Latest news with #HollyRey
TimesLIVE
09-07-2025
- Health
- TimesLIVE
Holly Rey partners with Barbie to raise awareness about diabetes
Holly Rey has partnered with Barbie to debut the first doll with type 1 diabetes (T1D) from Mattel. The singer, who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 11, has been in and out of hospital since December after experiencing kidney failure, anaemia and high blood pressure. Holly has been candid about her journey since undergoing surgery. On Wednesday, the 29-year-old singer was unveiled as one of the local ambassadors, with 10-year-old dancer Sayuri Sewsunker. 'I am excited to be a part of this global campaign that makes not just children but all type 1 diabetics feel seen and included,' Holly said. 'Growing up with type 1 diabetes, I always felt like an outsider. I was looked at like I had something wrong with me and was bullied as a result of it. Diabetes was viewed as something you did to yourself by eating too many sweets and this lack of understanding led to being called names, being left out of activities, birthday parties and sports teams. Holly said this was a venture she felt was close to her heart because she played with Barbie dolls growing up. 'If there was a Barbie with type 1 diabetes then, it would have changed my life. Not only would it have made me feel seen and feel like there was nothing wrong with me but it also would have made children at school realise having diabetes does not mean there is something wrong with you, it makes you special. Because if Barbie has diabetes, it must be OK for me to have diabetes, it might even be cool. 'I believe this Barbie with diabetes is going to create much awareness about diabetes and change the narrative about what diabetes is and who it looks like. Diabetes, type 1 and 2, affects millions of people and this Barbie is going to ignite important conversations that need to be had, not just with children but with adults, society and healthcare system decisionmakers.' There are estimated to be between 4.3-million and 5.6-million South Africans living with diabetes. Senior vice-president of Barbie and global head of dolls at Mattel Krista Berger said the addition of the doll would enable more children to see themselves reflected in Barbie and encourages doll play that extends beyond a child's own lived experience to foster a greater sense of inclusion and empathy. 'Introducing a Barbie doll with type 1 diabetes marks an important step in our commitment to inclusivity and representation,' Krista said. 'Barbie helps shape children's early perceptions of the world and by reflecting medical conditions such as T1D we ensure more children can see themselves in the stories they imagine and the dolls they love.'
News24
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- News24
Black Coffee to electrify Hey Neighbour stage this year
Local artist names are trickling in for Hey Neighbour and deep house fans will be glad to know Black Coffee has made the final list. Having grown up between KZN and EC, the Grammy Award-winning DJ has paid it forward by raising half a million rand for flood victims. Holly Rey, Khuli Chana and Sun-EL Musician are some of the local talents on the Hey Neighbour stage this year. The Hey Neighbour lineup continues to grow, with Black Coffee (Nkosinathi Maphumulo) the latest addition to the event's local headliners. The internationally acclaimed DJ who has set musical fire to the stages at Ibiza, Coachella, and other highly coveted global stages is bringing his tunes back home to the fans who have been with him since the release of his self-titled debut album a decade ago. No point in being a global headliner if one cannot export their connections, and as such, some of the DJ's mates will share the stage with him in the 'neighbourhood'. Neighbours who wish to know which of Maphumulo's industry buddies are going to help him turn up the heat will have to exercise some patience because for now, the Hey Neighbour team is remaining tight-lipped about these artists' names. Since winning the Grammy Award for the Best Dance/Electronic category for his album Subconsciously in 2022, Maphumulo, who was already a household name the world over, hasn't only continued to flourish but has also been going stronger in philanthropy. Last week, his Black Coffee Foundation reportedly raised R1.5 million for flood victims in the Eastern Cape. Supplied Born in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, Maphumulo's upbringing was spread between this province and Mthatha in the Eastern Cape. Other talent that has been revealed as local headliners for this year's festival include: Elaine Akio DJ Nkosh DJ Lochive Muzi Holly Rey Khuli Chana Tortured Soul Nia Pearl Sun-EL Musician Lulo Cafe Adillah
IOL News
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Holly Rey claps back at critic after being questioned over Hey Neighbour festival slot
From lineup criticism to clapbacks from local artists, this year's Hey Neighbour festival rollout has been anything but quiet. Image: Holly Rey/Instagram Music festival Hey Neighbour is two months away and has released more names of the artists that will be performing. Organisers have announced Grammy award-winning musician Doja Cat and the United Kingdom's trailblazing Central Cee and Leon Thomas as the headline acts. Acts for day 2 are DJ Lochive, Elaine, Akio, DJ Nkosh, Khuli Chana, Holly Rey, Nia Pearl, Tortured Soul, Sun El Musician and Muzi. The first Hey Neighbour festival created major impressions among festival goers, but it seems that this year's lineup might be struggling to live up to the high expectations. Hopeful attendees aren't too impressed with some of the local artists being brought to perform at the festival. @Shaun_thefirst tweeted: 'Guys who is making these decisions!!??' 'Bona themselves do they listen to Holly Rey? Have they ever picked their phone up to play a Holly Rey song? Would you leave your house to go listen to Holly Rey? Name me 5 Holly Rey songs.' However, Holly Rey clapped back and reminded the critic that her music is being listened to by her fans and she is deserving of being on the lineup. 'My bank account, Spotify streams and multiple songs that have gone multi platinum, in more then just Mzansi, would beg to differ, but who am I to argue with a wanna be DJ who puts 'umthandi wegqom' as their bio.' Fans of the festival have mixed reactions to the artists being announced and are making it known. @Miggs_NotMigos said: 'The hey neighbour lineup has me in stitches. 😭 so they spent their whole budget on Central Cee & Doja.. 😭😭' @SupremeShae said: 'Hey Neighbour day 2 line up is looking shaky🤣 only committing to Doja cause my homie wants to see her.' @Cocobby02 said: 'Hey Neighbour's marketing team is probably going through it. Every artist announcement is received with immediate backlash. I really hope they have more up their sleeves.' Hey Neighbour organisers, this year have made changes such as the festival being over two days instead of three. The festival will take place at Legends Adventure Farm, Pretoria on August 30 - 31.
