South Africa is buzzing with excitement as Belinda Davids, the globally acclaimed star of “The Greatest Love of All”, returns to her roots for a special run at the Joburg Theatre.
Davids, originally from Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth), has come a long way from her days of belting out tunes in her local church. In 2013, she beat out nearly 15 000 hopefuls to secure the role of Whitney Houston in Showtime Australia’s tribute show, crafted by John van Grinsven.
This marked the beginning of her exciting journey to international stardom, performing to sold-out audiences across the globe.
But no matter how far she’s travelled, there's no place like home. “It feels exactly like that – like coming home – a mixture of comfort and excitement,” says Davids about returning to South Africa.
“It is special to be recognised and supported by audiences in your own home country and I always feel very proud performing here.
“South Africans have a very close personal relationship with music, so soulfulness and sincerity are very highly regarded. They know and appreciate great music. Also, we are very vocal – if we love a performer we make it known - loudly! - which is great,” Davids shares.
She shares, “Looking back, it feels serendipitous. I auditioned at the last minute on a whim and a push from a friend. To have gotten this role, and now travelled the world with it for 11 years, seems so surreal. I am incredibly lucky.”
Being chosen to perform as Whitney Houston was a turning point in her career.
“When I was a young singer, record labels wouldn’t take me on because I was too much like Whitney, and now that is exactly where my career has ended up,“ says Davids.
“I feel incredibly lucky to have this career, to sing some of the most beautiful and iconic songs ever written, and to travel the world paying homage to my musical hero. I feel blessed.”
South African fans have shown our very own Whitney Houston support, evident in her sold-out 2022 season, where she played to 10 000 people over two weeks.
“I debuted this show in Johannesburg in 2013, so to still be selling out there 10 years later is unbelievable. It is very satisfying to know that all the hard work that myself and my team have put into honing the show has paid off and people are still coming to see it.”
For her upcoming shows at the Joburg Theatre, audiences can expect some fresh surprises.
“We have added a couple of extra tracks that haven’t been a part of the set-list before, really beautiful ones. And I also have a special guest planned… but audiences will have to wait and see about that!”
Preparing for performances, especially ones as significant as these, requires dedication.
“Health and rest are important. Often, you are doing very long travel and haphazard hours, but when possible I prioritise my rest, eating right, exercising, all the normal things to make me feel my best before I even step on stage.”
Among Whitney Houston’s songs, “Greatest Love of All” holds a special place in Davids' heart.
“’Greatest Love of All’ is very special to me – that message of self-love and encouragement is so powerful. It was powerful to me when Whitney first released it and I think it can still be powerful for people – especially little girls – today.”
Despite her international success, Davids stays grounded through her connections to home.
"Family grounds me, friends at home ground me. And my sons ground me. Coming home and being around people who just see me as ‘Belinda’ or ‘Mum’, that is my connection to who I really am and to my home."
∎“The Greatest Love of All” show will be held from August 23 to 25 at the Mandela Theatre in Joburg Theatre with varying time schedules. Tickets are priced between R180 and R390 and can be purchased from Webtickets.