born South African dancer, actress, model, television presenter and voice artist best known for hosting a number of Vuzu shows, including Masters of Rhythm and V-Entertainment.
Lalla was born in Hiratsuka, Kanagawa-Ken, Japan. She moved to Australia and then to South Africa at an early age. She started her primary schooling at Fairways Primary.
She started horse riding in 1997 and joined the Athletics Team (A-Team) and became Junior Horse Riding Champ 1997.
In 2001 she taught hip hop, tap and modern dancing in Kagoshima, Japan.
In 2002 she returned to South Africa were she registered for High School education at The British International College where she was also involved with Dance training.
In 2005 she started performing professionally and danced at a number of Corporate Functions under the Vigor8 Company.
In 2006 she formed the ACC (Clinch City Entertainment), a hip hop Marketing & Events Company. She became official dancer for a number of well known local artists including the late Lebo Mathosa, Slikour, Relo – performed with Swatta Kamp, and featured in Unathi’s and Loyiso’s music videos.
In 2007 she became an SABC dancer at the Rand Show, Royal Show, Grahamstown Festival. Between 2007 and 2008 she was an SABC1 brand ambassador/presenter.
In 2009 she played Felicia on the soapie Rhythm City. Felicia is one of three singers in the show's all-girl group Sizzle.
In 2010 she was appointed as the first continuity presenter of the free-to-air mobile TV platform Massiv TV.
In 2011 she hosted the e.tv reality competition Tropika Island of Treasure 3 and the Vuzu reality competition Masters of Rhythm.
In the same year she joined Siyabonga Ngwekazi as a host of the Vuzu entertainment magazine show V-Entertainment, replacing the departed Nonhle Thema.
She was one of the celebrities to compete in the sixth season of the SABC3 reality competition Strictly Come Dancing, in 2013. She came second in the competition.
In 2014 she was signed as one of the judges on the e.tv reality competition series SA's Got Talent for Season 5, returning the following year for Season 6. In 2015 she was a guest judge on the first season of the Vuzu Amp reality competition music talent search The Hustle.
Lalla continued to present V-Entertainment on Vuzu until the ninth season in 2017, when the show was revamped and turned into a weekly programme. She left to take up co-hosting duties (with Smash Afrika) on the Mzansi Magic Friday night music show Massive Music.
Q&A
Name: Lalla Hirayama
Birthday: 10 Feb
Any nicknames: Miss LA
A bit of background on your TV career: Presented links on Craz-E, hosted HIP-HOP Show called SHIZ NIZ.
Pet Hate: 2 cars driving in separate lanes at the same pace
Favourite food: Chocolate… not really food, huh?!
Favourite form of relaxation: Getting a massage and watching TV!
Favourite Tourism destination: Cape Town and Bali
Favourite hangout: Anywhere with Good company!
Favourite Movie: So many… let me see… Green Mile, Memoirs of a Geisha
Favourite TV programme: Zola 7, Shiz Niz, Mzansi Rides, 3& A Half Men, Live, South Beach, Whoopi
Favourite actress - Local: Kim Engelbrecht and Brenda from Home Affairs
Favourite actor - International: Sir Anthony Hopkins
Favourite music: Hip-Hop and R&B
Favourite person: My Mama, my Dad and my Man… and all my girlfriends
Best advice you received: Always be the first rate version of yourself instead of a second rate version of another
Worst advice you received: Stay away from the TV
Your source of inspiration: My Mother, My Past, and My Vision.
How do you keep in shape? I am a dancer and I love the Gym.
Favourite drink: Chailatte
How did you get into presenting? By accent
The best thing about being a presenter: Being in studio and in front of the camera.
Favourite item of clothing: My Track Pants
Three words to describe yourself: Multiple personality sufferer
What qualities do you admire most in a person? Honesty, reliability, and compassion
You'd never forgive a friend who... liked to watch Backstage!!
The person you SMS the most is... My Man, my Mom and my best girlfriend
What's the most extravagant thing that you've bought? : Er… I’m not extravagant!
On what do you enjoy spending your money? Stuff I really need and on buying presents for those close to me.
Do you cook well? … Oh Damn… now everyone will know I’m a bad cook!
What was the hardest lesson you've learnt? The responsibility of being a young woman living by herself!
Do you speak to God often? Yes
Your hobbies: Reading, Riding Horses, Playing Piano and Guitar and being in the company of good friends.
Most memorable experience: Going to London with the late Lebo Mathosa and being harassed by the Papparazzi.
Most embarrassing experience: None yet!
Message to the youth of South Africa: “Life is short! Seize every opportunity you get!”
Your dream future for South Africa: General acceptance and better living standard
Your personal dream for your own future: To find true happiness and balance in life.